An Owl Hero

Karen Thomas, volunteer with the Bucks Owl and Raptor Group, shares the highlights and challenges of working in conservation

- SUSIE KEARLEY

The seed of an idea for the Bucks Owl and Raptor Group (BORG) was planted back in 2006, when a local council project was introduced to help conserve owl and raptor species in Buckinghamshire.

This was done by erecting bird boxes and undertaking conservation projects to reverse the decline of threatened species. When the funding for that project came to an end in 2012, the volunteers decided to go it alone, creating Bucks Owl and Raptor Group to continue the work they'd started, and secure the future for owls and raptors in the region.

Karen Thomas first contacted the group through an advert in the local press, and invited them to put up owl boxes in her area.

"The volunteers taught me how to look after the nesting boxes and I started tagging along to see their work in progress. Then I decided to become a volunteer monitor, which progressed to ringing birds, then becoming the club's secretary."