Council takes barn owls under its wing

Mid and East Antrim Council is taking one of the province's most endangered species - the barn owl - under its wing.
Mayor Audrey Wales pictured with Ballykeel PS pupils who helped build barn owl nest boxes. (Submitted Picture).Mayor Audrey Wales pictured with Ballykeel PS pupils who helped build barn owl nest boxes. (Submitted Picture).
Mayor Audrey Wales pictured with Ballykeel PS pupils who helped build barn owl nest boxes. (Submitted Picture).

The local authority has introduced nest boxes specially for the iconic bird at three sites across the borough.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, Councillor Audrey Wales MBE, said: “There are thought to be less than 30 to 40 breeding pairs left in Northern Ireland with the main reason for the barn owl’s decline being the loss of suitable feeding and nesting sites.

“In order to enhance our parks and open spaces for barn owls our staff have specially chosen three sites in the borough as potential barn owl habitat and have installed three custom built barn owl nest boxes.

Mayor Cllr Audrey Wales is shown here with one of the local owls that may benefit from the nesting boxes that have been installed at Eden Allotment Gardens Carrickfergus, Diamond Jubilee Wood Whitehead and Ecos Nature Park Ballymena.Mayor Cllr Audrey Wales is shown here with one of the local owls that may benefit from the nesting boxes that have been installed at Eden Allotment Gardens Carrickfergus, Diamond Jubilee Wood Whitehead and Ecos Nature Park Ballymena.
Mayor Cllr Audrey Wales is shown here with one of the local owls that may benefit from the nesting boxes that have been installed at Eden Allotment Gardens Carrickfergus, Diamond Jubilee Wood Whitehead and Ecos Nature Park Ballymena.

“The boxes have been installed at Eden Allotment Gardens Carrickfergus, Diamond Jubilee Wood Whitehead and Ecos Nature Park Ballymena,” Councillor Wales said.

Local schools Ballykeel Primary School, Eden Primary, Kilcoan Primary School helped out with the project, with pupils learning all about barns owls and helping to build the nest boxes.

These three sites all offer rough grassland near the edges of watercourses, with good rodent populations and so provide ideal hunting habitats.

Bird expert, Aidan Crean, explained: “The habitats in Mid and East Antrim offer great feeding opportunities for barn owls but there was a lack of suitable nest sites in the area.

Mayor Cllr Audrey Wales is shown here with one of the local owls that may benefit from the nesting boxes that have been installed at Eden Allotment Gardens Carrickfergus, Diamond Jubilee Wood Whitehead and Ecos Nature Park Ballymena.Mayor Cllr Audrey Wales is shown here with one of the local owls that may benefit from the nesting boxes that have been installed at Eden Allotment Gardens Carrickfergus, Diamond Jubilee Wood Whitehead and Ecos Nature Park Ballymena.
Mayor Cllr Audrey Wales is shown here with one of the local owls that may benefit from the nesting boxes that have been installed at Eden Allotment Gardens Carrickfergus, Diamond Jubilee Wood Whitehead and Ecos Nature Park Ballymena.

“Hopefully barn owls will find and use these new nest boxes. If even one box is used, we can monitor it and this will make a significant contribution to the knowledge of these mysterious birds.

“So keep a look out and if you are lucky enough to see one of these wonderful birds, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council would be delighted to hear from you.

“However, please do not disturb the barn owl in any way. They are protected under the Wildlife Order and it is an offence to disturb the birds or their nests,” Aidan added.

* Mid and East Antrim Borough Council wants to encourage people to get involved in local biodiversity through its

Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) which was launched in December 2014. For more information visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/biodiversity