Joel Cox has turned a lifelong love for birds of prey into a hands-on conservation career with the Hawk and Owl Trust. We spoke to Joel about his journey into conservation, the importance of nest boxes, and what a typical day looks like in the field.
How did your journey with the Trust begin?
I’ve always been enamoured with birds. From a young age, I’ve been very outdoorsy, with a particular focus on birds, which came from my grandad. I became especially fascinated with birds of prey and eventually started working in falconry, flying raptors for public displays and experience days.
I became disillusioned with some of the outdated practices in the industry and wanted to shift toward conservation, working with wild birds instead of captive ones.
I started volunteering with Chris Sperring, Conservation Officer at the Hawk and Owl Trust, helping him to install nest boxes across Wales and Scotland. After a few years, a job opened up at the Trust, and thanks to that volunteer experience, I got my foot in the door.
What does your role involve?
My job title is Assistant Conservation Officer. My major focus is our Adopt-a-Box scheme - visiting landowners, farmers, and estate managers and installing bird of prey nest boxes on their land for them to be custodians of. These boxes are adopted by other people - similar to how you might symbolically “adopt” a panda – and I’m the one who will put them up and revisit them to monitor breeding success and carry out maintenance.
Landowners often come to us for advice on how they can encourage more birds of prey. So, my role is not just about climbing a tree and putting a box up – it's about engaging with people and advising on how to encourage different types of habitats for biodiversity.
I also spend time down at Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve in Somerset, helping to look after the site, and shadow Chris on various conservation projects.
What’s a typical day like for you?
It depends. On reserve days, I’m maintaining the buildings and hides, clearing vegetation and mowing paths to keep people on footpaths and protect the wider reserve. Recently, we’ve been clearing kilometres of willow trees along ditches in preparation for ditch reprofiling work. That’ll allow more water in, which benefits a lot of wildlife.
Wednesdays are typically volunteer days at Shapwick – coordinating with a group of guys who’ve been coming here for 20 years or more.
On Adopt-a-Box days, it’s planning visits, assessing sites, meeting landowners, and then getting stuck in. It’s long days, but it’s great fun. I get to see amazing places, help wildlife and birds of prey, and meet some incredible people who are plugged into the landscape and know a lot about their craft. It can be exhausting, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Since I started, we’ve installed more than 30 boxes, with many more to come.
Why are nest boxes so important?
Natural nesting sites are disappearing. Barn Owls, for example, would typically nest in old rotten tree cavities, but there are so few big old trees now that most Barn Owl pairs – around 80% - now raise their chicks in provided nest boxes.
I’m especially focused on Little Owls, which are the fastest declining owl in the UK, mostly due to habitat loss and reduced insect populations from pesticide use (Little Owls are insectivores). Nest boxes give these birds a fighting chance.
Owls are predators at the top of the food chain, so a good population of owls is a strong indicator of a healthy ecosystem.
What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?
Completing the South East project – installing boxes across Kent and beyond. Then comes the most exciting part: revisiting sites during the next breeding season to see if the boxes have been used. That’ll be really satisfying.
Any myths you’d like to bust around birds of prey?
Red Kites have been unfairly demonised. Some people think they’ll snatch pets or babies – but they’re scavengers, not hunters. Despite their size, Red Kites are lightweight and their feet are too small to carry large prey. They mainly eat roadkill and small prey like mice, voles and earthworms. They’re beautiful, misunderstood birds.
Is there a wildlife moment that has stuck with you?
As a child, I once saw a Barn Owl flying alongside our car. It was probably only five seconds before it peeled off into the field but felt like minutes. That sort of encounter makes you catch your breath and go, “Wow.” They’re out there – always out there – so rarely seen and so beautiful.
How can people start connecting with nature?
Look up and listen for the birds. It’s a whole other world, all around you all the time.
Sit quietly for 10 or 20 minutes and just tune in. You’ll be amazed at what reveals itself. Every sound, every movement – it’s all part of their language. They’re deeply connected to each other and their surroundings in ways we often overlook. I’m guilty of it too. But when you stop to take it in, you realise: it’s a very special thing.
If Joel’s story has inspired you, there are plenty of ways to get involved in conservation through the Hawk and Owl Trust. Visit one of our local Norfolk or Somerset reserves to experience the beauty of nature firsthand, support our work as a member, or take the next step by volunteering with us.
In spring 2024 a number of Black-headed Gulls were present on the new scrap at Sculthorpe Moor in such numbers they attempted to breed, but all subsequently failed, initially through an increase in water levels causing a number to abandon, and finally the few remain abandoned later, possibly due to a predator, with no breeding recorded in 2024.
A number of Mediterranean Gulls were seen in small numbers amongst the Black-headed Gulls, leading to a hope they may also settle and attempted to nest, but it subsequently turned out these were just spring migrants moving through, presumable drawn to the site by the number of Black-headed Gulls.
On 7th April a pair of adult Mediterranea Gulls were present, one which was carrying a blue leg ring, which at the time appeared to be 5A75. This bird was from a Spanish colour ringing project, but when reporting the ring to the Spanish ringing scheme in San Sebastian, the ring 5A75 had not been used yet, and it appeared it could not be assigned to a specific bird.
A short article appeared in the November 2025 addition of the North-East Norfolk bird club bulletin which related to a Mediterranean Gull seen on the Sheringham playing field next to the cemetery, this bird being 5A25, on 15th and 20th October 2025. It became apparent the 2 had been misread as a 7 at Sculthorpe on 7th April.
The bird had been ringed as an adult on 23rd January 2024 at Entre Rota y Chipiona, Cadiz, a movement of 1876km.
Do birds of prey have a “favourite” tree?
It’s a charming idea – an owl returning to the same branch night after night, a buzzard surveying its territory from a trusted perch. In reality, the relationship between raptors and trees is as practical as it is profound.
Birds of prey use trees for much more than nesting. Trees offer cover, resting spots, and vantage points for hunting. What looks like preference is more often a matter of survival. Barn Owls, for example, often return to the same tree before heading to their nest – not out of sentiment, but because it offers a strategic lookout to spot potential threats or food thieves.
As we celebrate National Tree Week 2025 (22-30 November), we invite you to discover how different species choose their trees, and why protecting these habitats is essential for their future.
Long-Eared Owls
There’s a common misconception that Long-Eared Owls are woodland birds. In reality, they’re an open-countryside bird, using hedgerows and the edge of the woodland for cover and hunting. Their association with conifers is probably a result of forestry practices, such as clear-felling, which create open ground that Long-Eared Owls can exploit.
Buzzards and Kites
Buzzards and kites typically nest high up in the crowns of mature trees, taking advantage of commanding views and protection from predators. These lofty perches are essential for their breeding success and daily activities.
Little Owls
There’s a long-standing association between Little Owls and traditional Somerset orchards. Fruit trees are full of holes for nesting and crawling with insects for food. Sadly, those orchards are disappearing, and so are the Little Owls.
Thanks to the Thatchers Community Orchard Project, which generously donated 10 young apple trees to us in March, we’ve been able to establish our very own orchard area at Shapwick Moor Nature Reserve. These trees will provide not only fruit for many different bird species, but also nectar for bees and insects each spring – a good start to attracting Little Owls back to the reserve.
The value of veterans
One section of the tree community that continues to be ignored and abused is veteran trees. These old giants, full of cracks and hollows, were once prime nesting sites for owls and other wildlife. Today, we’re all too quick to cut them down as “safety risks”, leaving a void in our landscapes. In the past, owls could reliably be found roosting in ash and oak trees year after year. Those trees are gone now, and nothing’s allowed to grow old enough to replace them.
What we can do is try to compensate for this loss. Through our Adopt-A-Box scheme, we are able to mimic what the veteran trees used to provide by putting up nest boxes in younger trees.
Why every tree matters
Trees are the unsung heroes of our conservation mission. As we celebrate this National Tree Week, it’s important to recognise the value of protecting and restoring our woodlands, orchards, and veteran trees. It’s true that you never know what you’ve got until it’s gone – and when trees go, the birds go with them.
Through projects like Adopt-A-Box, and other wildlife and habitat conservation initiatives, we can ensure that future generations of raptors continue to thrive in Britain’s landscapes – and that they always have a “favourite” tree to come home to.
As autumn deepens and winter approaches, Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve in North Norfolk becomes a vibrant stage for wildlife spectacles and seasonal wonders. Here’s an in-depth look at what you can experience on the reserve during these months, with tips for making the most of your visit.
A flourish of fungi
Autumn is the perfect time to explore the fascinating world of fungi. The cool, damp conditions in the woodland create an ideal environment for a variety of species to thrive. Keep an eye out for the vivid scarlet elf cup, the curious jelly ear, and the bright orange peel fungus, each adding a splash of colour to the forest floor. Whether you're a seasoned mycologist or simply enjoy a woodland walk, the fungi at Sculthorpe are sure to delight.
Red kite roost spectacle
As winter approaches, Red Kites begin to gather in communal roosts, sheltering together overnight in the treetops. Sculthorpe is fortunate to host roosts of up to 70 birds, making for a truly impressive sight. From the wetland hide, visitors can watch these graceful raptors settle in for the evening, a peaceful and awe-inspiring way to end the day.
Starling murmurations
One of nature’s most breathtaking performances takes place over the reedbed at Sculthorpe: the starling murmuration. Thousands of starlings swoop and swirl in synchronised patterns at dusk, creating mesmerising shapes in the sky before settling down to roost. These displays are most spectacular in November and are best viewed from the reserve’s vantage points as the sun begins to set.
Elusive winter visitors
The colder months bring a host of migratory birds to the reserve. Among the most secretive is the Woodcock, arriving from continental Europe in search of milder conditions. These nocturnal birds are masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly into the leaf litter. Though sightings are rare, a startled Woodcock may be seen zigzagging through the trees.
Also arriving from Scandinavia are Bramblings, which can be spotted feeding on nuts, seeds, and berries in woodland areas or at feeders. Their striking plumage adds a splash of colour to the winter landscape.
Other wildlife highlights
Keep your eyes peeled for flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare and listen for the calls of Pink-footed Geese flying overhead. Along the waterways, you might catch a glimpse of a Kingfisher darting past or an Otter gliding silently through the drains and wetland channels.
Whether you're visiting for a peaceful walk or hoping to spot something special, Sculthorpe Moor offers a rich and varied wildlife experience throughout the autumn and winter months.
We are open daily from 9.30am – here’s how to find us: https://sculthorpe.hawkandowltrust.org/index.php/information/visit-us.
Don’t forget your binoculars, and your sense of wonder!
Our Mission
We believe in a world where birds of prey and their habitats are safe, thriving, and accessible for all to experience and protect.
Through dedicated conservation efforts, research, and education, we work tirelessly to preserve these magnificent species and the environments that support them.
How You Can Help
Your support makes our conservation efforts possible. There are many ways to get involved:
Become a Member, Volunteer or Donate
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Experience the Wild
Visit our nature reserves and witness raptors in their natural habitats. Our reserves are open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to see conservation in action and connect with nature.
Plan Your Visit
From walking trails to guided tours, our reserves offer a memorable experience for all ages.
