Selection and use of nest sites by barn owls in Norfolk, England

Published source details Johnson P.N. (1994) Selection and use of nest sites by barn owls in Norfolk, England. Journal of Raptor Research, 28, 149-153.
Share Tweet Email

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide owl nest boxes (Tawny owl, Barn owl) Action Link
	Provide artificial nesting sites for owls Action Link

Provide owl nest boxes (Tawny owl, Barn owl)

A before-and-after study at a 150 km² site in Norfolk, UK (Johnson 1994) found that barn owl Tyto alba population density increased from 15 pairs/100 km² in 1989 to 27 pairs/100 km² in 1993, following the provision of 60 nest boxes. Nest boxes were used at the same rate as natural nest sites, and pairs using boxes in trees produced more eggs (but not significantly more fledglings) than other nest types. Nest boxes were located in buildings (43 boxes, a maximum of 11 used in a single year) and on trees (17 boxes, a maximum of five used in a single year).
Provide artificial nesting sites for owls

A before-and-after study at a 150 km² in Norfolk, England (Johnson 1994), found that barn owl Tyto alba population density increased from 15 pairs/100 km² in 1989 to 27 pairs/100 km² in 1993, following the provision of 60 nest boxes. Nest boxes were used at the same rate as natural nest sites, and pairs using boxes in trees produced more eggs (but not significantly more fledglings) than other nest types. Nest boxes were located in buildings (43 boxes, a maximum of 11 used in a single year) and on trees (17 boxes, a maximum of five used in a single year).