A wise move as owls land at college
[gallery] This beautiful owl is one of more than 200 who have arrived in Staffordshire on a two-year pit-stop before a move to Dudley.
The World Owl Trust has set up a sanctuary for the birds at South Staffordshire College's Rodbaston campus, near Penkridge, following a stay in the Lake District.
The birds will remain at the campus for the next two years – and then move to a new £750,000 sanctuary being built at Himley Hall.
John Buchan, of South Staffordshire College, said he thought someone was pulling his leg when he received the request from the conservation charity to look after the 200 birds.
It is anticipated that about 20 of them will remain at the college campus, forming a separate breeding site.
"I thought it was a joke," he said. "For me and my staff, it's such exciting times. To be involved with an organisation like the World Owl Trust is amazing."
The trust said it hoped the owl sanctuary at Himley Hall would open in Easter 2017.
There are plans to set up 60 aviaries, a tea room, a shop for visitors and an education centre for children and adults.
Trust spokesman Alan Peace said the proposed site of about 2.5-acres was 'the perfect location' as it had a Victorian walled garden with a 10ft-high wall, which would provide a secure location for the birds.
Mr Peace said: "We are not an owl zoo. Our prime role is conservation.
"Where necessary, we breed captive-bred owls for subsequent release into the wild, to spread the gene pool amongst other collections in various parts of the world."
The charity boasts breeds such as the Ethiopian Eagle Owl and Spectacled Owls.
The collection of around 190 features some 50 species.
