Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is a bird of prey which is common throughout the UK. However, the species has suffered a significant decline in the 20th century. It is nocturnal and feeds mainly on mice, voles, shrews and some larger mammals and small birds.
Legislation
Barn Owl is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, in England. It listed on Schedule 1, meaning it is protected from killing, injuring or taking; take, damage or destroy a nest that is in use or being built, or taking or destroying eggs; and disturbing a barn owl while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young. A survey licence is therefore required to survey for barn owl.
Types of Survey
Surveys commence with a desk study to understand the distribution of Barn Owl within 3km of a proposed development.
Internal inspection of buildings and trees are undertaken under a survey licence to ascertain whether the barn owl is present or likely absent.
Breeding bird survey can be used to ascertain whether barn owl is present in a woodland.
Survey Season
Barn Owl surveys can be undertaken at any time of year.
Licences
We hold the necessary survey licences to undertake surveys.