Overview
The Wirral Barn Owl Trust, founded in 1999, works to protect the declining barn owl population on the Wirral peninsula. After rising to 42 pairs by 2012, numbers have fallen again to 13 pairs, threatened by habitat loss and severe weather. Relying solely on donations, the Trust’s conservation efforts include installing nest boxes, monitoring owl activity, collaborating with farmers, and educating the public to secure a sustainable future for these iconic birds.
The Wirral Barn Owl Trust was established in 1999 when only one breeding pair of barn owls remained on the Wirral peninsula. Through conservation efforts, including over 150 nest box installations, the population rose to 42 pairs by 2012. Sadly, numbers have declined again, with just 13 breeding pairs recorded last year, as wet weather and habitat loss threaten this iconic species—a trend echoed across the UK.
Today, the Trust faces the challenge of reversing this decline once again. Led by passionate individuals like Neil Eaton, a retired police detective, the team works tirelessly to protect and monitor the barn owl population across the Wirral. Without government funding, the Trust relies solely on donations to carry out essential conservation work.
The Wirral Barn Owl Trust’s work includes installing and maintaining nest boxes, monitoring owl pairs and sightings, providing food during extreme weather, collaborating with farmers to preserve habitats, working with local authorities to protect barn owl sites, and delivering talks to local schools.
Recently, the need to replace many of the original nest boxes, now deteriorated due to weather exposure, has become urgent. The Trust plans to replace 25 damaged nest boxes with weather-resistant, eco-friendly boxes. Each box will cost £350, covering materials, installation, and maintenance, and will provide safe, long-lasting nesting environments for barn owls.
The £3,500 grant from the John Good Group will significantly support funding for these new boxes, which are essential to creating a sustainable future for the Wirral’s barn owl population, helping to safeguard one of Britain’s most beloved bird species for generations to come.
Being shortlisted is incredible. We are a small, high impact charity open to all voluntary sector leaders across South Yorkshire. Many of the charities we support are small or medium sized organisations, the smallest being a food bank and community larder operating from the founder’s own house.
Support for us means support for a wide range of diverse charities from across the region, resulting in a significant impact for a large number of communities and service users.
Martin Singer
