BOESS Course
Barn Owl Ecology, Surveys and Signs course
Our online BOESS training course can be worked through at your own pace. Each module of the course is made up of video presentations and multiple-choice questions. Our team are available via email, phone or Zoom to support you during the course and afterwards (Monday-Friday 10:00-16:00).
This comprehensive course consists of five modules:
- Barn Owl Ecology
- Legal Protection, Licence Applications and Minimising Disturbance
- Survey Methodology and Search Procedures
- Evidence of Occupation
- Mitigation and Planning
We advise allowing 10-15 hours to complete this course.
We recommend our online course as the best way to learn about Barn Owl ecology and surveys. If you have any questions about the course, please email kaye@barnowltrust.org.uk.
Practical add-on sessions
Successful completion of the BOESS online course qualifies you to attend a practical training session in Devon on minimising disturbance, search procedure, and interpreting signs of occupation (£200 per person). In combination with the BOESS online course certificate, this training can form the basis for a reference for a CL29 licence application to Natural England. During the practical session, we will assess you for the reference. If you having passed the BOESS course and are interested in booking onto a practical training session, please email kaye@barnowltrust.org.uk.
Prices
The BOESS course costs £300 per person, which includes a copy of the Barn Owl Conservation Handbook for attendees within mainland UK. If you are outside of mainland UK and wish to receive a copy of the Handbook, please contact us on info@barnowltrust.org.uk or 01364 255 256 to arrange payment for postage.
The Barn Owl Trust offers a discounted rate of £250 per person to anyone whose salary is paid directly by a registered charity. If you would like to apply for this discount rate, please email kaye@barnowltrust.org.uk and attach your proof – for example, a redacted pay slip. Please note that this is the only discount available.
© All content of the BOESS Course* is Copyright, The Barn Owl Trust, Registered Charity No. 1201419
Barn Owl Licences
In combination with the certificate from the online BOESS course, successful completion of the add-on practical day can form the basis for a reference for the CL29 licence application for Natural England.
The certificate from the online BOESS course is considered in lieu of one reference for the Bird Survey licence application to NatureScot.
The four Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations have further information on their websites, covering:
- The CL29 Licence in England, with guidance notes for applying for protected species licence
- The Licence to Disturb Wild Birds Included on Schedule 1 in Wales
- The Bird Survey Licence in Scotland, with accompanying notes for survey and monitoring licences
- The Standard Wildlife Licence in Northern Ireland
For specific questions about applying for a licence to disturb Barn Owls, please contact your relevant country agency.
If you are looking to find an ecological consultancy or Barn Owl group to gain experience with in order to get a/another reference for a licence application, we have a directory on our website with all of our local contacts – you may find a useful contact near you.
Feedback from course participants
“I thought this was the best ecology-focused course I have done; it was interesting, informative, full of facts and the multiple test format was very challenging, which makes the passing of the course so much more rewarding.”
“I learnt such a lot, even the first few minutes of video really set the scene and was packed with information. There was a lot of heart came across from the presenters. I feel part of something now.”
“Thank you for a brilliant course! It’s not only informative, but empowering to surveyors in instilling confidence and clear guidelines to allow us to support the recovery and resilience of the UK barn owl population (and the species they are connected to).”
“I very much enjoyed it. Excellent learning material, well structured and very thorough.”