Lots of barn owls?
Discussion
I live in a village on the North Bucks/ Oxfordshire border and have spent many hours over the years running and more recently cycling around the country lanes in the evening. Until recently I could count the number of times I had seen a barn owl on one hand, but over the last few weeks I have seen one just about every time I’ve been out for a ride. And not the same one each time as I am seeing them in different locations several miles apart.
My wife was also out for a walk recently (and in a place I do not ride) and saw one for the first time.
Last night I was doing my Coronavirus permitted cycling exercise riding down a lane at dusk when I was startled by something flying beside me. It was a barn owl (I also saw one the night before but in a location about 10 miles away). The owl then proceeded to fly down the side of the lane just to my front and side presumably in case I flushed out a mouse or something on the verge. After a minute or so of doing this it flew off across a field.
Am I just being lucky at the moment or is there a lot of barn owls about this year, possibly due to lots of mice, shrews, etc about?
My wife was also out for a walk recently (and in a place I do not ride) and saw one for the first time.
Last night I was doing my Coronavirus permitted cycling exercise riding down a lane at dusk when I was startled by something flying beside me. It was a barn owl (I also saw one the night before but in a location about 10 miles away). The owl then proceeded to fly down the side of the lane just to my front and side presumably in case I flushed out a mouse or something on the verge. After a minute or so of doing this it flew off across a field.
Am I just being lucky at the moment or is there a lot of barn owls about this year, possibly due to lots of mice, shrews, etc about?
You're lucky! 
Exact numbers aren't known, but are estimated to be between 4000 and 9000 pairs in the UK. They declined in the 1950s/1960s due to DDT usage, but following conservation efforts their numbers are thought to be increasing.
Breeding season is generally accepted as being between March and August, and they will be a lot more active when feeding young. You may even see them during the day. It may be that they are taking advantage of the good weather to catch food. Barn owls are silent in flight, but the trade-off is that their feathers aren't waterproof like other birds, so they can't feed when it's raining. They will do this when they are really hungry, but then they run the risk of dying from exposure.
We have some near us, but rarely see them. I've never had one flying that close to me, so consider yourself privileged.
Exact numbers aren't known, but are estimated to be between 4000 and 9000 pairs in the UK. They declined in the 1950s/1960s due to DDT usage, but following conservation efforts their numbers are thought to be increasing.
Breeding season is generally accepted as being between March and August, and they will be a lot more active when feeding young. You may even see them during the day. It may be that they are taking advantage of the good weather to catch food. Barn owls are silent in flight, but the trade-off is that their feathers aren't waterproof like other birds, so they can't feed when it's raining. They will do this when they are really hungry, but then they run the risk of dying from exposure.
We have some near us, but rarely see them. I've never had one flying that close to me, so consider yourself privileged.
Wow, I haven't seen one for some years. I recall sitting in a field with the girlfriend of the time and enjoying the view. I recall saying wouldn't it be great if we see a Barn Owl and a short while later one obliged. Remarkable especially as it was afternoon.
When I scattered my dogs ashes 12 Waxwings turned up and sat in the adjacent bush. The only bush for miles. I took that as being symbolic. Of what I'll never know.
When I scattered my dogs ashes 12 Waxwings turned up and sat in the adjacent bush. The only bush for miles. I took that as being symbolic. Of what I'll never know.
IPK said:
They do seem more visible this year. This is one that visits. Just outside Stafford. It’s a shame that HS2 will tear through the exact spot he perches on.
In the light of the current situation, and the likely aftermath, I reckon it's a safe bet that owls will be perching on that fence for many years to come!We started seeing them & I did a little bit of research, they need quite a large area to feed on (when rearing young the catch a lot of rodents!), the change with us was a grass field being left unmown & ungrazed aa trees were planted creating perfect environment for voles & things. Guess when the trees are up that may disappear.
Searched link again 20-25km of field boundary’s per pair.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlif...
Searched link again 20-25km of field boundary’s per pair.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlif...
I was waiting to pick my dauughter up from a supermarket she works in the other week,
it was going dark and a bit colder,
i looked up and saw it swooping over the car park, against the orange sky,
a beautiul thing, i expect i was the onlyone who saw it, everyone else was too busy purchasing wine boxes and various other vital supplies
what a privilidge i thought
it was going dark and a bit colder,
i looked up and saw it swooping over the car park, against the orange sky,
a beautiul thing, i expect i was the onlyone who saw it, everyone else was too busy purchasing wine boxes and various other vital supplies
what a privilidge i thought
IPK said:
They do seem more visible this year. This is one that visits. Just outside Stafford. It’s a shame that HS2 will tear through the exact spot he perches on.
Sadly where I keep seeing barn owls at the moment will also have HS2 coming through it. Makes you realise what the environmental impact of HS2 could be.
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