Conservation Work


Conservation has been at the heart of our work since we began. We are involved in a number of projects both at home and overseas.

How we began

The Scottish Owl Centre owes its origins to a survey of Barn Owl nest sites which Rod Angus conducted in Kintyre for the British Trust for Ornithology back in 1995. This, together with a study of breeding Short-eared Owls at the local RAF airfield, so captured his imagination that he established a permanent conservation scheme and so began the work of the Owl Centre. Close links were then forged with the World Owl Trust at Muncaster Castle in Cumbria and in particular with Tony Warburton, director of the World Owl Trust, who's ongoing advice and support has been invaluable.

Our current work

After the survey of 1995-97, Kintyre became recognised as a nationally important stronghold for the Barn Owl. As well as the ongoing monitoring of the Barn Owl population, we advise local farmers and landowners on suitable sites for nest boxes.

We also support the World Owl Trust in its work with the Philippine Eagle Owl. This involves research and the establishing of a viable captive breeding population in the face of possible extinction in the wild.

In addition we are involved in the captive breeding programme for the highly endangered Ashy-faced Owl from the island of Hispaniola. It is thought that conservation captive breeding may offer the best chance for the future survival of this species.