Filenews 3 January 2023 - by Dora Christodoulou
In the district of Paphos, the Municipality of Pegeia made the beginning, with the placement of 10 nests for man-birds, in collaboration with the Game and Fauna Service, since June 2020. Now, this method of dealing with rodents is a common and very popular procedure in most local authorities of the province. The case of Pegeia has since been followed by, among others, Geroskipou, Chloraka and lately Steni, while the importance of this action is constantly promoted by Authorities and Departments throughout Cyprus.
Officials point out that the use of owls is considered to be the most effective method that will help fight rodents. In this context, they stressed, Local Authorities with the cooperation and under the guidance of the officers of Thira have placed in appropriate places in various areas special nests of owls in order to immediately and drastically address the serious problem with rodents and the damage they cause to public spaces and property.
The president of the community of Chlorakas, Nikolas Liasidis, one of the communities that have already implemented the measure for a long time, stressed that the placement of artificial nests of owls is part of the pancyprian program for the settlement of human birdsowls, with the aim of increasing their population and the biological control of rodents. "A pair of owls feeds on 3,000 to 6,000 rodents a year," he said.
According to the Forest Officer, Haris Nikolaou, in recent years the importance of the owls in the biological control of rodents has become even more evident, since the numbers that human birds exterminate cannot be achieved by any rodenticide and no chemical preparation, while at the same time the cost and damage they do to the environment are known to everyone.
The installation of artificial nests of owls is part of the pancyprian program for the settlement of owls, with the aim of increasing their population and biological control of rodents. Pilot attempts to instal artificial nests have already been made in various other areas of Cyprus, except Paphos, with significant success. Many areas, which in the past were tormented by rodents, today use only the placement of artificial nests, an action friendly to the environment and with respect to human health. To date, around 400 nests have been installed and within the next period another 100 will be installed.
In this context, Local Authorities with the cooperation and under the guidance of the officers of the Game Fund have placed in appropriate places in various areas special nests of owls in order to immediately and drastically address the serious problem with rodents and the damage they cause to public places and property.
Artificial nests serve two purposes, the officials of Thera explain: First of all, to help the birds find safe and satisfactory nesting places and consequently to contribute to the recovery of their populations and their return to places where they ceased to exist. They also help to promote the biological control of rodents, a method that is more economical and, most importantly, safer for human health, since it is free from chemical poisons and preparations that serve this purpose.
The most widespread species of owl
The diet of owls includes rodents, reptiles, amphibians, birds and small mammals. From scientific studies that have been done in various areas in Cyprus or elsewhere, it has been found that over 90% of their diet consists of rodents. The number rises sharply if there are youngsters who will have to be fed. The barn owl is the widest widespread species of owl on the planet and is found on all continents except Antarctica. There are 35 different subspecies of the species across the planet, differing morphologically in body dimensions and coloration. It is included in the protected bird species of the Law providing for the protection and management of wild birds and game of the Republic of Cyprus of 2003.
