Ulster Wildlife calls for help in owl survey

Ulster Wildlife calls for help in owl survey

3 July 2019

A CALL has gone out from Ulster Wildlife to recruit local barn owl champions this summer.

Ulster Wildlife is appealing for volunteers in County Down to take part in a survey of the elusive endangered bird.

A workshop is taking place in the St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick on Tuesday at 7pm for those interested.

The workshop will cover everything volunteers need to know about this iconic but threatened species, including owl behaviour, identification and the procedure for carrying out a survey in their local area.

Conor McKinney, who is leading on barn owl conservation work at Ulster Wildlife, said: “Northern Ireland’s barn owls are in serious trouble with fewer than 30 to 50 breeding pairs estimated to be left here and only two known active nest sites, including one in Co Down.” 

“Volunteers play a vital role in helping us scour the countryside for sights and signs of barn owls and potential new nest sites, so that we can target our conservation efforts to give this incredible bird a fighting chance of survival.”

The workshop is free to attend and refreshments will be provided. Booking is required so call 028 9046 3112 or email nestor.rodriguez@ulsterwildlife.org.