Little Owl Welfare on Agricultural Land

Little owls, introduced to Britain in the 19th century, are now declining as farmland habitats are managed more intensively, reducing the rough grassland and orchards they depend on.

Key Facts

Little owls are not native to Britain but were introduced in the 1870s-1880s
The UK population declined by around 56% between 1995 and 2010
They depend on short rough grassland, hedgerows, and traditional orchards
Loss of traditional orchards has eliminated a key nesting and foraging habitat
They are cavity nesters using tree holes, old farm buildings, and stone walls

Welfare Considerations

Little owls in farmland under intensive management face progressive loss of the rough grassland, earthworm, and invertebrate prey they require. Nest site loss from building modernisation and orchard removal removes essential breeding habitat. Secondary poisoning from rodenticide-contaminated voles and mice affects populations. Little owls are ground foragers vulnerable to agricultural machinery. Traffic mortality on rural roads with overgrown verges that owls hunt along is a significant cause of individual death and injury.

What You Can Do

Support little owl nest box programs on traditional farm holdings
Advocate for agri-environment scheme funding for traditional orchard conservation
Donate to Little Owl Project monitoring and conservation programs
Reduce pesticide use on rural properties to support invertebrate prey
Create rough uncut grass margins on rural properties and gardens