Barn owls suffered a more than 50% decline in the latter half of the 20th century for a variety of reasons, but are now starting to experience a small revival here in Durham. This revival is thought to be due to an increase in rough grassland areas for hunting as well as a reduction in pesticide use.

However we cannot be complacent, and if we are to capitalise on this local revival we need to help barn owl numbers recover even further by providing places for them to breed. Hollow trees are now scarce in the landscape, and many old barns and isolated buildings have been torn down or converted, so nest sites are in limited supply.

Over the last 5 years Durham Biodiversity Partnership has worked with Durham Bird Club to erect barn owl boxes in appropriate places. So far over 40 barn owl boxes have been erected. Now thanks to funding from County Durham Environmental Trust (CDENT) under the government's Landfill Communities Fund a further 40 Barn Owl boxes are being erected at locations along the Tees Valley, Wear Valley, Derwent Valley and around Darlington.   In 2009 (the first year of the project) 10 Barn Owl boxes were erected in suitable location.  Now, in 2010 a further 15 boxes have been erected in time for the breeding season.

To monitor the success of the project, the boxes will then require observation by a team of volunteers to see if they are being used by Barn Owls. If you are interested in finding out more about the project or volunteering to monitor the boxes contact Durham Biodiversity Partnership on 0191 5843112 or email on info@durhambiodiversity.org.uk

Barn Owl Action Plan