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.
