'Magical' and rare barn owl has bumper breeding season
Ten chicks have been successfully reared by two breeding pairs at secret sites across Fermanagh.
Barn owls in County Fermanagh have experienced a successful breeding season, with 10 chicks discovered at two locations. This outcome is attributed to years of conservation efforts by Ulster Wildlife and local farmers who installed nest boxes and enhanced the habitat for the elusive bird. With fewer than 30 breeding pairs remaining in Northern Ireland, the chicks have been fitted with rings to monitor their movements.
The Fermanagh chicks are considered the first recorded in the county in over half a century. Most of Ulster Wildlife's barn owl records have been gathered from the eastern part of Northern Ireland. The locations of the nest boxes remain confidential to safeguard the rare, endangered species. Senior conservation officer Katy Bell emphasized the importance of farmers' cooperation in adapting their land to meet the barn owl's needs, including thick hedgerows, rough areas, and long grass for hunting.
The charity has collaborated with BirdWatch Ireland, and the barn owl population has begun to expand from County Cavan. Due to habitat loss and pesticide use, barn owl numbers have been decreasing across the UK for the past 50 years, leading to their red-listed status. Bell highlighted the numerous challenges the birds face, including road collisions and the loss of nesting sites.
Despite these obstacles, nest boxes offer a solution, providing rodent control for farmers while ensuring the well-being of the owls.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
