Making an ecological Italian garden to attract owls

Italy is home to many species of owl and is generally considered one of the best habitats in Europe for sustaining owl populations, along with many other birds of prey. Italy's geographical position, it's climate and it's many and varied yet sustained natural habitats from the Dolomite mountain range in the north to the flatlands and woods of central Italy support owl populations perfectly.

Tawny owls, Barn owls, long-eared owls, little owls and even the majestic eagle owl already flourish all over the Italian Peninsula. However, we can easily make an Italian garden that will ultimately save us money, allow us to get to closer to these stunning owls better and assist the survival of this mysterious and intriguing bird.

A skilled and expert hunter of mice and voles, the owl needs wild flower meadows that sustain varied, beautiful and balanced natural ecosystems, without the presence of pesticides in which to hunt. Towards dusk the owls emerge from their roosting sites in old trees or barns etc and begin hunting field voles and mice by swooping over meadows. Using their incredible sense of sight and flying with feathers that make no sound whatsoever they glide, effortlessly, just a few feet from the ground while hunting. Owls hover occasionally on their huge wings when they finally pinpoint a vole they dive, smothering it with their head and wings- then carrying it away to devour.

Those lucky enough to have witnessed a barn owl hunting over meadowland are unlikely to forget the experience, as they possess an almost ghostlike and rather spiritual aura. Owls are most unlike most other birds and have evolved to hunt nocturnally, fly without making a sound, along with many other unique evolutionary developments. Owls are able to turn their head a complete 360 and Their eyesight is far superior to most birds and the very shape of their face directs, concentrates and aids light entering the eye, allowing them to see at night and also detect slightest movement. When they do catch a field vole They are able to gulp it down whole and instead of producing faeces in a normal way, they produce compact pellets of indigestible fur and bone which can be carried far away from the nest site and regurgitated.

Owls can easily be heard at night cooing and wooing their territorial and mating calls in the countryside and woods of Italy. The owl's nocturnal presence has featured strongly in European folklore and has played havoc with peoples imagination throughout the centuries, mainly because they nest in old churches or ruins. However, this unusual and very special bird means humans no harm whatsoever, contrary to its image. The presence of any owl is quite simply an example of a fully functional, natural and uncontaminated landscape and by designing our own Italian garden or Italian landscape with the owl in mind can only be positive both for us and the owl! Why not provide the owlm with a simple nestbox that will help sustain owl populations now that there are very few nesting sites left in the wild?

The ecologica gardening system has been devised specifically to provide stunning natural habitats that sustain indigenous ecosystems, such as those required by the most species of owl. Although ecologica is a garden design system that was originally devised for the natural garden in Italy it is just as applicable and suitable to any other environment in Europe and, indeed, most of the world. The creation of a wildflower meadow, in Italy or otherwise, will aid the survival of a wide variety of birds and animals but particularly the owls!

CONTACT ECOLOGICA HERE FOR THE CREATION OF YOUR OWN OWL GARDEN IN ITALY OR ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD