Birdwatching

CLEAN UP FIELDS


Barn Owls (Tyto alba) and Common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) are being encouraged by farmers in Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian authority to control agricultural pest instead of using harmful chemicals. The two species provide round the clock predation of mice, rats and voles and have been used throughout history as natural pest controllers. A pair of Barn Owls alone can eat over 2.000 rodents in a year.




Israel is very important for birds of prey, raptors living here year round are joined by migrants which soar through on thermals in the spring, and birds which stay the winter. In 1997 large numbers of raptors were accidentally poisoned in Israel's Bet she'an and Hulas valleys after eating prey which contained harmful levels of pesticides.



We need an alternative to using chemicals, and knew that Barn Owls and Common Kestrels two of the most abundant raptors living in Israel have been used as agricultural pest controllers around the world. However, modern development has reduced the number of suitable nest sites available in barns, attics and deserted buildings. This was easily remedied by proving nest boxes which were eagerly inhabited by the birds.



The first boxes were erected for Barn Owls of an environmentally friendly kibbutz sde eliyahu(common farm) in the betshe'an valley. Boxes have now been peppered throughout the vally, and 70% are occupied by owls. Estimate that Barn Owls are removing at least 80.000 rodents from bet she'an's fields each year. This has ensured a reduction in the damage pesticides cause to people, soil, water, wildlife and migrating birds.

The successful project was soon expanded to also include Common Kestrels, with nesting boxes erected throughout Israel. Kestrels hunt during the day and Barn <owls at night. This constant 24 hour threat of predation has caused changes in the pest's behaviour and resulting in less crop damage.

During 2005-2008 the project was expanded beyond the borders of Israel, and 37 nesting boxes were erected in Jordanian fields to the east of the Jordan River. In the Muslim tradition, Barn Owls symbolize bad luck and many of the jordanian farmers were hesitanr to cooperate at first. Once a few jordanian farmers used Barn Owls instead of chemical pesticides with tremendois success, others were quick to follow suit and were proud of the Barn Owls attracted to their fields by the nesting boxes.

The success of using birds of prey to control rodents now continues to go from strength to strength. In Israel the General Directors of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environmental Protection decided to promote a three year national project (2008-2010) using Barn Owls and Common Kestrels countrywide.... Let hope the next country will Be.........??????