Owl be your Friend!

St. Botolph’s is a charming Grade I listed church of local flint, whose origins date back to Anglo-Saxon times. It came under the wing of the CCT in April 2013, and by February of this year a programme of extensive repairs was begun at the site, including a complete re-roofing, extensive masonry work, re-wiring and new drainage.

Unfortunately the little owls that usually nest in a cavity within the church’s gable wall have been forced to find a new home while these repairs are carried out. Neighbours living in the vicarage kindly set up a brand new nest box for the birds, which they happily adopted.

Everything was gliding along smoothly until one morning when a battered youngster was discovered below the box, presumably attacked by its larger siblings. The poor owl had an injured eye and wing, and was rushed to the nearest bird hospital at Sidlesham for treatment.

Although for a while the bird’s future was uncertain, the CCT has been informed that the little owl survived its ordeal. Whether or not the owl will be able to safely return to St. Botolph’s without fear of further injury remains in doubt, however.

Happily, Sheila and David from Batbox Ltd., who protect wildlife in the area, have told the Trust: “If they think that it might not be accepted back in the area (as they are quite territorial), it will be released in another safe haven.”