Members of Comber Rotary have been working closely with local schools to manufacture barn owl nest boxes as Ulster Wildlife calls for urgent action.
Barn owls are one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic, but endangered, species.
Over the last forty years, Ulster Wildlife has been working to protect Northern Ireland’s threatened wildlife. During recent times, the Rotary club has donated time to building nest boxes so the population can grow.
The organisation has teamed up with BBC Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the issue.
By working with young people in the area, members of Comber Rotary hope to promote further learning outdoors, which will benefit the children’s well-being.
Over the past few years, children have been inspired by Rotarians through a variety of seasonal educational activities. Many schools in the area have transformed their grounds to preserve wildlife.
It is estimated that there are currently with less than 30 to 50 breeding pairs left in Northern Ireland.
Most barn owls only breed once and produce, on average, only two and a half young – however, twenty-nine per cent of nests produce no young at all.
A giving page has been set up to reach a £20,000 target.
Without support, barn owls face an uncertain future in Northern Ireland.
Donations help secure existing nest sites, improve foraging habitats, up-skill volunteers and record more sightings.
