20/12/2025
If you have stayed at The Old Rectory, you will know we have 2 owl boxes in our field. One was occupied by a young mother & babies this year. We received a newsletter recently, an interesting but worrying read.
Winter Newsletter 2025
As we head into autumn, we wanted to share an update on how our Barn Owls have fared
this year — and sadly, it’s been a very tough one for them.
A Difficult Year for Barn Owls
The very dry spring followed by prolonged summer drought has been deeply unfavourable
for voles, the Barn Owl’s main food source. With prey numbers so low, the Owls have had
a difficult decision to make: many didn’t attempt to breed at all, and those that did often
abandoned early clutches when they realised they simply couldn’t raise a family.
As a result, we are seeing very few youngsters this season. It’s
disheartening, but not unexpected in a year of such extreme conditions.
Nature has its cycles, and Barn Owls are remarkably sensible in how they
respond to shortages.
We’re really hopeful that next year will bring better conditions, healthier vole
populations, and an upturn in breeding success. In the meantime, every little
bit we can do to help will make a difference.
How You Can Help Barn Owls This Winter
Create hunting habitat
If you have land, even small areas help:
• Leave rough grassy margins and uncut edges where voles can thrive.
• Avoid over-tidying until the spring.
A bit of scruffiness is wonderful for wildlife — especially our Owls.
Add hunting posts
As the weather turns colder, Barn Owls conserve energy
by hunting from perches rather than quartering over fields.
If you have Owls in the area but no posts, consider adding
a few sturdy stakes or T-bars. They make a real difference
on wet, windy, or freezing nights.
Winter Barn Owl Box Checks – A Helpful Reminder
If you’re lucky enough to host a Barn Owl box, we’re coming up to the
perfect time of year to give it a winter clean and a quick health check.
December and January are ideal months. A little attention now can
make all the difference for the Owls when the breeding season returns.
When to do it:
Choose a calm, dry day. If you can, aim for late afternoon — by then
the resident Owl will usually be waking up and preparing to head out to
hunt, which helps minimise disturbance.
Before you go up the ladder:
Before any cleaning takes place, check the box from the ground and once again up the
ladder, ensure the ladder is stable and footed by another person, and confirm the box is
firmly secure before starting to clean it out,
Approaching the box:
Move in quietly and with care. Remember that something may be inside, and not always a
Barn Owl, so never put your head into the entrance hole or inspection hatch. Gloves and a
mask are essential — years of pellets, dust and debris can be very unpleasant, and
especially so if the box has hosted Jackdaws. If the old nest material is compacted, be
prepared to gently scrape it loose.
Cleaning out:
Remove most of the old debris but always leave a couple of inches on the bottom. This
acts as a natural nest base. Don’t use any pesticides, disinfectants or chemical treatments.
If you’ve had to clear the box right down to the floor, add a layer of untreated wood chips
so the Owls have a suitable surface for laying. Top tip for the person footing the ladder -
hood up, look down and mouth shut! You might get a surprise ‘nest confetti shower’!
Maintenance check:
While you’re up there, give the box a quick inspection for any wear, damage or loosened
fixings. A simple repair now can prevent bigger proble
ms later.
Our Work Continues
We’re continuing our weekly work installing new nest boxes and extending our network
across Suffolk. None of this would be possible without the incredible support we receive —
from those who sponsor or host boxes, to everyone who sends in sightings or helps in so
many other ways. Every bit of support helps us give Barn Owls the very best chance.
With Thanks
We’d like to offer our sincere thanks to all our supporters, landowners, recorders, hosts
and friends of the project. Your enthusiasm, generosity and patience — particularly during
such a challenging year — are truly appreciated and make a real difference.
If you have any queries, sightings, problems or Barn Owl related questions, please do get
in touch. We’re always happy to help.
SEASON’S GREETING AND
OWL THE BEST FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR!
Contact us on:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 07708 141 276
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