Fermanagh sees rare 'bounty' of barn owl chicks
A nature conservation charity has said that a "bounty" of barn owl chicks has been recorded in Co. Fermanagh for the first time.
Ulster Wildlife said the discovery offers hope for one of Northern Ireland's rarest birds and have prompted an appeal for more sightings.
Two barn owl pairs were found to have bred successfully on farm visits this summer by Ulster Wildlife, each raising five chicks.
According to the charity, a brood of five chicks is above the average for barn owls indicating a good breeding year for the iconic farmland species.
Five chicks have already fledged from one site, while the other brood are just a few weeks behind.
Barn owl chicks
Barn owls face a range of pressures locally including habitat loss, rodenticide use and lack of food prey.
Estimates now suggest that there are fewer than 30 breeding pairs remaining in Northern Ireland, making them a red-listed species on the Irish Birds of Conservation Concern and protected under the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985.
For several years, Ulster Wildlife has worked with local landowners to install nest boxes and help create the right conditions for barn owls to thrive.
The new chicks became the first known to be ringed in the county under licence from NI Environment Agency, with support from the British Trust for Ornithology.
Ringing provides invaluable information about their survival, movements and future breeding success, helping to protect Northern Ireland's tiny barn owl population.
Katy Bell, senior conservation officer with Ulster Wildlife said that following a difficult breeding season last year for barn owls, "finding two successful nest sites, each with five healthy chicks, is fantastic news".
"Barn owls remain incredibly scarce in Co. Fermanagh, with few reported sightings, so this is a real boost for their conservation – and a real cause for celebration.
"None of this would have been possible without the support of local farmers and landowners like Mannok Build, who reported the birds to us and are managing their land in ways that support nature.
"As a result, we are now able to protect these sites and safeguard them from disturbance, ensuring Fermanagh’s barn owls have the best chance of success," she said.
As barn owls are so rare in the west of Northern Ireland, the exact locations of the nest sites are being kept confidential.
Sightings
Ulster Wildlife is now calling on anyone who has spotted a barn owl in western counties of Northern Ireland to report their sighting.
Every single observation could help conservationists discover an unknown breeding pair and protect an important nest site.
"We believe there are more barn owls out there than our records currently show, particularly across the west of Northern Ireland.
"While there are no confirmed nest sites currently known in counties Tyrone or Derry, regular sightings suggest breeding birds are likely to be present.
"If you think you've seen or heard a barn owl, we'd love to hear from you.
"This information could help us locate important breeding areas and protect these iconic birds for the future," Bell said.
Barn owls are mostly nocturnal but can be seen hunting at dawn and dusk over fields, hedgerows or roadside verges.
Their heart-shaped face and pale white underparts can be spotted in low light.
The birds nest in old buildings, hollow tree trunks or use artificial nest boxes.
Ulster Wildlife is particularly keen to hear from farmers, landowners and anyone who regularly travels rural roads at dawn or dusk.
All sightings are treated in the strictest confidence to help protect these vulnerable birds.
