Award-winning wildlife enthusiast discovers rare barn owls on his farm

Award-winning wildlife enthusiast discovers rare barn owls on his farm

17 July 2019

DOWNPATRICK farmer David Sandford has scored a major wildlife coup with the discovery of a new barn owl nest on his farm.

The appearance of two fluffy white chicks this week from a nest box erected almost five years ago on the 220-acre Sandford farm had also delighted conservationists from Ulster Wildlife.

The find brings the number of active barn owl nests in Northern Ireland up to three which is a welcome addition to our barn owl population, which is estimated to be fewer than 30 to 50 breeding pairs.

Mr Sandford is well-known for supporting wildlife on his farm and was awarded the Farming Life and Danske Bank NI Wildlife Farmer of the Year award in 2015 and the National UK Purdey Gold Award in 2016. 

“About two weeks ago, I thought I heard snoring sounds coming from one of the nest boxes,” said Mr Sandford, who also chairs the Nature Friendly Farming Network.

“This is a distinctive begging call made by hungry chicks, so you can imagine my excitement after years of occasional sightings. I contacted Ulster Wildlife immediately to take a look and was ecstatic when we found chicks.”

The establishment of the nest augurs well for the future as barn owls return to the same each location to breed.

The fact that the parent owls chose one of the farm’s nest boxes was also fortunate as they prefer to nest in old buildings or hollow tree trunks.

Conor McKinney, from Ulster Wildlife, said: “We are delighted for David whose wonderful farm is now home to a family of barn owls and pleased one of our nest boxes finally attracted some special occupants. 

“Barn owls are in serious decline in Northern Ireland caused by a lack of nest sites and suitable foraging habitat. Luckily, this pair couldn’t have chosen a more sympathetic farm to 

set up home with wild bird cover, meadows and mature hedgerows – holding plentiful mice and shrews for barn owls to thrive.”

The chicks were checked and ringed under license from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to help monitor their health and survival.

During the process, a ring was spotted on one of the adults as it flew from the nest, which the charity believes may have been one of the chicks it ringed over the years from a neighbouring nest site on the Ards Peninsula.

To help ensure the survival of Northern Ireland’s endangered barn owls, Ulster Wildlife has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to raise £20,000.

A donation of just £10 could help improve 1m of hedgerow and £100 could help build and install a nest box.  If you give a hoot, donate today at www.ulsterwildlife.org or call 028 9045 4094.