What started as a single social media post by West Cumbria Rivers Trust has blossomed into an incredible grassroots community effort, resulting in over 50 custom-built owl boxes installed across Cumbria.
The initiative took off in February 2025, when the Trust shared the story of local Keswick craftsman Robert Stephenson, who was handcrafting owl boxes for one of the Trust’s projects at Longlands Lake near Cleator Moor. The post struck a chord with the public, sparking a wave of interest that has kept Robert busy building custom boxes for Tawny, Barn, and Little Owls ever since.
For Robert, who was forced to step away from his regular work following a cancer diagnosis, the project has provided a profound sense of purpose. Building the boxes gives him immense joy and positivity, while creating essential nesting habitats for local wildlife.
As a rivers trust, we know that healthy rivers rely on healthy, connected landscapes. Protecting our catchments means looking out for the wildlife that calls them home. Mature trees near riverbanks and across Cumbrian farmlands and woodlands provide crucial habitats for wildlife. Because owls naturally rely on hollows in dead, mature trees to nest - and because those old-growth trees are so scarce in our modern landscape - these handcrafted boxes give native owls a vital helping hand.
"The response from the public has been amazing," said Robert. "I've had lovely photo updates from all over the county including a box in Portinscale which attracted two healthy Tawny chicks just six weeks after installation."
Robert is now wrapping up his latest batch and is open for new orders from across Cumbria. Whether you have a large garden, woodland, or farmland, Robert installs every box personally, charging only for the cost of timber, his time, and petrol.
He also advises on the best spot for your box: owls prefer to avoid heavy nighttime human disturbance, meaning boxes need to be put up in the right spot, at the right height, and with a clear flight path overlooking good foraging habitat.
Want to get involved? Landowners and nature lovers looking to support Cumbria's owl populations can email Robert on marian_stephenson@sky.com or call him on 07535 864228 to find out more.