Challenges Facing Staffordshire's Barn Owls This Year

2025 has been tough for breeding barn owls in Staffordshire, with very few chicks recorded in comparison to previous years. This mirrors a national trend which is possibly linked to the long, dry summer reducing vole numbers which are the owls’ main food source.

Barn owl by Jon Hawkins

Despite this, Staffordshire Wildlife reports that their nature reserves remain vital refuges for birds of prey.

Here’s how they are helping:

• Nest boxes installed with guidance from the Barn Owl Action Group (BOAG).

• Mature trees providing natural hollows for owls and kestrels.

• Careful grazing creating cover for small mammals - their essential prey.

  
  

There was some good news - two barn owl chicks fledged at Loynton Moss Nature Reserve and cross other SWT managed reserves there were signs of roosting. Every sighting matters, so please report birds of prey via Staffordshire Ecological Records or the iNaturalist app..

They also need more hands to check, make, and install nest boxes. Email swtboag@staffs-wildlife.org.uk to get involved.

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Challenges Facing Staffordshire's Barn Owls This Year - 10.11.25