Wexford Barn Owl Project

Wexford Barn Owl Project We are dedicated to increasing the number of wild Barn Owl in County Wexford. Background. The Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is one of Ireland’s most iconic birds.

The ghostly white shape of this species in Western Europe is unmistakeable and they can usually be seen hunting at night or at twilight, although encounters with these beautiful birds are rare. Barn Owls are vocal and make a range of noises, but it is their ‘screeching’ call usually heard at the start of the breeding season, which can be heard over long distances and was thought to have given rise

to the legend of the ‘Banshee’, a female spirit who foretold death by her screams. Fortunately the truth is less sinister and these graceful owls are actually our friends, hunting rodents and vermin that are unwelcome in farms and near food crops. Barn Owls under threat. Sadly Barn Owl numbers have plummeted in Ireland by over 50% in the last 25 years alone. Now ‘Red-listed’ as a species of conservation concern, Barn Owls are under threat. The reasons for this dramatic decline are numerous. Modern farming methods have resulted in the removal of hedgerows, more intensive farming; the loss of small scale tillage and the use of pesticides have greatly reduced the prey rich foraging habitat that the Owls need. The use of rodenticides on farms has resulted in the secondary exposure to these toxins, by the Owls which catch the poisoned rodents. Loss of safe nesting and roosting sites are also contributors to the decline as is the increase in major road networks, along which Barn Owls hunt. However, their hunting behaviour, low flight and poor peripheral vision make them extremely vulnerable to vehicle collisions and Irish motorways have witnessed countless Barn Owl fatalities. Birdwatch Ireland - Helping the Owls. For the last few years Birdwatch Ireland has been focusing on helping the Barn Owl. This centralised approach based on up to date research and appropriate scientific analysis has been coordinated by John Lusby and a national effort has been made in the form of research, education in the form of numerous publications – and the support by Birdwatch Ireland of numerous County initiatives. Together these operate under the auspices of the Barn Owl Monitoring Group. Members of this Group are highly trained ‘ringers’, licenced under an NPWS (section 32) licence to trap and ring Barn Owls. Ringing the Owls allows us to monitor the health, longevity and movements of the birds. The Wexford Barn Owl Project. The majority of Irelands Barn Owls are concentrated in the west of the Country and the species is stretched very thinly in Wexford. Of the 93 broods of Barn Owls ringed across Ireland in 2020, only one active nest site was visited in Wexford. There is an urgent need to help revive the population of Barn Owls within the County and the emphasis in the coming years is to purpose-build and erect Barn Owl nest boxes in the most suitable locations.

Across the country this year some broods of Barn Owls were very early so the fledged before we got a chance to ring them...
21/07/2026

Across the country this year some broods of Barn Owls were very early so the fledged before we got a chance to ring them .Its great to watch them fly as the next generation of owls in Wexford.
Some great news this year for the young owlets in Wexford. We were very lucky to have John Lusby down from on 3 different days . The first day was full on so we visited 10 nest in the the north and center of the county right down to the south. Where we had a total of 34 chicks ringed . He was accompanied by Myley and Colin .Then John came down and ringed 4 more nests a couple weeks later and checked a couple of more sights where he ringed a total of 13 . He was accompanied by Padraig for these in South Wexford.

Then we had a very special day where John again obliged us as we had a very special visitor Theresa Stanley our founder Marks wife was over for a visit . As coincidence the nest box that there son Tim put up with us the owlets were ready to be ringed. There was 3 owlets . Mark had a particular interest in this box and farm as the farmers Alan and Cheryl Poole were very active in other bird projects with Mark. We have roughly another 10 nesting boxes with chicks in them and we eagerly await ringing chicks in those boxes next year.

We would like to thank all the people that have helped us this year especially anyone that let us in on there land or in tbere gardens to ring owls . Its so nice to go back every year and watch everyone been so interested in their Barn Owls .

We would like to thank John Lusby who has above and beyond fpr the WBOP ringing chicks and helping and advising us a for us.
This year we have had exceptional help from our local rangers Rory o Hanlon and Padraig Webb .
We would also like to thank rescue who have taken in alot of injured owls and rehabilitated them back to be released in county Wexford .

We would also like to thank Padraig for his exceptional hard work at installing both interior and exterior boxes in Co.Wexford this year . He has put up 200 so far and has 20 more orders after a successful day at the Bannow Rathangan show.
Thanks Colin Myley Padraig and Derek

09/07/2026
We are here at the 75th Bannow Rathangan Show in Killag, Co.Wexford in the Biodiversity & Sustainability village Row L.....
09/07/2026

We are here at the 75th Bannow Rathangan Show in Killag, Co.Wexford in the Biodiversity & Sustainability village Row L..Stop by and say hello and Padraig will answer all things Barn Owl

25/05/2026

Pat has seen a regular Barn Owl visitor to this particular shed and he is confident of calling this a nesting site more than likely next year
Wexford Barn Owl Project

Padraig,Tom & Patrick out installing 6 more nesting boxes in place for Barn Owl nesting season in Co. Wexford - fingers ...
02/04/2026

Padraig,Tom & Patrick out installing 6 more nesting boxes in place for Barn Owl nesting season in Co. Wexford - fingers crossed they will have residents in them in the years ahead. If anyone else is interested in getting a Barn Owl nesting box contact Padraig : 087-2414220 or [email protected]

06/02/2026

Fun Fact Friday: Barn Owls don't have heart-shaped faces just because they are loveable. Their unique structure actually focuses sounds to their ears, resulting in astounding hearing used to hunt for prey. 🦉

📸 Mike Brown

This is Alan and Cheryl pool from gorey , the work they both do for the environment and nature is just amazing, there...
20/01/2026

This is Alan and Cheryl pool from gorey , the work they both do for the environment and nature is just amazing, there both great to the wexford barn owl project and were great friends of Mark.
Id highly recommend you watch the short video and see how they run there farm to benefit nature and the wildlife ... 🦉🦉💜💛💜

'We're very proud of it' The Poole family run a derogation dairy farm alongside the River Bann and through conscious farming practices, the water which their...

An early start yesterday morning for colin & derek who were out doing some home improvements for some local owls , an...
18/01/2026

An early start yesterday morning for colin & derek who were out doing some home improvements for some local owls , an " aul " box taken down and new one put back up .
A huge thanks to farm owners Alan & Cheryl Poole who also provided the new box ..

01/01/2026

Happy New Year to each and every one of our followers🥳 Hope you and yours have a happy and healthy 2026 💜💛🦉🦉

03/12/2025

We've been keeping busy the last couple of days, installing Barn Owl nesting boxes in Shilleagh (Co. Wicklow), Ballynesteagh (Gorey), Ballycogley, The Dirr, and Glenmore (Co. Kilkenny)!
Big thanks to Tom & Patrick who helped with installing the boxes. Think these are the last ones for 2025, but we're gearing up for next season - taking orders for January now! PM the page or contact Padraig 087- 2414220 [email protected] fans #

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