That's very good news indeed austringer and 'Well done' to your mate and his colleagues at the East Yorks Owl Trust.
The use of boxes for Barn Owl re-introduction schemes has been a great success (the Hawk and Owl Trust has been particularly active in their use - check out their website) and many parts of the country are now enjoying the benefits.
Here in Cambridgeshire a number of farmers are getting in on the act and I was recently told by a local farmer's wife that when farmers get together now the main topic is not foot and mouth, blue tongue disease or the price of corn but "how many owls do you have in your boxes"?
Jeff