Barn Owls

It’s a great picture, but not just for show.  These awesome and beautiful birds are red listed in Northern Ireland, with perhaps just 20 pairs left.

Their main prey is usually is the field vole which is largely absent from Ireland.  It has however been introduced in some areas and the population is growing.  So it is a complex story for the Barn Owl.  Maybe Barn Owls should not be present there in numbers after all.  However they are persecuted, have little suitable habitat due to agricultural practices and are heavily impacted by rodenticides (which do not impact field voles!).  Its a scientific conundrum.  However, we must fight to end use of rodenticides in rural areas.

Earth and Leaf, Driven by Science.

Barn Owls © Pete Dunn Photography