Wildlife

Wild Barn Owl Nest Box Provision

Barn owl nest boxes compensate for loss of natural nest sites and are one of the most effective welfare interventions for this species.

Key Facts

Barn owls use cavities in old trees, buildings, and cliffs for nesting
Loss of old barns and hollow trees has reduced nest site availability across the UK
Properly designed and positioned nest boxes are readily adopted by barn owls
Over 5,000 nest boxes are monitored annually by the Barn Owl Trust in the UK
Boxes should be positioned at least 3-4m high and face away from prevailing weather
Internal box dimensions and entrance hole size affect breeding success

Welfare Considerations

Nest box provision directly addresses one of the primary limiting factors for barn owl populations. Pairs that secure a good nest site breed more successfully and raise more chicks. Monitoring of boxes provides population data while the boxes themselves provide direct welfare benefit through improved breeding success.

What You Can Do

Install a barn owl nest box if you have suitable habitat including open farmland nearby
Follow Barn Owl Trust guidelines for box design, placement, and monitoring
Report barn owl nest box occupancy to the Barn Owl Trust national monitoring scheme
Remove hazards such as barn owl grid traps and poisoned bait stations near barn owl habitat
Donate to Barn Owl Trust research and conservation programmes