Wildlife

Wild Barn Owl: Prey Population and Supplementary Feeding

Barn owl populations are strongly linked to small mammal prey availability, with supplementary feeding supporting welfare in hard winters.

Key Facts

Barn owls can lose up to 30% of body weight during severe winter conditions
Field voles, the primary prey, undergo 3-4 year population cycles causing owl starvation years
Supplementary feeding at nest boxes reduces mortality during prey scarcity
Rough grassland management on farmland increases prey availability long-term

Welfare Considerations

Barn owl starvation during winter and prey crash years causes prolonged suffering. A combination of habitat management to increase prey and targeted supplementary feeding during critical periods significantly reduces mortality from starvation.

What You Can Do

Manage areas of rough grassland near farmland to support vole populations
Install barn owl nest boxes to provide safe breeding sites
Support Barn Owl Trust supplementary feeding programmes during hard winters