Nature Features

The bird has seen a sharp decline in numbers in recent years, as its nesting sites and food sources have dwindled.

The main pressure came in the recent property boom as many of the owl's favoured farmyard nesting sites have become barn conversions.

Robert Fuller, one of Britain's leading wildlife artists, decided to do more than simply paint his favourite bird. He has started building Barn Owl nesting boxes.

The boxes are installed across the East Yorkshire Wolds, with over 20 erected so far. The results have been dramatic with a doubling of nesting pairs in the area.

The increase in owls has been helped by local farmers leaving the edges of their fields covered in grass; to provide cover for the mice and voles that are a Barn Owl’s favourite food.

Robert and his wife Victoria have been siting their boxes on farms across the area with the support of local landowners.

They have set up the Wolds Barn Owl group and are aiming to install more than 50 boxes every year.