Barn Owls
Where do they live? Barn Owls nest in quiet barns, outbuildings and hollow trees. Areas of low-lying, rough tussocky grassland where lots of small mammals live must surround these buildings or trees.
What do they eat? Mice, shrews and voles are Barn Owls favourite food though they do sometimes eat frogs and other birds!
How do they catch their food? Barn Owls usually hunt at night, however if they have chicks to feed they can be seen hunting during the day.They have a silent flight that helps them listen for their prey and also give the prey little warning of the owl’s approach.
Are they here all year? Yes.
Why are they declining? Barn Owls are now much less common than they used to be for a number of reasons. Large prairie-like fields where few rodents can survive have replaced traditional grassland. This has also forced the owls to hunt on roadside verges; passing cars kills some birds. Nest sites have been lost through barns falling down or being converted into homes. Modern farm buildings have few potential nest sites.
What can be done to help? There are many ways in which we can aid the conservation of Barn Owls. Many farmers are incorporating nest boxes into new farm buildings. In good habitat areas where there are no suitable nest sites, boxes mounted on poles or in trees have been successful.
Nightjars
Where do they live? The Nightjar is a rare bird found on heathland. It is not seen often as it flies at night; during the day it stays completely still, either sitting on a branch or on the ground. Its mottled brown feathers make it really difficult to see and are excellent camouflage from predators like foxes.
What do they eat? Nightjars eat night flying insects such as moths and midges.
How do they catch their food? Nightjars have extremely good eyesight to see insects in the dark. The stiff bristles on either side of the mouth help brush insects into the mouth.
Are they here all year? Nightjars only live in this country during the summer. In autumn they fly to Africa to spend the winter in a warm country.
Why are they declining? Nightjars have become rare due to the loss of heathland across the country. Some heathland has been planted for forestry, or converted to farmland; some has been neglected and has naturally regenerated to woodland.
Bats
Where do they live? Bats are nocturnal, which means they fly at night and rest during the day. They will rest in crevices on houses, under roof tiles etc, in caves, mineshafts and in holes in old trees.
What do they eat? Bats eat night flying insects such as moths, midges and beetles. A good place to look for bats is near a pond where lots of midges hatch from the pond.
How do they catch their food? Although bats can see, to overcome the difficulty of finding insects in the dark they use a special sense called echolocation. This is where they emit lots of high frequency sounds (that humans can not hear), these sounds bounce off objects in their path and the bat hears the returning echo. Through this they can make a kind of sound picture of their surroundings and are able to tell if there is an insect nearby.
Are they here all year? Bats go into torpor during the winter, this is where they shut their bodies right down so their hearts beat very slowly and they use very little energy.
Why are they in decline? Bats are very sensitive to chemical treatments people use in lofts, if they come into contact with these they often die. There has also been a general loss of habitat for them. There are fewer old trees for them to roost in; old mine shafts are covered up.
What can be done to help? Bat boxes, specially designed like a bird box but with a slit opening in the base, can be put up on trees or the side of houses to provide artificial roost sites. Old mine shafts and cavities are now closed off using an iron grill to allow bats but not humans to get in and out.
Adders
Where do they live? Adders are cold-blooded animals whose body temperature is controlled by their environment. They are often found in areas of heathland where there are sunny but sheltered areas for them to bask in the sun.
What do they eat? Adders eat small mammals, particularly voles, also lizards, frogs, newts, birds eggs, snails and insects.
How do they catch their food? Adders are the only venomous snakes in Britain. They strike their prey, inject venom and then release it, following its scent until it is dead or dying then swallows it whole. If you see an adder (they have a zigzag pattern along their backs) watch from a distance! The venom is unlikely to kill you but if you were to get bitten you should seek medical advice quickly.
Are they here all year? Adders hibernate during winter, often in places such as rabbit holes. Quite often several adders will hibernate together.
Why are they in decline? Adders are in decline mainly due to a loss of suitable habitat.
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