Raptors

Little Owl Welfare and Pasture Habitat Loss in UK

Little owls, introduced from Europe in the 19th century, have declined by 64% since 1995 in the UK. Loss of traditionally managed pasture with short grazed grassland that exposes invertebrate prey is the primary driver.

Key Facts

Little owl populations have declined by 64% in the UK since 1995
They feed primarily on earthworms, beetles, and other invertebrates in short grazed grassland
Traditional mixed farms with permanent pasture, orchards, and hedgerows provide optimal habitat
Intensification of grassland through reseeding, fertiliser, and reduced stock diversity has degraded habitat
Little owls are not protected under Schedule 1 but are amber-listed as birds of conservation concern

Welfare Considerations

Little owls in intensively managed grassland landscapes face chronic food shortages as invertebrate communities collapse under fertiliser and pesticide applications. Pairs attempting to breed in degraded habitat experience repeated chick starvation events when broods cannot be supplied with sufficient invertebrate prey. Winter food scarcity causes adult mortality particularly in cold spells when invertebrate access through frozen ground is impossible.

What You Can Do

Support traditional mixed farming enterprises that retain permanent pasture and orchards
Install little owl nest boxes in farm buildings and old orchard trees
Donate to little owl research programs at the BTO
Advocate for agri-environment payments that maintain traditional pasture management
Report little owl sightings to BTO Atlas surveys to support population monitoring