Thas A Fact?

As if the host of wonderful shops, workshops, cafe and therapy room wasn’t enough to encourage you to visit Creake Abbey Studios this summer, there is now an added attraction that will be of particular interest to those nature-lovers among you.

A Date With Nature - Barn Owls

White Barn Owls are a regular visitor to one of the barns at Creake Abbey Studios in North Creake, so much so that this year, the RSPB installed a camera in one of the boxes they nest in. Just to demonstrate that while we may be able to observe these stunning wild creatures, we cannot control them, the owls consequently decided to nest in the other available box! When the time was right, the camera was moved, and now provides a live feed from the nesting box onto a television in the nearby exhibition trailer, where you can watch the birds.

What can you expect to see we hear you ask? Well, depending on the time of day, you can be privvy to the owls’ family life as they come and go and raise their young. You can also chat with the RSPB representatives about all things bird-related. If you visit in the evening, you might be able to spot Daddy Owl hunting across the nearby fields before returning to the nest box to feed his baby. Ringed so he can be tracked, Dad is a native to the locale – he was born down the road in South Creake!

There is a slightly sad (and grim) aside to this story that serves to illustrate the delicate balance of nature, including these majestic birds. Originally, there were 5 chicks this year but it has been a poor vole season apparently and there was not enough food to go around. So one chick ate the other four (we warned you it was grim). This remaining (presumably strongest/largest) chick is the only one still to remain.

The event runs 7 days a week from 5 June until 29 August 2010, from 11am until dusk. It is totally free to visit.

View ADWN barn owl (PDF) for further information about the Date With Nature at Creake Abbey Studios or visit www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/

Barn Owls - Hunters Not Haunters!