Conservation - it's all about people, really

One of best things I learned from our summer owl experience was that community conservation is as much about people as it is about nature. I can't count the number of locals who stopped me in the road to enquire about the new residents, the number of excited text messages and emails I received, the flurry of visits from friends old and new all eager to catch a glimpse of the babies learning to fly and hunt, the near constant requests for new photos and updates on this blog, the donations of colourful owl drawings from children... More often than not, I'd arrive home in the evening to find at least one person camped out in my driveway with a pair of binoculars!

Neighbours I never knew had even the slightest interest in wildlife were telling me how they'd been out watching the owls every night and shared details they'd observed of their daily habits. Farmers - often assumed to be skeptical of all things 'birds and bees' - were genuinely delighted, and many pledged to erect their own nest boxes to accommodate this family's offspring. It was a revelation. I was so heartened to see how these beautiful creatures could connect and inspire so many local people.
                                               
                                      

Though I regret not taking as many as I could have done, these photos give some insight into the fun we had with pellets and binoculars and my mum's telescope, the latter of which facilitated 'civilised' bird watching from the comfort of our dining room (with gin and tonics, of course).