Wildlife

Wild Barn Owl Prey Availability and Welfare

Barn owl welfare and population success depend heavily on prey availability, which is in turn shaped by land management and agriculture.

Key Facts

Field voles are the primary prey of barn owls in the UK
Rough grassland margins provide essential vole habitat
Intensive silage systems reduce prey availability by eliminating rough grass
Hard winters with snow cover cause barn owl starvation events
Prey scarcity is the leading cause of barn owl mortality and population decline

Welfare Considerations

Barn owls that cannot find sufficient prey starve, often slowly. The welfare of wild barn owls is directly tied to agricultural land management. Agri-environment schemes that restore rough grassland margins have measurable benefits for barn owl welfare and survival.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes restoring grassland margins
Put up barn owl nest boxes in appropriate rural locations
Advocate for land management policies benefiting barn owls