GHOSTS OF THE HEDGEROWS: SAVING NORTHERN IRELAND’S BARN OWL

The Barn Owl in Northern Ireland

The barn owl (Tyto alba) is one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic birds, easily recognised by its heart-shaped face and ghostly white feathers. Once more common across the countryside, this beautiful owl is now in serious trouble. Today, there are fewer than 30 breeding pairs left in Northern Ireland, making it one of our rarest birds.

Why The Barn Owls Are Struggling

There are several reasons why barn owl numbers have dropped so low.

HABITAT LOSS: Over the years, farming methods have changed. Wild places like rough grasslands, hedgerows and old barns have disappeared, leaving barn owls with fewer places to hunt and nest.

BAD WEATHER: Northern Ireland’s wet and windy weather is tough on barn owls. Their feathers aren’t waterproof, so they can’t hunt well in rain. Cold, wet spells also make it harder for them to survive and raise chicks.

POISONING: Barn owls often eat mice and rats that have eaten poison. This is called secondary poisoning, and it can make the owls very sick or even kill them.

ROAD COLLISIONS: Barn owls hunt low over fields and road verges, so they often get hit by cars. Just one collision can wipe out a whole local pair, especially when numbers are already low.

Hope Through Conservation

Despite these problems, people are working hard to help barn owls. Ulster Wildlife, a local conservation charity, is leading efforts to protect them. They install nest boxes, monitor owl numbers, advise farmers, and encourage people to report sightings.

Some farms are already seeing success. At a farm in Strangford, barn owls returned after a nest box was installed. Over six years, 15 chicks were raised thanks to good habitat and reduced use of poisons. Another nest was discovered in Downpatrick in 2022 with three healthy chicks — a great sign that these efforts are working.

How You Can Help

Everyone can do something to help barn owls survive:

• Report sightings to Ulster Wildlife — even if the owl is dead. This helps them track where barn owls live.

• Protect habitats by leaving wild patches of grass and keeping old barns if you’re a landowner.

• Avoid rodenticides or use safer alternatives to protect owls from poisoned prey.

• Support local charities like Ulster Wildlife, who are leading the fight to save barn owls.

Raising Aawarness Through Art

In March 2025, a large mural of a barn owl was painted at Bog Meadows Nature Reserve in Belfast. Created as part of The Ark of Extinction project, it aims to raise awareness about the owl’s decline and inspire people to get involved. Public art like this can help connect communities with nature and give these beautiful birds a fighting chance.

Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are one of Britain’s most iconic native species, but their numbers have drastically declined over the past century. Once widespread across the UK, they have been largely displaced by the introduction of the non-native grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), brought from North America in the 19th century. Today, red squirrels are primarily found in Scotland, northern England, parts of Wales, and a few isolated areas such as Anglesey and the Isle of Wight. Conservation efforts across the country aim to protect and restore red squirrel populations, but the battle is ongoing.

Why Are Red Squirrels Endangered?

The decline of the red squirrel in the UK is primarily due to competition from grey squirrels and the devastating impact of squirrel pox. Grey squirrels outcompete reds for food and habitat, as they are opportunistic feeders and thrive in both urban and rural environments. However, the most severe threat comes from squirrel pox, a disease carried by greys that is harmless to them but fatal to reds. :

“It only takes one grey to transmit and decimate a population of reds within a few weeks, causing a slow death similar to myxomatosis in rabbits.”

— Jackie Foott, Red Squirrel South West

Without effective grey squirrel control, red squirrels continue to struggle for survival. Conservationists emphasize that the key to protecting reds is not just reintroducing them but ensuring that their habitats remain free from grey squirrels.

Ongoing Conservation Efforts

Despite the challenges, there is hope for red squirrels in the UK. Decades of conservation work have helped red squirrel populations remain stable in some regions and even return to areas where they had disappeared. Jackie, who has been involved in red squirrel conservation in Cumbria for over 30 years, highlights the importance of long-term dedication:

“Because of all the work done by volunteers during this time, the reds are holding their own and even returning to areas where they have not been seen for many years.”

— Jackie Foott, Red Squirrel South West

Projects such as the Cornwall Squirrel Project, now part of Red Squirrel South West, aim to control grey squirrel numbers on a large scale primarily to protect trees, wildlife, crops and property from the negative impact of grey squirrels. With support from stakeholders and dedicated volunteers, the initiative seeks to remove greys from the South West Peninsula, ultimately paving the way for red squirrel reintroductions in the future.

The Role of Art in Conservation

Art can play a crucial role in raising awareness about endangered species. In February 2025, a red squirrel mural was unveiled in Redruth, Cornwall, as part of The Ark of Extinction, a global mural project dedicated to highlighting species at risk. The mural, created in collaboration with Redruth Council, was officially opened during the St Piran’s Day Festival.

The mural serves not only as a striking piece of public art but also as a reminder of the conservation efforts needed to protect Cornwall’s natural heritage. Public art like this can engage the community, spark conversations, and inspire action to protect red squirrels and other endangered species.

A Long Road Ahead, But Not Without Hope

The ultimate goal for conservationists is to see red squirrels thriving again in the South West and beyond. However, this will take years of dedicated effort in landscape-scale grey squirrel control. While the return of red squirrels to Cornwall may still be a distant vision, the foundations are being laid today.

With continued public awareness, volunteer support, and strategic grey squirrel management, there is a real possibility of red squirrels making a comeback in areas where they have long been absent. As Jackie optimistically puts it:

“All is not lost for red squirrels.”

— Jackie Foott, Red Squirrel South West

For now, projects like Red Squirrel South West and their working project Cornwall Squirrel Project, and initiatives such as The Ark of Extinction continue to shine a light on the plight of the red squirrel—ensuring that future generations will still have the chance to see these beautiful creatures in the wild.