'Old Hushwing' claws its way back from extinction
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The barn owl, one of our most threatened birds, is making a comeback after years of decline.
For the first time in more than half a century, numbers appear to be increasing again, reversing a sharp decline which saw the British population shrink by 70 per cent since the 1930s.
The proliferation of road traffic, the destruction of hedgerows and the trend towards converting barns into flats and holiday cottages have had devastating effects on the barn owl.
Britain lies on the bird's northernmost limit, and harsh winters and considerable snow cover in recent years have added to the plight of the barn owl, reducing its favoured food supply of mice and voles.
The last major survey, completed by the Hawk and Owl Trust in the mid-1980s, found that numbers had fallen to less than 4,500 pairs since the 1930s.
A nationwide project was set up by the British Trust for Ornithology two years ago to counter this decline. Project Barn Owl is now more than half way through its three-year run and its co-ordinator, Mike Toms, said mid-term estimates looked encouraging.
"Barn owls are having a booming summer this year. We won't know exactly how well they are doing until next year, but early reports from all over the country show more birds are breeding and many sites that were not used last year are being used again," he said.
"More chicks are being raised in each brood. Where we might have expected three chicks in each brood, we are getting reports of four or five."
In north Norfolk, where Mr Toms is based, there are six breeding pairs where before there were only two.
He believes the mild winter and a better public awareness of the plight of these birds of prey have helped considerably.
"The warmer weather over last winter meant there was more food about for the owls, and people have been putting up more boxes which the owls have taken to," he said.
In mythology the barn owl is a harbinger of death. To farmers however, Old Hushwing, as it is also known, is welcome on account of its appetite for rodents. To Mr Toms and his colleagues on Project Barn Owl, the bird is a precious member of Britain's wildlife community. And, in spite its recent recovery, it still remains on the danger list.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments