A study aims to find owl numbers and their location

With tawny owl numbers thought to have declined by a third in 10 years, ornithologists admit "scandalously" little is known about the birds.

The Norfolk-based British Trust for Ornithology is launching a major study.

"If we're not careful they could begin to disappear without anybody really noticing," said Dr Humphrey Crick.

The group is recruiting volunteers to help in a number of ways, including monitoring gardens, woodland and farmland and also putting up nest boxes for the nocturnal creatures.

'Get in contact'

"It is not easy to count birds in the dark, so it is not surprising that we know less about owls than any other species. To conserve owls, we need to find out more about where they live, how many there are and which habitats are important," said Dr Crick.

Of the UK's five species the barn owl and short-eared owl are already of conservation concern; while the tawny owl and long-eared owl, though poorly monitored, are known to be in decline; and the fifth - the little owl - is susceptible to changes in farming.

Harry Potter

The BTO's fundraising manager Graham Appleton urged would-be volunteers to join in.

"The survey starts next year, but now is the time to get in contact with us," he said.

And, he added, they hoped the recent success of Harry Potter would do much for the owl's image and encourage many to come onboard.