Echoes of 'Kes' as birds of prey to be unleashed on vole population

KESTRELS are set to be introduced to a Barnsley woodland in a bid to keep down the population of voles, which have been eating young saplings.

The 1960s film Kes was shot in the South Yorkshire town, and now Wombwell Wood is looking to benefit from the birds’ hunting instincts.

The Forestry Commission is erecting seven so-called eco-perches – similar to telephone poles – in the Upper Woodhead part of the woodland, where 90,000 young trees are taking root on a 147-acre former pit.

It is hoped that if the kestrels have a vantage point to scan for prey they will be able to spot the voles more easily.

Forester Helen Walton said: “This is a good way of helping the young woodland, while improving the prospects for birds like kestrels.

“Despite the fact that the species is frequently spotted because it hunts on roadside verges, numbers seem to be declining.”

The work to erect the perches will be done as part of a public conservation day in the woods on Sunday, October 10. For details call 01302 820278.

A spokesman for the Forestry Commisssion said there were few natural perches in the adjoining young woodland.