Barn Owl Research

Barn Owls have suffered serious declines in the United Kingdom to the point that it has become a specially protected species. They are open grassland hunters and prey mainly on small mammals such as voles, mice and shrews that thrive in rough tussocky grass that is not heavily grazed, mown or sprayed. This habitat is becoming increasingly uncommon.

Barn Owl (Photo linked to RSPB)

In Cumbria, the World Owl Trust, located at Muncaster, is collaborating with DEFRA to study Barn Owls and to promote conservation management such as creating habitat and erecting suitable nest boxes in farms around the countryside. The Trust also provides advice to landowners about how to protect this attractive bird.

In addition to conducting annual monitoring and censuses, the young owlets are ringed using rings issued by the British Trust for Ornithology bearing unique serial numbers and the address of the British Museum. This gives information about the dispersal movements and survival of the fledgeling owls. This week I assisted Sue, the World owl Trust Conservation Officer, in ringing broods of Barn Owl chicks at sites around South Cumbria.

World Owl Trust Conser- vation Officer Sue rings a Barn Owl chick.