Three barn owl chicks have been ringed as part of ongoing conservation efforts by Tendring District Council (TDC).

Carried out by a licensed expert, the chicks were weighed and measured to get indication of their age and support data collection for wildlife conservation.

The work at the undisclosed location was supported by TDC Open Spaces staff, who also monitor nest sites to identify those with broods ready for ringing.

Peter Newton, a licensed ringer from the British Trust of Ornithology, led the operation. He said: “Bird migration and habits change constantly, so it is important we monitor this by ringing.

“Last year was a disastrous year for barn owls, but this year is a bumper year – we believe because the field vole population has been boosted, and they have food to supply their youngsters with.”

The location of the nest is not being revealed to protect the owls. It is one of a number of council-controlled locations around the district which have nesting birds.