Wildlife Conservation

Wild Barn Owl Population Recovery in the UK

Barn owls suffered severe population declines in the 20th century due to pesticide use, habitat loss and barn conversions. Recovery efforts are showing encouraging results.

Key Facts

UK barn owl population fell by over 70% during the 20th century
Nest box programmes have been central to population recovery since the 1980s
Barn owls require rough grassland with high vole populations for hunting
Rodenticide secondary poisoning remains a significant ongoing threat
The UK population is now estimated at approximately 4,000 breeding pairs

Welfare Considerations

Barn owl recovery demonstrates what targeted conservation effort can achieve. Maintaining habitat connectivity and reducing pesticide threats are key to sustaining this recovery.

What You Can Do

Install barn owl nest boxes on suitable rural properties
Support the Barn Owl Trust and similar conservation organisations
Avoid second-generation rodenticides that accumulate in owl prey