Barn Owl Talks for Adult Groups
Let the Barn Owl Trust come to you!
In-person visits are offered in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset only.
Online talks
All of our talks can be delivered online via Zoom/Teams/etc.
Climate and Ecological Crisis? – What’s all the fuss about?
A talk by David Ramsden, MBE. Please note this is not a Barn Owl Trust talk.
Do we really need to be concerned about all the heatwaves and storms we keep hearing about? Surely these things have always happened? David’s presentation gives an introduction and up to date overview.
This talk is offered to groups free of charge. Please contact us to book and for details.
Barn Owl Talks
We offer 3 different presentations about Barn Owls and their conservation, in-person for local adult groups in the South West (UK) and via Zoom/Teams for audiences further afield. Each one lasts around 60 minutes with time for questions, but can be flexible to meet your group’s requirements. We use strikingly visual slideshows to illustrate our talks and provide all the equipment needed (screen, projector etc.). See below for costs and how to book. Please note: We do not take Barn Owls to these talks or events.
Not part of a group? Please take a look at our events page for our seasonal open guided walks.
All donations from our talks and events help the conservation of wild Barn Owls.
Restoring the Balance
The first of the 3 Barn Owl talks takes a look at Barn Owl ecology and the causes behind the decline of this iconic farmland bird. It explores wider environmental issues that have impacted Barn Owls and encourages the consideration of how we can reduce these impacts. The second half of the talk looks at Barn Owl conservation and the positive work of the Trust. The talk offers an excellent overview of Barn Owls and the environment that will suit any general interest or special interest groups.
The Lennon Legacy Project – creating ‘Barn Owl heaven’
The Lennon Legacy Project (LLP) talk is offered as a follow-up to Restoring the Balance, and has proved to be equally popular. We strongly recommend that new groups have the Restoring the Balance talk before the LLP talk which works well as a natural follow-on.
The LLP is 26 acres of land, adjacent to the Trust’s offices in Devon, which we purchased with a generous legacy received out-of-the-blue in 2001 from Ms. Vivienne Lennon. Thanks entirely to Vivienne, we have been able to change 26 acres of intensively grazed sheep pasture into 26 acres of ‘Barn Owl Heaven’. The LLP talk tells the story of this transformation and the resulting increases in wildlife.
Guided walks around the Lennon Legacy Project (LLP) reserve
Want to visit us?
Groups that have received the first two talks are welcome to book a visit to see ‘Barn Owl heaven’ for themselves. After a short introduction, we will take you on a gentle walk around the LLP, before returning to the Trust buildings for refreshments. The whole visit lasts between 2 to 3 hours, and is priced per person depending on what refreshments you choose (tea or coffee and biscuits or a Devon cream tea).
Please note: parking is very limited. We can accommodate an absolute maximum of 15 cars. The ideal group size is 10-15 people. If you have more than 20 we suggest you split into 2 groups for the walk.
Safer Rodent Control
This 3rd talk is for groups that are specifically interested in how to avoid using the highly toxic rodenticides that are commonly deployed in rodent control. It was created especially for farmers, at the request of The Wildlife Trusts.
The talk content includes an introduction to Barn Owls and then moves on to cover the wider impact of rodenticides, the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime, and the UK Code of Best Practice, as advocated by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU). The talk finishes by highlighting some of the practical aspects of safer rodent control.
All donations from our talks and events help the conservation of wild Barn Owls.
Cost and how to book
Restoring the Balance and Lennon Legacy Project talks
If you are interested in a Barn Owl talk for your local group, please contact us for more information and to discuss possible dates.
Most in-person talks are given in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. The cost is a suggested minimum donation and depends on the travel distance from our base at Ashburton, on the edge of Dartmoor. We occasionally give talks further afield, including in mainland Europe (e.g. at the World Owl Conference). Talks are also available via Zoom and other online platforms.
Suggested minimum donation:
- £50 Online
- £50 Parishes of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh
- £75 Within 40 miles (driving distance) of The Barn Owl Trust, TQ13 7HU
- £80 Within 50 miles (driving distance) of The Barn Owl Trust, TQ13 7HU
- £85 Within 60 miles (driving distance) of The Barn Owl Trust, TQ13 7HU
- £90 Within 100 miles (driving distance) of The Barn Owl Trust, TQ13 7HU
- £95 Within 120 miles (driving distance) of The Barn Owl Trust, TQ13 7HU
Guided walks in ‘Barn Owl Heaven’ with refreshments or Devon Cream Tea
- Guided walks for groups of between 10 and 20
- Suggested donation of £8 per person for the walk with tea and biscuits to follow, or £10 per person for the walk with a Devon Cream Tea. Other refreshment options are available.
- We offer substantial cost-reductions for Friends of the Barn Owl Trust.
- We can also offer a Barn Owl talk in our Meeting Room before a guided walk – or instead of, if the weather is unsuitable (with prior arrangement).
Bespoke talks and events
We are happy to create specialist talks or unique events, tailored to your group, business or organisation’s requirements, in a beautiful rural environment in South Devon.
Examples of what we can offer:
- Corporate team building activities
- Practical conservation work
- Wildlife walks
- Barn Owl talks & presentations
- Creative craft workshops
- Nestbox workshops
- Barn Owl survey courses
Apprentices from Western Power Distribution spent four days here building an aviary and a footpath
Axe Valley Centre National Trust Group joined us for a walk and cream tea
Making Barn Owl nestboxes
Stunning venue: Our peaceful 26 acre nature reserve, managed for Barn Owls – the Lennon Legacy Project – is right on the edge of wild Dartmoor. Our lovely Meeting Room is a purpose built, wood-lined room able to comfortably accommodate up to 30 people.
Take your time: Events can be designed to run for a few hours or a few days, depending on your timescale and the season.
Enjoy refreshments including delicious lunches, home-made cakes and yummy Devon cream teas. Different dietary options can be provided as required.
Please contact us with your details to discuss your requirements and find out how we can provide your group with a unique and memorable experience.
Feel good… help Barn Owl conservation, learn, enjoy, work and play together!