ATTRACTING OWLS
At
the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, we are often asked about the
best way to ‘attract owls’. In particular, this is often by
those who used to see Barn Owls in their area but feel they
are no longer there; or think they have suitable local
habitats for Barn Owls and wish to attract them to their
vicinity.
In
simple terms, in order for a pair of Barn Owls to survive
and breed successfully, they need in the region of 120
acres of permanent rough tussocky grassland over which they
can hunt and catch their preferred prey, the vole. This
area should not include grass that is cut or grazed as it
will drastically reduce the vole population necessary to
sustain a pair of breeding Barn Owls.
Though not as successful in sustaining breeding Barn Owls,
other forms of ungrazed terrain - bog/moss; woodland edge,
field margins or headlands; river or canal banks; dykes and
ditches; disused quarries or railway embankments, plus new
or young woodland plantations - can contribute to a
successful habitat.
Barn Owls also then need a suitable nest site e.g. a
seldom-used or undisturbed barn or building; a hollow
isolated tree, or a suitably-located man-made nestbox.
If there have been Barn Owls in your area in the past, ask
yourself why it is they are no longer there. Perhaps there
have been changes to local agricultural practice - for
example, revised land usage or increased stock grazing
which may have decreased the bird’s food supply. Have new
roads been built nearby, leading to increased mortality
through death caused by traffic? (Did you know over 60% of
all known Barn Owl deaths occur on the roads and is
estimated that over 3000 birds are killed in this way every
year?) Have possible nesting sites like old trees or
disused farm buildings been destroyed, or an old man-made
nestbox fallen into disrepair?
Having reviewed the situation, if you feel that you have
the correct habitat that will support a pair of Barn Owls,
and you would like to encourage them, the first and most
simple step is to erect properly constructed nest-boxes at
suitable sites: see elsewhere in this booklet for further
information, visit our website
www.owl-help.org.uk
or contact our help-line on
01449 711425
for advice.