Increase in Cork's barn owl population 'heartening to see'

BirdWatch Ireland in partnership with Cork County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has completed a survey that shows the largest increase in barn owls across Cork for the past 50 years.

The survey, carried out last year, funded by Cork County Council, and supported by the NPWS under the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2017-2021), reported an increase in recorded breeding range of 132 per cent over the last 10 years, and an increase of 480 per cent since the 1980s, when the barn owl population of Cork was at its lowest.

In total, 114 nest sites were found in Cork, with the majority of these in ruined and abandoned buildings.

Welcoming the positive findings, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn said: “It is heartening to see that the barn owl population is now on the increase. 

"It is hoped that annual monitoring of barn owl nests in Cork will continue, which will contribute to an understanding of the local population and pressures [that] barn owls face.” 

Alan McCarthy of BirdWatch Ireland said that the barn owl population increase in Cork has been "truly incredible" to witness.

"The reasons behind their recent population increases are not fully understood since many of the threats to barn owls such as habitat loss and rodenticide poisoning still remain.

"It is important that we do not become complacent and that we ensure to make the most of these short-term increases by taking measures that will benefit them and other wildlife in the long-term.

"One of these measures is the provision of barn owl nest boxes, which is already showing its benefits, as 40% of recorded nests were in nest boxes in 2023.” 

Donncha O’Teangana, a BirdWatch Ireland volunteer, who headed the East Cork Barn Owl Nest Box Project said that they met many farmers and landowners who were extremely positive and engaging when it came to barn owl conservation.

"It is fantastic to see this engagement being rewarded with many barn owls now taking up residence in nest boxes we have installed in the last few years.” 

People can help the survey and conservation efforts by reporting information on barn owls in the county by visiting www.birdwatchireland.ie