A WILDLIFE trust in Gloucestershire has joined the campaign to save the barn owl.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is issuing barn owl adoption packs as part of a bid to stop the bird’s dramatic decline in numbers.

Low numbers of barn owls are being reported nationally and are thought to be a result of the loss of traditional nest sites and shortage of rough grassland habitat.

In response to the barn owl crisis, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is hoping to establish 60 nest boxes in the animal’s prime habitat to help boost their recovery across the county.

Boxes will be monitored and chicks will be ringed as an essential research tool into the lives and behaviours of individual birds.

Barn owl enthusiasts have the option to join this initiative by adopting a barn owl for £30. Included in the pack are a large barn owl soft toy, photograph of the barn owl, fact sheet about barn owls, a model to cut out and make, adoption certificate plus colouring-in sheets.

The boxes are sponsored by Forest Holidays, who provide cabin getaways in the Forest of Dean and other locations across England and Scotland.

Sales and marketing director at the company Jill Grinsted said: "At Forest Holidays, wildlife and the environment are of utmost importance and therefore we are delighted to support this excellent campaign by sponsoring barn owl adoption packs.

“The packs will be an essential fundraiser to ensure the success of the project. In addition, we are actively promoting awareness of barn owls through regular ranger walks, talks and presentations.”

For more information visit gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk.