Wallingford installs owl boxes to control rodents naturally

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Wallingford Town Council has installed owl nesting boxes at its allotments to encourage birds of prey to control rodents naturally.

Wallingford Town Council has installed owl nesting boxes at Fir Tree Allotments to encourage tawny owls and other birds of prey to naturally control rodent populations. The scheme was developed following discussions with the Allotments Association about managing vermin issues. Councillor Mike Acreman built the boxes, which are intended to enhance local biodiversity by providing nesting sites for owls.

Beyond the owl boxes, the council is promoting other eco-friendly measures at the allotments. It is promoting rainwater harvesting to reduce reliance on mains water, particularly following this year's hot and dry summer, and is considering installing a borehole to provide an alternative water supply for the plots.

The council's parks team recycles organic material into compost, which is used in the town's parks and gardens. Surplus compost is given to allotment holders to improve their soil, reducing the need for commercially produced compost and decreasing transport miles. The council's sustainable practices have been recognised in the Thames and Chilterns in Bloom 2026 Awards, with the town's floral displays receiving a Silver Award and Castle Gardens awarded Silver Gilt in the Parks and Green Spaces category.

Wallingford installs owl boxes to control rodents naturally — Image: Oxford Mail

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How it is being reported

Owl boxes introduced at allotments to tackle rodent problem naturallyWallingford Town Council's parks team installed the owl nesting boxes at Fir Tree Allotments to encourage birds of prey, like tawny owls.Oxford Mail · 16 Oct, 05:00
Owl boxes introduced at allotments to tackle rodent problem naturallyWallingford Town Council's parks team installed the owl nesting boxes at Fir Tree Allotments to encourage birds of prey, like tawny owls.Oxfordshire Guardian · 16 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Wallingford Town Council · Fir Tree Allotments · Mike Acreman · Nadine Mitschunas · BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

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