Wimbledon Common Nature Club kids learn all about owls

Kids got their hands dirty when they dissected owl poo to find out what the nocturnal birds eat.

The Wimbledon Common Nature Club, supported by the London Wildlife Trust, met on Sunday for the session on owl pellets.

The Information Centre on Wimbledon Common was packed with 22 children and their families. They heard that on owl usually swallows its prey whole.

The digestive juice in the owl’s stomach then dissolves all the soft parts, leaving hard indigestible pieces such as bones, fur, insect exoskeletons, fish scales and feathers.

These hard remains are pressed together to form a pellet which is then regurgitated through the owl’s mouth.

The children found out that a single barn owl pellet may contain the remains of three to four small mammals.

Club leader Auriel Glanville said: “The children and their families had a great morning dissecting their barn owl pellets and making their own bone charts to take home with them.

“They were also very excited and thrilled to meet a real tawny owl – Merlin – up close.”

The next meeting, entitled signs of spring, will be on March 1. Meet at the Information Centre, Wimbledon Common, 10am to noon, newcomers 9.50am to register).

The club is for children aged six to 14 and sessions cost £2 per person.

Pictured are three youngsters enjoying the day.