Wildlife

Wild Barn Owl Pellet Analysis and Population Monitoring

Barn owl pellet analysis provides data on prey availability and population health that helps identify welfare threats to this species.

Key Facts

Barn owls regurgitate pellets containing undigested prey remains
Pellet analysis reveals prey species composition and population trends
Long-running pellet analysis projects detect changes in vole cycle dynamics
Rodenticide residues found in barn owls' prey through pellet content studies
Citizen scientists contribute pellet data to national monitoring schemes

Welfare Considerations

Changes in prey availability detected through pellet analysis provide early warning of food stress in barn owl populations. Field vole declines preceding breeding season predict poor welfare outcomes for breeding owls and their chicks. Pellet monitoring is a non-invasive welfare surveillance tool for this priority species.

What You Can Do

Join Barn Owl Trust monitoring programmes if you have owls nearby
Support restoration of rough grassland to increase barn owl prey availability
Report barn owl sightings and casualties to local wildlife trusts