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A young kestrel is ringed

HAMPSHIRE-based charity, The Hawk Conservancy Trust, is inviting people to contribute towards the conservation of raptors and owls in the wild by supporting the construction, installation and monitoring of nest boxes via their Fund-a-Bird scheme.

The lack of suitable nest sites has caused a population decline for several bird of prey species in the UK over the last 50 years.

And, although, otherwise suitable, habitats may exist, without nest sites and breeding success populations are likely to decline further.

Following habitat surveys and liaison with landowners, the nest boxes will be installed in suitable habitats in Hampshire and Wiltshire where they will help four species - barn owls, kestrels, tawny owls and little owls.

This work will complement and extend the trust's conservation work with the Imber Conservation Group and the Barn Owl Conservation Network. Staff from the science and conservation department of the trust will maintain and monitor the nest sites throughout the year, and hatching chicks will be ringed with British Trust for Ornithology rings so their future progress can be monitored.

Supporters of the scheme will receive an annual report which describes the activities in their boxes over the year, an overview of the whole project and information about the research work associated with the scheme and other trust projects.

They will also get a certificate, booklet about the Hawk Conservancy Trust and factsheets about the four bird species.

In addition, each supporter and a guest will be able to visit the trust for a day. The visit will include a morning presentation on the Fund-a-Bird scheme and a trip to the trust's wildflower meadow to discuss habitat for birds of prey and nest box installation.

These visits will be available on specific dates throughout the year.

The names of all supporters will be displayed at the trust to show their support of the scheme.

And schools, colleges or groups within a 30-mile area of the trust which join the scheme, can be visited by members of the trust who will give a presentation about the project.

The cost of supporting Fund-a-Bird is £130 per year.

For more information please telephone 01264 773850, or visit www.hawk-conservancy.org

11:45am Thursday 27th March 2008

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