The Hoot Count is a joint project between the Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Hawk and Owl Trust to survey the five species of owls found in the county. The success of this project depends on support from the general public as well as members and volunteers from the two Trusts. We need everyone’s help.

Why is the survey necessary?
As top predators, owls are excellent indicators of a healthy environment. Their presence or absence highlights the state of the countryside and the other wildlife around them.

It has been more than a decade since the Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Hawk and Owl Trust carried their first survey of the county’s owls. Some species are thought to be declining nationally, while others such as the long-eared owl we still know very little about. We need to discover if there have been any changes in their populations and understand their present distribution and strongholds. Only then can we protect and enhance this special group of birds effectively.