Preserving the little owl, also known as the beauty with the golden eyes
The Aquarium-Muséum is helping to create and place nest boxes in an environment suited to the needs of the little owls.
Since 2019, Luscinia Nature ASBL has been actively involved in the preservation of the little owl, commonly known as "the beauty with the golden eyes".
Faced with the disappearance of its natural habitat, consisting mainly of former orchards and old fruit trees, the association's project aims to reverse this trend and encourage the nesting of this species in the Basse-Meuse region. The aim? To create an ecological network linking the Herve plateau to the Hesbaye.
To establish a stable population of little owls in the region, the Luscinia Nature ASBL team is implementing a number of actions, including:
- Prospecting for suitable sites.
- Raising awareness among farmers and landowners of the importance of conserving orchards.
- Making and placing suitable nest boxes to encourage nesting.
- Planting and maintaining trees.
- Targeting suitable areas based on their deterioration and the territory required per pair.
- Annual census of the number of nesting boxes occupied.
Making the nest boxes is an integral part of the project; they are designed by specialists in the species and made by hand by volunteers. By pooling their efforts, they hope to save the little owl and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.
To support this project, the Aquarium-Muséum team has decided to provide financial assistance for the creation and placement of the nest boxes in an environment suited to the needs of the little owls.
The first nesting boxes created with funding from the Aquarium-Muséum were placed at the end of December 2023 and the next ones at the beginning of 2024.
The positive impact on the environment in Belgium is manifold.
By preserving biodiversity and encouraging the nesting of the little owl, we are helping to naturally regulate populations of pests such as cockchafers and small mammals, thus benefiting farmers in their pest management. In addition, preserving old trees and tall orchards has a positive impact on overall biodiversity, while helping to limit run-off and erosion.
