From Barn Owls to Buzzards: Creating Homes for Raptors

This autumn marks an exciting new chapter for our rewilding work as we welcome Grace, our new Conservation Engagement Officer. Grace joins Chris Packham and the team to help guide the next steps for the land — from working with specialist ecologists to installing nest boxes that will give raptors a place to thrive.

Grace has already been out on site with raptor specialist Jimmy Hill of RaptorAid, exploring how the land can better support species such as barn owls, kestrels, tawny owls and buzzards. Jimmy’s practical knowledge is second to none: his nest box designs are tried and tested, used across the UK, and proven to give these magnificent birds the secure breeding sites they need.

Right now, there are no boxes on site. That will change by the end of September, when Jimmy returns to help us put the first ones up. Careful positioning is key. Barn owls, for instance, prefer a clear flight path into a box facing an open field, while tawny owls are best placed deep within woodland. A top tip from Jimmy: install tawny owl boxes in pairs, just 10–20 metres apart. The female will use one to nest, while the male shelters nearby, keeping in touch with soft daytime hoots. A simple tweak that greatly increases success.

But habitat is about more than nest sites. As Chris explains, the way grassland is managed also plays a vital role. Allowing areas to grow, fall, and decompose creates a thick thatch where voles and mice thrive. These small mammals are the staple diet of many raptors; so by letting the land get a little “rougher,” we’re boosting the prey base that will sustain barn owls, kestrels and buzzards alike.

It’s a reminder that rewilding is about working with natural cycles: life, death, decay and renewal. From the leaf litter on woodland floors to the thatch of old grass in fields, every layer provides shelter and food for different species. By giving nature space to recover, we’re creating a landscape where raptors and countless other creatures can return and flourish.

With Grace on board and nest boxes soon to be installed, this is just the beginning of our raptor story. We’ll be following their progress closely in the months ahead. Stay tuned to see how the land, and its new residents take flight.