Barn Owls

There was a small piece on BBC Breakfast Time this morning, about how the number of Barn Owls have plummeted . !0 yrs ago there were 10,000 breeding pairs, the number now is believed to have dropped to 1,000. There was a 300% drop in numbers last year, and the recent floods, and rains have not helped their survival chances this year. Plus the loss of rough,  grass habitat in farmers fields, that affects the number of voles, and mice, also the number of barns that have been converted into dwellings, or are so as to be no use to the Barn Owl. They need a dry roost to protect their feathers which are really badly affected by rain, also in the rainy conditions we've been having means that they cant hunt. Really sad news for these iconic British Owls

WS

Thanks WS.  I think SK Tweeted something about that this morning.  It's really tragic to know how they have declined in numbers.  We've some boxes up for owls and we certainly see tawny owls around with the occasional barn owl.

I've put a petition for the Barn Owls under petitions WS.

Lai

That really is sad news to hear WS, as you know Owls are my favourite bird. Those numbers are quite catastrophic aren't they and not what you want to hear. The weather has had a lot to answer for this years hasn't it but also the loss of the owls habitat has not helped much at all. Lets hope that things can be turned around for them as it would be devastating to loose our much loved Barn Owl.

Off to sign your petition Lai.   

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