Barn owl population in serious decline, survey results show

The bird population and its nests need greater protections, and biodiverse hunting grounds need to stop being turned into gardens.

That was the conclusion of a survey presented to La Societe Guernesiaise’s AGM last night.

The report, written by Julie Davis, of its ornithology section, stated that the scale of decrease in species-rich grassland was of major concern.

‘If the island continues to lose this valuable foraging habitat at its current rate, what remains would only sustain a reduced barn owl population,’ said Ms Davis.

‘Increasing pressures for development, together with the lack of statutory habitat protection, pose a threat to the species' future.’

This was Guernsey’s first survey carried on the species and it concluded that the owl population was almost certainly in decline.

In autumn last year it had identified 76 individual birds, and 19 confirmed breeding sites.

Ms Davies admitted that the true population was probably higher than this.

‘There will have been sites that we don’t know about. We would love to hear from anyone, especially landowners who believe they have nesting or roosting barn owls on their land.’

The team behind the survey inferred the decline in population by comparing the number of nesting sites with historical data, much of it collected by amateur ornithologist Vic Froome.

‘Without Vic there wouldn’t be a barn owl population at all,’ she said.

‘Because of Dutch elm disease and the hurricane, Guernsey lost much of its nesting sites. Vic and other members of La Societe made boxes and put them all over the island.’

The survey noted that some of these boxes were nearing the end of their lives and La Societe was now working with the charity Grow to start a rolling programme to replace them.

Ms Davis said that the barn owl needed help from the States if it was to survive in Guernsey.

La Societe’s 2018 habitat survey had shown that the island had lost over a third of its species-rich grassland since 1999 – barn owls’ prime hunting territory.

‘I appreciate that the island is changing and there is a demand for housing, but the States need to up the ante for wildlife,’ she said.

‘When sites like former vineries get planning permission, the barn owls lose hunting areas. We also have the issue of the loss of agricultural land to domestic curtilage. Some of these areas will be prime areas for biodiversity and barn owls.’

She also highlighted the lack of protection barn owls had in law.

‘The only legislation here is that you are not allowed to disturb a nest. But if you believe a nest is empty there is no restriction, even though there is a good chance birds will return in the future. We need more statutory protection, the island’s wildlife laws are out of date.’

Despite the gloomy forecast she was hopeful barn owls had a future in Guernsey and that every islander could play their part.

‘If you have a garden, re-wild a part of it, increase its biodiversity to give a home to the barn owls’ prey. People with large gardens could consider putting up an owl box. Farmers can leave strips around fields for native plants. Try not to use poisons for removing rats, as barn owls do feed on them.’

The survey team is repeating the project this year, and would like to hear of any barn owl sightings by emailing the Biological Records Centre at gsybiorecords@gmail.com