Owls set up home at museum

12:20am Friday 5th September 2008

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A FAMILY of barn owls has shown they don’t give a hoot where they live after nesting in the roof of a Pitsea museum.

Two adults – together with their four young chicks – have been spotted living in the wall, at the motorboat museum in Wat Tyler Country Park.

The owls moved into their new home after council staff cut a nesting hole in the museum’s roof.

With their heart-shaped face, pure white bellies and pale golden back and wings, the owls are easy to recognise.

They have been caught on camera for the first time, emerging from their home to hunt mice, voles and shrews.

Steve Prewer, countryside services manager for Basildon Council, said: “We cut a hole in the museum’s wall to encourage barn owls to breed in the park.

“It’s quite unusual to see them nesting in such a busy place, and their appearance is a real treat for visitors.”

Five species of owl have been recorded at Wat Tyler, including short-eared owls tawny owls and the rare long-eared owl.