Barn owl project

Information about the Barn owl project and how to become involved.

The Barn Owl is one of Britain's most well-known and charismatic birds. However, in recent decades its numbers have suffered significant declines due largely to the loss of hunting habitats (rough, tussocky grassland which support thriving populations of small mammals such as the field vole, the staple diet of the barn owl) and suitable nesting sites (old barns, hollow trees, etc.).

Often difficulties occur even when good feeding habitats remain because these have become isolated from suitable nest sites.

There is a limit to the range that adult Barn Owls can cover from their nest base in search of food. Unbroken expanses of cereal or intensively managed grassland are major barriers, as are busy roads which sadly claim significant annual casualties.

In view of this situation the Friends of Wychwood have recently embarked on an ongoing project which aims to:

• identify potential sites where artificial nesting boxes are needed closer to suitable foraging areas;
• make landowners aware of management techniques that enhance habitats as owl feeding areas;
• provide participative opportunities (including monitoring work) for a better understanding of the owl's life history and habits.

The project enables Friends of Wychwood members to become practically involved, understand more about the subject under guidance and supervision from experts and then apply this knowledge more widely for the benefit of the local environment.