Wildlife

UK Barn Owl Post-Fledging Welfare

Welfare challenges for young barn owls in the months following fledging from the nest.

Key Facts

Young barn owls have the highest mortality rate of any age class in the population
Most mortality occurs in the first winter as young birds struggle to find food
Dispersal from natal territories exposes young owls to road traffic
Supplementary feeding at nest box sites supports post-fledging survival
Harsh winters following poor vole years cause major population crashes

Welfare Considerations

Post-fledging barn owls face extreme welfare vulnerability and mortality risk, with supplementary feeding and road traffic mitigation delivering direct survival and welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Support nest box schemes that also provide supplementary feeding during harsh winters
Advocate for wildlife road crossing measures on roads near known owl territories
Donate to Barn Owl Trust to support post-fledging welfare research