Owl Talk to raise funds for Conservation!
This summer arsonists struck in the small village of Compton Dundon in Somerset; destroying a hay barn, and with it a nest of young Barn Owls. Desperate villagers called in my help, and I quickly arranged for a new nesting box to be put up in the vicinity of the original barn in the hope that the parent birds would breed again. Unfortunately, despite the parents visiting the box, the disturbance was just too much for them to lay another clutch this year, but hopefully they will do so next Spring.
The community were so pleased to receive help and reassurance during this upsetting time that they clubbed together and raised more than £100 towards the conservation work that the Hawk and Owl Trust carry out here in the west country. I immediately offered my time free of charge to give an owl talk for the community as a Thank You for both their concern over the fate of the owls and for raising much-needed funds for our conservation work. I was delighted by how much this community cared about their owls, and I just wanted to give something back to them.
When enquiring about the use of the Village Hall, however, I found that spiralling fuel costs have caused hire charges to escalate and it would now cost £70 to hire the hall for the evening of my talk. I then hit upon the idea of charging £2 per person at the door to cover the costs, and any extra would be given to the Hawk and Owl Trust. Other volunteers then offered to help out on the evening and the event will now include refreshments, raffle and a range of very unusual wildlife-related gifts in time for Christmas.
This talk (including live owls) is open to everyone, and will take place on Friday 21st November 2008, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, in Meadway Hall, Ham Lane, Compton Dundon, Somerton, Somerset. TA11 6PQ.
All funds will go to the Hawk and Owl Trust, so please come along and support us!
Owl Prowls
This is the best chance to watch and listen for wild owls. If you want to a make a group booking then I can more than likely come to your area to do the Owl prowl. However if you wish I can choose an area myself. I will take individuals on Owl prowls as well, so please e mail with your requests and I will and fit in with your circumstances and needs. There are some Owl prowls booked in already via esblishments.
The Owl prowl itself is an evening/night walk in the countryside or even in the middle of a city depending on where you want it. The objective is to see or listen to Owls in their own natural environment.
As with the Owl prowls we first enjoy the atmosphere of early evening in a English woodland just before dusk we settle down in a pre selected area were badgers can be watched with ease and security for them and you. The Badger Setts I watch are not artificial fed or baited to encourage them to come out, or indeed will we be watching them from a shed or covered area, this is the real wild experience. When the Badgers come out they will be wild and therefore carrying out genuine natural behavior. E mail me info@chrissperring.com if this interests you. I can take group or individual bookings on this adventure.
