Barn owls have made their way to the far north – but still need help
Making Space for Nature by Andy Summers
The barn owl is one of the most iconic and hauntingly beautiful birds of the British countryside.
Known for their silent flight and striking white faces, these nocturnal hunters are crucial to controlling rodent populations.
The barn owl population has recovered from a low point during the 1970s and 1980s and may now exceed 10,000 breeding pairs. Since then they have moved northwards and reached the far north Highlands.
But the population has still not reached its full potential. One way we can help is by installing barn owl nesting boxes to provide these birds with safe spaces to breed and raise their young.
Historically, barn owls nested in old barns, hollow trees, and other secluded spots, often close to open fields where they could hunt for small mammals.
However, modern agricultural practices, urban expansion, and the renovation of old farm buildings have significantly reduced these natural nesting sites. With fewer barns and trees available, barn owls face increasing challenges in finding safe locations to breed.
By installing purpose-built barn owl nesting boxes, we can help compensate for the loss of these traditional habitats. Nesting boxes offer barn owls a secure place to rear their young, ensuring they can maintain healthy populations in both rural and semi-rural areas.
When installing a barn owl nesting box, location is key. Barn owls prefer open countryside or rough grassland where they can hunt for voles, mice, and other small rodents. Ideally, the box should be positioned at least 4 metres off the ground, away from roads, and in a quiet, undisturbed area.
Orientation matters as well. Nesting boxes should be placed with the entrance facing away from prevailing winds and ideally away from direct sunlight to provide a cool, sheltered environment. In Highland, where the weather can be harsh, sheltering the box from the elements can be particularly important.
Barn owl nesting boxes can either be purchased pre-made or constructed as a DIY project. Inside the box, make sure there’s a ledge or floor space for the chicks to explore and develop before they are ready to fledge. You can line the box with a small amount of wood shavings to help absorb moisture and provide comfort, but it’s best to avoid using straw or hay, which can become damp and harbour bacteria.
Once your barn owl nesting box is in place you may well find it starts to be used this winter. It’s very important however to leave it undisturbed during the breeding season, which typically runs from March to August.
Barn owls are sensitive to human disturbance, so any monitoring should be done from a distance. Indeed, once you know that your nest box is being used by a nesting barn owl you need a license to look inside the box.
If you want to check whether the box has occupants, look for signs of activity such as pellets (regurgitated bones and fur) and white droppings and even down feathers near the entrance. You can also contact the Highland raptor group if you have an owl on your property, they may wish to ring the owl and keep an eye on them, and they will have someone with the requisite licence for this.
Providing barn owl nesting boxes is a simple but powerful way to make space for nature in our landscapes. Whether you live in a rural area or on the outskirts of a village, you can contribute to the conservation of these magnificent birds.
• Making Space for Nature is a wildlife column with tips about how we can act to help wildlife in our communities. This month’s wildlife columnist is Andy Summers, High Life Highland senior ranger for the north Highlands.
