Barn Owls are one of the many birds included in the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. This provides them with protection against any disturbance while they are nesting. Barn owls are also provided with the basic legal protection that is given to most wild birds throughout the UK. This means it’s a punishable offence to disturb a barn owl while it is building a nest or is near a nest with eggs or young. It is also an offence to disturb the dependent young of a barn owl. Protection ends once a young owl is independent or dies. Usually, they will become fully dependent between 11-14 weeks.
This is why it’s important to know how to protect barn owls. The best way to do this is through a barn owl survey.
What Is A Barn Owl Survey?
A barn owl survey is a method used to explore a structure including a building or a tree that could provide support for roosting barn owls. Typically, a survey will explore evidence of recent barn owl activity. This could include:
- Barn owl droppings
- Regurgitated pellets
- Moulted feathers
Evidence like this may be found under the root or nest sites. Nesting areas can be located on walls, on the ground or tree trunks.
When Do You Need A Barn Owl Survey?
A barn owl survey will be required if there are signs of a potential nest site or signs of a barn owl have been recorded. Although this is particularly important during the late breeding season that takes place between mid-June to late-July, barn owls have been recorded nesting at any time of year.
How To Protect UK Barn Owls
The best way to protect barn owls is to make sure barn owl surveys are completed at key times. This includes when there is any development on a property, the demolition of a building or structure, or before a tree that is suspected of homing barn owls is cut down.
What Surveys Do Barn Owls Need To Protect Them
There are various surveys that can be used including protected species surveys. Several types of surveys can be used to protect barn owls.
Baseline Survey
A baseline survey includes a preliminary ecological appraisal to look at buildings and other habitats where barn owl nests may be. Depending on the results of this survey, more surveys and investigations may be required. Baseline surveys can take place at any time during the year.
Preliminary Root Assessment (PRA)
A PRA explores buildings and trees. The results of this survey may result in the recommendation of precautionary measures. While usually associated with bats, the survey can be used to inspect buildings for birds including barn owls.
Breeding Bird Surveys
Bird breeding surveys are used to establish which type of birds are breeding around a particular site. It can identify the foraging habits of barn owls. Usually, a surveyor will walk around and inspect a location at dawn to assess for crepuscular species, including barn owls. This type of survey will be conducted between April and July.
Nesting Bird Check
A survey like this will be conducted before development to check for any signs of young birds including fledglings being present. If a nest or eggs are discovered, a buffer zone is created to protect the young until they have fledged. While this usually takes place between March and August, barn owls have been recorded nesting throughout the year. As such, it is recommended that this type of survey is completed regardless of the time of year.
While not an endangered species, barn owls still require protection from disturbance and the destruction of their nests. Barn owl surveys provide the best option here. If you want to know more about Bird Surveys, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
