Around this time every year we see an influx of Barn Owls brought into our Raptor Hospital. Many of these are young birds, who have just left their natal territories and are having to learn how to survive without the help of mum and dad.
This young owl came in starving and in poor condition.
As the weather gets colder and more unsettled, these birds may struggle to hunt successfully each night, as Barn Owls are very sensitive to wet and windy conditions. Weighing less than a kilogram (bag if sugar), Barn Owls will be buffetted around by wind and inexperienced (and hungry) birds may sustain injuries as they get thrown into buildings, trees and other landmarks.
This Barn Owl was found near a road with awing injury.
Another factor is that with the clocks going back this weekend, Barn Owls are now more likely to come into contact with vehicles during morning and evening rush-hour. If you are driving in an area with fields and hedges near the road, please slow down for wildlife. Many of the birds that come in having been found on the roadside have not actually made contact with cars or vans, but have been hampered by the tail wind, which can cause them to become disorientated and crash into the ground, sometimes into the path of traffic.
Bird bones are hollow to allow them to fly, but this means they are quite fragile, sometimes resulting in broken bones.
If you find a sick or injured bird of prey, cover it in a towel, blanket or jumper and put it into a well ventilated box which won’t cramp the bird., then call us or take it to your nearest vets. Vets are obliged to treat wildlife for free and will pass them on to wildlife rescues and rehabilitation centres such as us when they are in recovery.