Conservationists hopeful that NI's barn owl population is on the rise

Conservationists are feeling hopeful after one of Northern Ireland’s most vulnerable farmland birds saw a bumper number of barn owl chicks and breeding pairs last year.

24 barn owl chicks fledged from 8 known breeding pairs – a 500% increase in chicks from 2021 – according to Ulster Wildlife, which has just published its 2022 barn owl report.

Two new nest sites were also discovered in Co Down, helping to boost the bird’s fragile population, which is estimated to be less than 30 breeding pairs.

Barn owls were hit badly in 2021, as the wet spring and hot summer resulted in a poor breeding season.

“After a troubled 2021, we are delighted to see the fortunes of barns owl changing and their numbers doing well.

Every time we think the population is increasing, we lose some of our breeding pairs so this year's news is very positive,” said Katy Bell, senior conservation officer, at Ulster Wildlife.

“Barn owls need a number of things to survive: plenty of wildlife-friendly habitat on farms with enough small mammals to eat, places to nest and roost, as well as climatic stability.

"All of these factors play a part in their success and a big part of our work to help this species recover is advising landowners and farmers on habitat improvements and putting up artificial nest boxes.

"It is great to see this paying dividend in 2022, providing a welcome boost for our small and struggling barn owl population.”

Barn owls require areas of rough grassland, wild field margins, and wild bird cover in order to hunt for small mammals, like mice and rats, that take refuge there.

Last year, the charity carried out 34 landowner visits to advise on ideal barn owl habitat and erected 20 man-made nest boxes in suitable locations to replace the loss of natural nesting sites in barns, old buildings and tree cavities.

During the summer, an army of dedicated volunteers monitored 76 nest boxes across the countryside for signs of barn owl activity, such as regurgitated pellets and whitewash droppings, as well as surveying 11 potential new breeding sites.

Katy added:“2023 brings exciting opportunities to build on the success of our barn owl conservation work. We want to find more nest sites, support more landowners and nest-minders, create a network of habitats and nest boxes, and ultimately help protect and expand our population of barn owls.

"Sightings of these elusive birds are really important to help target our efforts, so we would encourage anyone to get in touch.”

Ms Bell continued: "We want to find more nest sites, support more landowners and nest-minders, create a network of habitats and nest boxes and ultimately help protect and expand our population of barn owls.

"Sightings of these elusive birds are really important to help target our efforts so we would encourage anyone to get in touch."

To find out more about Northern Ireland’s barn owl population click here. To read the full barn owl 2022 report conducted by Ulster Wildlife click here.