Barn owl numbers take off again in Shropshire
Barn owls are on the increase in Shropshire – a little more than a year after it was feared they were dying out.
The owls, which are Britain's favourite bird of prey, seemed under threat because of the harsh winter of 2013.
But recent figures show they have started breeding again, with some even producing two families, meaning bird watchers will be seeing them take to the Shropshire skies more often.
John Hughes, spokesman for Shropshire Wildlife Trust, said: "This is fantastic news to see the number of barn owls increasing across the UK, but they are not out of the woods just yet. Sadly, barn owls are victims of a lot of road accidents. This is because they hop over fences when they are hunting, as they are just following their instincts and sometimes they end up wandering into traffic.
"Also, if you get a lot of snow they struggle to hunt as mice and voles don't come out, so unfortunately they starve."
He added: "Last year was a good year for owls as there was a lot of food about, and this would have had a huge impact on the number of chicks born. And I am sure that many people will be very pleased to see these beautiful birds flying over Shropshire once again."
In 1932 there were 287 breeding pairs of barn owls in Shropshire but in 2002 the Shropshire Barn Owl Group estimated the population was as low as 121.
The group say the decline is due to the loss of land for them to live, a reduction in the availability of nest sites in old trees and barns and housing.
The barn owl is amber-listed as a species of medium conservation concern in the UK.
Don't forget you can submit you bird pictures to out 'Birds of a Feather' Star Witness gallery here and be in with a chance of winning £100.
