Barn owls (Tyto alba) are at the northern edge of their range in Scotland. Their welfare is acutely affected by cold, wet winters that reduce hunting success and cause starvation mortality.
Barn owl welfare in Scotland is marginal — the climate is at the physiological limit for this species. Poor weather years cause population crashes of 40-60% followed by slow recovery. Supplementary feeding at nest boxes during severe weather is a direct welfare intervention practiced by some conservation volunteers. Secondary rodenticide poisoning from farms using bromadiolone and difenacoum in grain stores is measurably reducing survival rates. Barn owl nest boxes installed in appropriate habitats directly support welfare.