Barn Owls

Whilst Tawny Owls, famous for their 'twit twoo' sounds, have been regulars at Bland Close Farm, a Barn Owl had not been seen on the farm in living memory until one was spotted on the farm lane in 2021.   

We built two owl boxes which were erected on the farm in 2022 and were delighted to discover that one box was utilised the following season and both boxes occupied in 2024. 

Our arable fields contain unfarmed grass and floristically-enhanced grass margins ranging from 6 to 24 meters in width which provide habitat for populations of small mammals, such as voles and harvest mice, thus providing food and ideal hunting environment for owls.

Barn Owls are regularly seen at Bland Close Farm at dawn and dusk hunting along the grass margins and their distinctive shrill screech heard.

Tawny Owls can regularly be heard, the female tawny owl makes the twit sound (ke-wick) while the male tawney owl responds with the twoo (hoo-hoo).

The downside of encouraging Owls is that they find our chickens rather tasty, killing the chicken and removing its head, which is high in essential fats and protein, whilst leaving the body.