BARN owls are keeping the peace at a natural burial ground in Powys, after its owners were thrilled to discover that the majestic nocturnal creatures were breeding in specialist boxes built during lockdown.
Award-winning Hay Meadow Burial Ground, located in Glascwm, is run by Sarah and Richard Vale. The couple introduced bird boxes during the pandemic and were amazed to discover local barn owls have been nurturing their offspring at the site.
Three sets of owlets have been found recently in each of the two boxes. They’ve been keeping watch at an area where one is located, which Sarah nicknamed ‘Owl’s Oak’, a spot overlooking a plot which one family picked for their mother, who loved owls.
“We have several residents buried in this area who loved owls so it’s very fitting for the families,” said Sarah.
“It’s been an amazing experience to find out that both the boxes have been successfully breeding for several years and that we presently have 3 owlets in each box.
“We only put both the owl boxes up during lockdown as it was something extra to do.
“Then, a few months later, a family called to do with a burial for their mother who told me how much she loved barn owls too, and they chose (for her) to be buried by the oak with the box in the burial ground.
“That moment the name came to my mind for the area, Owls Oak.
OTHER NEWS:
- Lloyds announces closure of Powys branch as part of wave of new cuts
- Meet the Powys company that plays a vital role in Glastonbury Festival
- Yellow lines set to be painted in Powys village to tackle shoddy parking
“We never believed we would have been so successful as we could see squirrels hanging around, thinking they had taken any chicks; we were so surprised to find out that both boxes had chicks.”
Sarah and Richard have since been in touch with the Powys Species Habitat Protection Group, based in Llandinam, which is set up and licensed to protect local barn owls.
Sarah said: “It was an idea that we just had as we all love barn owls and we knew they were around as we could hear them at night, which often made the dogs bark.
“The charity got in touch with us earlier in the year, after seeing our Facebook posts, and they came out with plans to come back in June to ring the chicks.”
One of the owl boxes can be observed by the couple from their house, while the other is nestled in an oak tree in the Owls Oak area of Hay Meadow.
“They are cute and it’s been such a special thing to have been able to hold one, something we shall both never forget,” said Sarah.
“Somehow we have created a home for them that they love and so I will be getting Rich to build some more boxes.”
The owls have even been earning their keep too, patrolling for mice and rats. “We haven't seen a mouse or rat for ages,” added Sarah.
“We think that the owls are catching the mice. We are finding feathers in our yard as they go over the house and barns.
“There’s no way we would put poison out so something’s sorting out an old problem we did have as we can't believe the lazy cats are working that hard.”
The couple say they are also lucky to have been able to call on the skills of talented young photographer Jamie Smart, who lives nearby.
Known as Eagle Eyed Girl, Jamie, like Sarah and Richard, also has several accolades to her name, having won multiple RSPCA Young Photographer Awards in recent years.
To find out more about Hay Meadow, email info@haymeadowburialground.co.uk, visit haymeadowburialground.co.uk or check out their Facebook page.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here