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Barn owl revival is under way |
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| Barn
owls seem to be making a recovery in Devon |
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A
'census' of barn owls in Devon suggests the population could be increasing
again after years of decline.
However, they're still not out of the woods yet. |
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Could
the beautiful barn owl be making a long-awaited recovery after a century
of decline?
The plight of the barn owl has seen their numbers in the UK reduced
by almost
three-quarters during the 20th century.
Loss of habitat and food - caused by land development and changes
in farming methods - has left the owls fighting for survival.
But, at long last, there are signs of a revival here in Devon, with
the first rise in their numbers for 100 years.
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| A
barn owl family enjoys a meal |
The
Ashburton-based charity, the Barn Owl Trust, has published the results
of a survey carried out at over 1,000 barn owl sites reported in the
last 10 years.
The charity found 281 nests and 358 roosts, and estimates there are
between 350 and 470 pairs in the county.
That's an increase of 37% since the previous survey carried out in
1993.
This latest survey was conducted during 2003, and included every district
in the county.
There were significant increases in the South Hams, Teignbridge, North
Devon and East Devon - where conservation work is clearly paying off.
However, there is concern in West Devon, where there has been a big
decline in barn owl numbers.
David Ramsden of the Barn Owl Trust said: "It's gratifying to
see that the conservation work by groups like ourselves and concerned
members of the public are paying off.
"But we have a long way to go before seeing a barn owl in Devon
becomes as commonplace as it was in the 19th century."
Article published: 29th June 2004
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