The African Grass Owl (Tyto capensis), which is listed as regionally Vulnerable, has experienced a 30% decline in population size over the last ten years.  Current research on this species focuses on populations in the northern areas of South Africa, the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route.

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There is a small remnant population present on the Agulhas Plain for which there is very limited data and information available. The Agulhas Plains African Grass Owl Research Project addresses this lack of knowledge regarding this Vulnerable species’ ecology and population size, as well as conservation threats on the Agulhas Plain. This monitoring project will collect essential baseline information on the presence, preferred habitat and range of the African Grass Owl in this region. This data is crucial for the development of reports for individual landowners to advise them on management actions to ensure the survival of this magnificent species on our Agulhas Plain, whilst filling the knowledge gap on this vulnerable species, and laying a foundation for future research on this sub-population.  The Agulhas Plain Grass Owl Project is funded through donations made by the Overberg Crane Group and the Fynbos Trust, as well as avian lovers across the world. We are currently in the first phase of the project, having completed the majority of the desktop studies needed to start the first field surveys.