How can we help barn owls

Marshside This fantastic wetland site is located north of Southport town centre and has some of the best wildlife in the region. Lytchett Fields The reserve has seen more than thirty species of wading birds. Arne Heathland home to more than species. Get out, get busy and get wild! Fun factoids for all the family Find out more about the nature and wildlife outside your window. Barn owl conservation. Barn owls in brief The barn owl population decline is largely a result of reduced food supply, with fewer areas of rough grassland available for hunting.

Key points Erect nestboxes in pairs within m of each other at a density of about one pair per square kilometre. Create tussocky grassland with a deep litter layer as either marginal strips at least 2m wide or as blocks of habitat.

Land management for barn owls Our advice sheet about what barn owls need and how to encourage them. PDF, 2. What this species needs Nest and roost sites They are traditionally associated with old barns and hollow trees but take readily to nestboxes placed in modern farm buildings, trees or spaces provided in barn conversions.

Food and habitat They primarily eat voles but also regularly include mice, shrews and rats in their diet. Barn owl With heart-shaped face, buff back and wings and pure white underparts, the barn owl is a distinctive and much-loved countryside bird. Rough grass strips should be at least 2m wide ideally 6m and it is preferable for blocks of rough grassland to be linked by hedges or grass strips. If you have a sports net that you use outdoors please take it down when not in use.

They are especially dangerous to owls at night, but birds get caught in nets around the clock. Remove any outdoor nets when not actively in use. Sign the Poison Free Pledge! In the case or rat poisons—which are one of the most commonly used poisons on the market—the owls that eat the poisoned rats also suffer and die all too often. Even if you would never think of using poison, signing the Poison Free Pledge sets a good example for friends and family, and sends a clear educational message to people who might not have given a second thought to scattering poison bait into their yard.

Adopt an owl. But you can symbolically adopt one through Hungry Owl Project. But the ideal life for any animal is in the wild, living free and away from humans. Adopting an owl through a wildlife rehabilitation organization supports trained professionals helping owls in the wild.

Flying into windows is one of the biggest dangers to birds, including owls. Use external insect screens that cover the entirety of your external windows, where possible. Stripes need to be vertical and spaced closely together. If adhesive strips are too pricey, you can paint vertical lines using a window pen. We recommend Collidescape Bird Tape or a similar product. Show your owl pride. Show people your affinity for these beautiful nocturnal animals wherever you go.

See the sticker here. Keeping cats indoors is an easy and effective way to keep owls, birds in general, and other animals safe. Still feeling like your cat would really love to be outdoors? Build a catio and get the best of both worlds! Consider installing an owl box on your property. While there is a lot to learn before making the decision to install a Barn Owl box, they can be beneficial for humans and owls alike.

Barn Owls and Screech Owls use nest boxes, and can benefit people nearby by keeping rodent populations balanced. We help the owls by installing nesting boxes by providing a safe place for them to raise their young. The acres of hunting territory needed by the Barn Owl does not include grass that is cut or grazed. Even light grazing will drastically reduce the vole population and there will not be sufficient prey to sustain a pair of Barn Owls. These hunting areas must be away from major roads.

If you feel that you have the correct habitat that will support a pair of Barn Owls, and you would like to encourage them, the first and most simple step is to erect nest-boxes at suitable sites.