Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most threatened species of owl in Ireland and has recently been ‘Red-listed’ in the ‘Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland’. They are generally seen only at dusk or at night when they hunt a variety of small mammals such as Field Mice, House Mice,Bank Voles and Brown Rats. They are threatened in Ireland by; a loss of nesting sites, less rough grassland habitat, being hit by cars and trains, drowning in water troughs, increased use of pesticides and poisoning from pesticide contaminated prey.
Copyright Mike BrownBarn Owl
Copyright Mike Brown
Copyright Mike Brown
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most threatened species of owl in Ireland and has recently been ‘Red-listed’ in the ‘Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland’. They are generally seen only at dusk or at night when they hunt a variety of small mammals such as Field Mice, House Mice,Bank Voles and Brown Rats. They are threatened in Ireland by; a loss of nesting sites, less rough grassland habitat, being hit by cars and trains, drowning in water troughs, increased use of pesticides and poisoning from pesticide contaminated prey.
Copyright Mike BrownScreachóg reilige
Did you know that the barn owl is the most widespread land bird in the world? It can be found in places as far apart as the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia!
However, the barn owl is also the most threatened species of owl in Ireland. With so much building contruction in Ireland, the barn owl is losing its natural grassland and hegerow habitat.
There are many other reasons the barn owl is threatened, including loss of nesting sites in old buildings, poisoning from pesticides, or even drowning in water troughs.
Would you recognise a barn owl?
These owls are very easy to recognise. They are a honey colour on top and very white underneath, with a beautiful heart-shaped face and long legs. Unlike the long-eared owl and the short-eared owl, the barn owl has no ear tufts at all!
The barn owl likes to live near woodlands, ditches or anywhere it will find prey. It especially likes farmlands beacuse it can feed on the crops and stored animal feed. Usually, you will only see them at dusk when they are busy hunting for mice, rats, frogs or even small birds for dinner.
Barn owls are home creatures and only hunt within twenty acres of their roost, or nest. Often, they will stay with their partner for life.
Did you know that the barn owl is the most widespread land bird in the world? It can be found in places as far apart as the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia!
However, the barn owl is also the most threatened species of owl in Ireland. With so much building contruction in Ireland, the barn owl is losing its natural grassland and hegerow habitat.
There are many other reasons the barn owl is threatened, including loss of nesting sites in old buildings, poisoning from pesticides, or even drowning in water troughs.
Would you recognise a barn owl?
These owls are very easy to recognise. They are a honey colour on top and very white underneath, with a beautiful heart-shaped face and long legs. Unlike the long-eared owl and the short-eared owl, the barn owl has no ear tufts at all!
The barn owl likes to live near woodlands, ditches or anywhere it will find prey. It especially likes farmlands beacuse it can feed on the crops and stored animal feed. Usually, you will only see them at dusk when they are busy hunting for mice, rats, frogs or even small birds for dinner.
Barn owls are home creatures and only hunt within twenty acres of their roost, or nest. Often, they will stay with their partner for life.