Hi and welcome to my Blog, my name is Paul Riddle and I live in south Leicestershire, UK. Back in August 2007 my quest began to locate as many local Little Owl territories as possible. The driving force was a reported decline in the uk numbers so I thought I would do my bit and conduct a study in my area. After 7 years and countless hours out in the field I have detected over 200 different sites. With a thirst for a greater understanding of the owls a more comprehensive monitoring and nest box programme then commenced. This also now includes monitoring the local and very sparse population of Barn Owls, please pop back occasionally and catch up with the life and times of my owls and any other wildlife that I come across. I hope you enjoy your visit!!!

Monday, 8 February 2010

Propowlty Portfolio Expands.

Same again Sunday, a whole day erecting nest boxes, 4 more today taking the weekend tally to 7 in total. Only another 13 to go, at this rate I should be done by middle of April!!!!!!!! On first impressions you would think 7-8 boxes could easily be put up in a single day.........oh how wrong I was, good job I'm not on piece work otherwise I’d be bloody skint! I must admit though, a quality hour or so was wasted taken up in the local country inn sampling a couple of pints of Guinness. This went down really quite well whilst reflecting on what a fantastic job was being done.......NOT!!!

Yours truly up another tree!!! This was obviously before the beer as there is no way I could possible pose like that on a ladder after a couple of pints!!!

Sunday - Box No 1, in an apple tree.

Sunday - Box No 2, on a an old fallen down willow tree, carried the ladder across 2 very large fields to this site and ended up putting the box up 4ft from the ground........what a plonker!

Production has really slowed now......"hic".....post beer!!!!!

Sunday - Box No 3, on the side of an old ash tree, this site produced 2 young in 2009

Sunday - Box No 4, again on an old ash tree, it will be a minor miracle if this box is still up!

Obviously the exact site locations will not be divulged but needless to say they are not far from the pub!!!!!
Many thanks to Daz Sibley, my drinking and box putting up partner for the day. 

2 comments:

  1. Hi Paul, just thought you would like to know that at least three Little Owls sites are now on or around Cossington Meadows!
    Maybe a nest box is required at this site!?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Dave, yes that would be a good idea. I will have to make a few vists to sus it out and then take it from there.

    ReplyDelete