We have a fantastic update from Peter highlighting a couple of recent, wildlife-focused projects that have just been deployed in our local area. It is always incredibly rewarding to see the Shed’s handiwork making a tangible difference to local conservation efforts.
New Homes for Barn Owls in Milland
Peter recently completed two beautiful new owl boxes. A couple of weeks ago, the rangers from the South Downs National Park (SDNP) stepped in to help install the first of these for a local resident over in Milland. As you can see in the photo, the spacious wooden box is now safely secured high up in a sturdy, ivy-covered tree, ready to provide a safe nesting space for its new feathered tenants.
The “Men’s Shed Cattle Trough Frame”
Along with the owl boxes, the Milland resident also requested one of Peter’s special, lifesaving creations: the unofficial “Men’s Shed Patent Cattle Trough Frame”.
Peter has built a couple of these clever wooden frames now, and they serve a vital purpose. Barn owls have incredibly soft plumage that offers absolutely no protection against getting waterlogged. If they accidentally venture into a steep-sided cattle trough for a drink and fall in, they are unable to fly out and can easily drown.
By installing these floating, fitted wooden frames inside the metal troughs, it provides the owls with a safe, grippy surface to land on and easily climb back out of the water. It’s a simple woodworking solution to a serious hazard, ensuring the local birds stay safe.
A massive well done to Peter for his brilliant work on these wildlife projects.
