Owl Prowl 2011-2012

03 January 2012

London Wildlife Trust’s Owl Prowl survey continues into the spring of 2012. Many city dwellers are unaware that these shy birds can be found in the capital – usually in tranquil wooded areas or by open grasslands with hedgerows. We are calling on Londoners to let us know if they hear or see any owls over the forthcoming months at www.wildlondon.org.uk in order to raise awareness of the city’s owl populations and their conservation requirements.

Take part in our Owl Prowl 2011-2012!

As many as eight wild species of owl have been recorded in Greater London over recent decades. Of these, just one – the tawny owl – is a widespread breeding resident. Little owl, a 20th century ‘newcomer’, now breed in the suburban outskirts, such as Richmond Park, although a few pairs have been found further into the city. Barn owl, an iconic bird of traditional farmland, is hanging on as a rare breeder and can be seen venturing in London’s more rural fringes like west Hillingdon and Stanmore. Long-eared and short-eared owls are uncommon winter visitors and passage migrants usually found on expansive wetland reserves or in London’s outer eastern fringes around Dagenham and Rainham - which provide more suitable habitat. Short-eared owl also rarely breed in London.

In our original survey of 1985, 441 records were received from the public (12 for barn owl, 9 for little owl, 1 each for short- and long-eared owl, and the rest for tawny owl). From this data we estimated 105 pairs of tawny owl were living in London. We received records of tawny owl in Berkeley Square and Bloomsbury, a barn owl in Ealing, and little owl in Willesden Junction, and only one borough in London scored no sightings (City of London). Whilst Owl Prowl was in no way scientific, it did provide some baseline data. Our survey may detect any changes in the owl populations of London, and of course raise the profile of these elusive nocturnal hunters.

Mathew Frith, Deputy CEO of London Wildlife Trust, says,
‘Owls have always been present in London, but are rarely heard, let alone seen, by many. They have benefitted from the improved management of many of our parks, and the growing maturity of the urban forest of garden trees and railway woodlands. Nevertheless, the loss of brownfield sites, and the loss of garden vegetation pose threats to their survival in the inner city.

‘We and others have been managing nature reserves for many years to benefit owls, For example, the Chase Nature Reserve in Dagenham, which we managed from the mid-1980s, become a regular haunt for long-eared owl in the winter months of the 1990s and a well-known place to see them perching in poplar trees; for most winters there were an average of five birds. Short-eared owls still occasionally turn up at The Chase.

‘We hope as many people as possible will contribute to Owl Prowl. The presence of owls in London is indicative of the quality of natural habitats we have – especially woodlands, grasslands and brownfields - and if they are in decline it will highlight what measures we need to take to ensure their future survival.

‘London Wildlife Trust has worked to look after London’s nature – with the help of an army of committed volunteers - for 30 years, and Owl Prowl is one of the ways we are celebrating our 30th anniversary. We hope Londoners will celebrate this with us by helping us find out more about these fascinating birds of prey and securing their long-term residence in the city,’ adds Mathew.

Go to www.wildlondon.org.uk to find out how to identify London’s owls, for details of guided owl prowls in London and for information on how to build an owl nest box.

ENDS
For more information contact Kate Symonds or Catherine Harris on press@wildlondon.org.uk - 07834 867 420

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