Spot a Barn Owl? Leitrim survey needs your help

BirdWatch Ireland and Leitrim County Council have launched the 2025 Leitrim Barn Owl Survey, a new initiative aimed at identifying Barn Owl nest sites across Leitrim. 

The survey is being undertaken by BirdWatch Ireland and is funded by Leitrim County Council, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund.

The goal is to establish the current status and distribution of Barn Owls in Leitrim by locating nest and roost sites, and identifying any Barn Owl nest boxes that have been installed throughout the county. 

This will allow conservationists to gain an understanding of the local Barn Owl population and implement conservation measures to support them.

Once widespread in Ireland, Barn Owls have experienced sharp population declines due to a combination of factors, including the loss of suitable nesting and foraging habitats, increased use of rodenticides, road collisions, and land use changes. 

Efforts to conserve Barn Owls have shown signs of success in some areas, but knowledge of their presence in Leitrim remains limited.

BirdWatch Ireland is appealing to the public, particularly farmers, landowners, and rural residents, to report Barn Owl sightings, active or historic nest sites, roosting locations, or the presence of nest boxes. Such knowledge is essential for uncovering the whereabouts of these elusive birds.

“Local people are often the first to notice signs of Barn Owls, whether it’s hearing their distinctive screeches at night, spotting them at dusk, or finding owl pellets beneath or within an old building or at the base of a tree,” said Alan McCarthy, Barn Owl Research Officer with BirdWatch Ireland.

“We are asking anyone in Leitrim who has seen or heard a Barn Owl, has installed a Barn Owl nest box, or who knows of a possible nest or roost site, to get in touch. These reports are incredibly valuable and could help guide conservation action to protect Barn Owls in the county.”

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Barn Owls are most often found nesting in old and derelict buildings, tree cavities, and specially installed nest boxes in quiet, undisturbed locations. They are strictly nocturnal and feed mainly on small mammals such as mice, rats and voles, making them important natural pest controllers.

BirdWatch Ireland stresses that Barn Owls are a protected species and can be very sensitive to disturbance, and that potential nest sites should never be approached or interfered with in any way.

The survey will run throughout the summer of 2025, with fieldwork being carried out by BirdWatch Ireland. All sightings and information provided by the public will be treated in confidence.

The survey is being launched as part of a range of events to celebrate National Biodiversity Week 2025 and The Leitrim Gathering.

“I am thrilled to be launching the first County Leitrim Survey of Barn Owls this year. There is currently very little information regarding the distribution of Barn Owls in Leitrim so the data gathered from the survey is crucial to help with the protection of this iconic bird,” said Rebeccah Cogan, Biodiversity Officer, with Leitrim County Council.

“To celebrate both National Biodiversity Week and The Leitrim Gathering, we are offering a free event for the public to come along and learn more about Barn Owls”. 

The event will see John Lusby of Birdwatch Ireland deliver an engaging talk on the fascinating world of the Barn Owl, at the Landmark Hotel on Friday, May 23 from 6pm to 7:30pm. Spaces are limited and can be reserved here.

Anyone with information about Barn Owls in Leitrim is encouraged to visit the Barn Owl Survey page on the BirdWatch Ireland website, or email any information to amccarthy@birdwatchireland.ie.

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