An additional 13 barn owl nest boxes will be installed in Co. Clare as part of the Return to Nature Clare Church Biodiversity Project which has linked up with the Clare Barn Owl Nest Box Scheme operated by BirdWatch Ireland.
The boxes will be set up in collaboration with around 10 farmers at the edge of towns and villages across the 10 parishes and 12 churches involved in the Return to Nature Clare Church Biodiversity Project in the coming weeks.
The project came about last year when the Irish Bishops Conference committed to managing 30% of church grounds for biodiversity by 2030. It links a local parish priest with community members to deliver biodiversity actions.
The biodiversity project is funded by Clare County Council, with additional funding from the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The council worked with the Diocese of Killaloe and signed up 10 parishes: Broadford; Clarecastle; Kilmaley; Inagh-Kilnamona; Mullagh; Cooraclare; Miltown Malbay (including Moy); Kilkee; Kilrush; and Killimer.
Barn owl nest boxes
The church biodiversity pilot project now compliments the Clare Barn Owl Nest Box Scheme which is led by BirdWatch Ireland and supported by Clare County Council.
Clare County Council has supported BirdWatch Ireland on the Barn Owl Nest Box Scheme since 2022, and has been engaging with communities and landowners to identify suitable barn owl nest box locations.
The barn owl is a red-listed bird species of conservation concern in Ireland attributed to declines in habitat loss. In 2022, BirdWatch Ireland and the council installed 16 barn owl boxes across the county as part of a pilot scheme.
Last year, monitoring of the nest boxes showed that Clare had the highest uptake rate of nest boxes within the first breeding season for any BirdWatch Ireland participating county to date.
The 13 additional boxes will be installed in proximity of the churches. “Barn owls need open farmland and we have to take into account their habitat requirements,” project lead and biodiversity officer with Clare County Council, Barry O’Loughlin said.
Participating landowners were asked to submit photographs of two locations which may be suitable habitat for barn owls. Tips on suitable structures, which could include old farm sheds, were given in a workshop ran by BirdWatch Ireland.
Speaking to Agriland, the biodiversity officer said nest boxes should be in a quiet location. He added that the “critical point” for the incubation of barn owls is in May and June, following the laying of eggs in late April and into May.
“The Clare Barn Owl Nest Box Scheme has gone from strength to strength since it was established two short years ago and demonstrates the interest in barn owl conservation among farmers and local communities in Clare,” raptor conservation officer with BirdWatch Ireland, John Lusby said.
Commenting on the scheme, Lusby said: “We have been delighted to work with landowners across the county to provide nest boxes and take actions to benefit barn owls and other biodiversity.
“It has been amazing to witness the response of barn owls to the scheme with many of the nest boxes taken up by barn owls and used for nesting.”
Linking up with the church biodiversity project, BirdWatch Ireland will now work with and alongside local communities to identify and provide nest boxes in suitable areas and, in some cases, on the church grounds.
“The barn owl’s name in Irish ‘Scréachóg reilige’ translates as ‘the graveyard screecher’ and often church grounds have significant potential for biodiversity.
“It is wonderful to see this being acknowledged, as enhancing biodiversity in and around the church will also help to connect people with nature when they visit the church,” the raptor conservation officer with BirdWatch Ireland said.
The church biodiversity project also included the creation of wildflower meadows, the installation of swift nest boxes and bat roost boxes on trees. Pollinator friendly fruit trees supplied by the Irish Seed Savers will be planted later this year.