Largest brood of endangered Barn Owl chicks recorded in the north of Ireland

Irish wildlife conservationists have welcomed the five new chicks of the endangered Barn Owl on private farmland near Lough Neagh (Irish: Loch nEachach).  It is the biggest brood of barn owls recorded in the north of Ireland. The nest site, located in an abandoned outbuilding, normally produces one to two chicks per year. 

The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is a characteristic farmland bird and has undergone a documented decline in its geographical range over recent years. They are a Red-listed Bird of Conservation Concern In Ireland due to a decline of over 50% in their population during the past 25 years.  

The reasons for the Barn owls decline are thought to be due to a number of factors. Including the loss of suitable habitat due to various aspects of agricultural intensification and the increased use of harmful second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides. The loss of suitable nest sites and expansion of major road networks are also seen as responsible..