Barn owls not seen, Good news?

At the end of last winter and running into spring it was not unusual to see Barn owls hunting in daylight. One afternoon I saw four Barn owls and a Short-eared owl hunting at the same time in one of the hay meadows at Halls farm. From a selfish bird watching and photographic perspective it was excellent. However, for the owls it was very bad news. In 2012 Barn owl numbers recovered to levels not seen in Suffolk since the 1930s. Last winter the Barn owls were hunting in day-light because they did not have enough food, many were too thin to breed last year and more died of starvation.

This winter is different, Suffolk Barn owls are much more difficult to see. But, they are still here. I have been watching them in several places, they are coming out to hunt usually just around sunset. The good news this year is that they are not out for long, the Barn owls I have seen are catching voles and mice within a minute or two of starting to hunt. Within 20 minutes they have caught enough and go back to a roosting or nesting site and disappear. At Micklemere near Ixworth last week the owl I was watching caught 3 voles in 10 minutes and went back to its box, much to the annoyance of a pair of Magpies who were finding it harder to get food.

The Halls farm Barn owls are still living in the old Heston Bales at the Back of the large open straw barn. At this time of year they are trying put on weight before starting to lay eggs in the spring. If they continue to catch rodents at the rate they are now they should have a successful breeding year.

I have also seen Barn owls near the nest boxes on Halls Farm and Little Haugh Farm but not as often as last year. This is good news and could mean a good breeding year but not so good for photography!

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