The Isle of Man barn owl project has officially launched its new online nest streaming service.

Broadcasting live from a secret location somewhere in the island, the project has been created by environmentalist Adam Denard in partnership with Manx BirdLife.

Viewers, be they experienced bird watches or just interested beginners can watch the daily lives of owls play out live as Manx Birdlife and Mr Denard try to discover more about the biology and behaviour of the enigmatic birds of the night.

Mr Denard said: ’My father Bill has been building barn owl nest boxes and together we’ve put up a number of these around the island. We are deeply grateful to all the landowners for assisting us with the project to try to give our barn owls a brighter future.

Manx Birdlife are equally excited to study the birds.

’The owl cam provides an intimate window on the barn owl’s world,’ said Neil Morris, managing director of Manx BirdLife.

’The birds are of course wild and free to come and go. We hope they will decide to use this particular nest box for raising their family this summer. Everyone involved has their fingers crossed.’

The nest building was only part of the challenge, as relaying their lives in real time required some serious computer tech, which is where phone company Sure stepped in.

Sarah Jarvis, marketing and PR manager for Sure, said: ’I’m really pleased that Sure’s internet services are enabling this fantastic project.’

Mr Morris offered a reminder to the Manx public though: ’It is an offence to disturb birds listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act, such as barn owls, whilst they are at the nest or to destroy the nest, eggs or young of any wild bird.

’Once a protected wild bird has begun to build a nest, that nest is protected.

f you are lucky enough to see a barn owl, or even luckier to find one nesting, please do not disturb it or go near to the nest.’

The live video feed and more information is available at www.manxbirdlife.im/owl-cam.

The Isle of Man barn owl project has officially launched its new online nest streaming service.

Broadcasting live from a secret location somewhere in the island, the project has been created by environmentalist Adam Denard in partnership with Manx BirdLife.

Viewers, be they experienced bird watches or just interested beginners can watch the daily lives of owls play out live as Manx Birdlife and Mr Denard try to discover more about the biology and behaviour of the enigmatic birds of the night.

Mr Denard said: ’My father Bill has been building barn owl nest boxes and together we’ve put up a number of these around the island. We are deeply grateful to all the landowners for assisting us with the project to try to give our barn owls a brighter future.

Manx Birdlife are equally excited to study the birds.

’The owl cam provides an intimate window on the barn owl’s world,’ said Neil Morris, managing director of Manx BirdLife.

’The birds are of course wild and free to come and go. We hope they will decide to use this particular nest box for raising their family this summer. Everyone involved has their fingers crossed.’

The nest building was only part of the challenge, as relaying their lives in real time required some serious computer tech, which is where phone company Sure stepped in.

Sarah Jarvis, marketing and PR manager for Sure, said: ’I’m really pleased that Sure’s internet services are enabling this fantastic project.’

Mr Morris offered a reminder to the Manx public though: ’It is an offence to disturb birds listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act, such as barn owls, whilst they are at the nest or to destroy the nest, eggs or young of any wild bird.

’Once a protected wild bird has begun to build a nest, that nest is protected. If you are lucky enough to see a barn owl, or even luckier to find one nesting, please do not disturb it or go near to the nest.’

The live video feed and more information is available at www.manxbirdlife.im/owl-cam.