BARN OWL

With heart shaped face, buff back and wings and pure white under parts the barn owl is a distinctive and much loved countryside bird. Widely distributed across the UK, and indeed the world, the bird has suffered declines over the past fifty years as a result of the degradation of once prey-rich habitats in the face of intensive agricultural practices. This decline, fortunately, has halted in many areas and the population may now be increasing.

Breeding
Open country, especially farmland with barns, and coastal marshland

Wintering
Similar to breeding habitats

Where to see it
Open country, along field edges, riverbanks and roadside verges.

What does it eat?
Mice, voles and shrews

What does it sound like?
Screeching, wheezing and gurgling.

When to see it
All year round; during the day, but best at dusk.