Summary of results for the 2006 breeding season.

 Despite general alarm that 2006 would turn out to be one of the worst on record with reports in the National press and media that the Barn Owl population had ‘crashed’ by up to 75%, this was a case of misinterpreting ‘up to 75% of young Barn owls have died’, into the ‘Barn Owl population has crashed by up to 75%’. Whilst in the Southwest where the report originated it had been a particularly bad season, this simply was not the case in Norfolk, and ultimately the breeding season turned out to be one of mixed fortunes. Although some established pairs did not attempt to breed conversely new sites were occupied for the first time including boxes newly installed the previous winter. A cold March together with May being one of the wettest on record caused some difficulties, although the effects were not consistent. During this time several females deserted their eggs and some pairs although hatching young, were unable to provision these chicks and consequently many and in some cases all chicks died and this indicates that there was a food shortage. However other pairs were successful in raising young, although brood sizes were generally small. It seems that in some areas this food shortage was more pronounced than in others hence the ability of some pairs to successfully produce some young where other pairs failed. We visited over 400 potential nesting sites to check the nest boxes and we recorded a total of 158 active pairs, a further 31 sites had at least one bird roosting although breeding did not take place.  Altogether we ringed 320 chicks and 12 new adults.  

Nest Distribution 2006