Barn owl daylight robbery

We frequently used to see barn owls hunting in daylight on our shoot in North Norfolk, but in the past two or three years we have had considerably fewer sightings. However, the two barn owl boxes on the shoot were both used successfully this year and last, so the owls are still here, we’re just not seeing them. Why not?

Norfolk has long been one of the best places in Britain to see barn owls, not simply because the population is healthy, but because they often hunt during the day. However, in recent years it has become noticeable that fewer barn owls are out hunting in daylight, and it is thought that this is probably due to an increase in avian predators — principally buzzards and red kites — in the county. Barn owls are highly effective hunters and their success attracts the unwelcome attention of these bigger birds of prey, which will harry them and rob them of their prey.

To avoid such daylight robbery, the owls have stopped hunting as much by day, and instead hunt at times when they are less likely to be mugged by the predators. Interestingly, on the Continent, where barn owls are generally both widespread and common, it’s very rare to see individuals flying during the day, and this is thought to be due to the risk of being robbed by other raptors. DT

Barn owls hunting by day is a far less frequent sight these days