24th July 2015
AN exciting return of barn owls has been heralded by Moorland Association members at Mossy Lea estate in Glossop.
Gamekeeper on the moor managed for grouse shooting, John Conway, explained good land management, including tree planting and general conservation, had led to an overall increase in wildlife.
He said: “It’s all great news, but the recent appearance of the once fairly common barn owl has got the whole team buzzing.
“I saw them for the first time around six weeks ago and have been keeping an eye on them.
“We know there are four fledglings, but there could be one more. It’s the first time in years I have known them to nest here.”
John said the exact location of the nest was a closely guarded secret, but revealed it was in a rock face crevice.
The parent birds have also been seen looking for prey in hay meadows further down the valley, he added.
Attempts are being made to ring the birds to keep a check on their future movements. Barn owls used to be fairly common in open countryside, but barn conversions and fewer outbuildings have led to their gradual decline.
John is hoping the barn owls will remain in the local countryside and the chicks will one day produce fledglings of their own.
