Wildlife

Wild Barn Owl Prey Availability and Rodenticide Risk

Barn owl populations fluctuate with small mammal cycles and are threatened by second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. Targeted conservation has helped many populations stabilise.

Key Facts

Barn owls eat predominantly field voles, wood mice and common shrews
Second-generation anticoagulants are found in over 90% of tested barn owls
Nest box schemes have been highly successful in compensating for loss of old buildings
Barn owls cannot survive sustained cold wet winters when hunting is impaired

Welfare Considerations

Barn owl welfare is acutely affected by secondary poisoning from rodenticides. Farms using rodenticide baits should use first-generation products in tamper-proof bait stations, and never use second-generation products without professional authorization.

What You Can Do

Install barn owl nest boxes on suitable farm buildings and mature trees
Switch to first-generation rodenticides or non-toxic alternatives on farms
Support Barn Owl Trust monitoring and conservation programmes