Barn owls have an air of mystery around them. Superstition shrouds these birds as either symbols of purity or bad omens. But you're unlikely to see one anytime soon as they come into conflict with man-made dangers. For the past 30 years, David Ramsden has worked at the Barn Owl Trust to protect the species in the United Kingdom.
“Owl numbers around the world have gone down and it’s up to us to save them,” Ramsden says. As the head of conservation at the trust, he leads the team in education, research, and environmental campaigning and has authored a book on preserving the birds. Barn owls face numerous hazards. The raptors feed on rodents infected by common pesticides, falling victim to the poison themselves. Juvenile owls are at risk of being hit by cars and trucks when leaving their nests and home ranges. Further threatened by habitat loss and food scarcity, human intervention is essential to conserving barn owls.
“It’s so important for the continuation of humankind that we get people to understand that we are completely dependent on nature,” Ramsden says. “The Barn Owl Trust is all about trying to encourage people to connect with the natural world and help to conserve it.” With the organisation, he educates others on how to use nestboxes to give owls a safe habitat. Nestboxes are usually placed away from major roadways and prevent the nests from being cut down and destroyed in logging or tree felling. In addition to this, the trust uses GPS tracking to keep an eye on the population size of owls in the UK and monitor where they are at risk. They also provide essential rescue and rehabilitation for sick and injured owls.
With the Barn Owl Trust, Ramsden demonstrates the importance and impact of protecting even just one species. Through the support of sanctuaries and civilians, barn owls have the opportunity to thrive. “We have to grab every chance we have to change the way we live, try and achieve sustainability, to never be scared,” Ramsden says. “If you can do that then you are securing the future for your children and your grandchildren.”
Footage by the Barn Owl Trust was used in the creation of this film.
