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North West England

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Right click and select open in new tab to see the full size image (click to zoom in).

Go to the Postcode to 10 km square converter to find your 10 km square.

Barn Owl habitat suitability map

Understanding the maps

Red – Landscape very suitable for Barn Owls

The provision of nestboxes is the main priority. Foraging habitat should be improved if nesting success is low (less than 3 young per pair).

Cream – Landscape quite suitable for Barn Owls
The provision of 
foraging habitat is the main priority. Nestboxes should be provided where foraging habitat is above average or being created.

Blue – Landscape generally unsuitable for Barn Owls
The altitude/
habitat/winter climate determine the area to be largely unsuitable for Barn Owls. However, if Barn Owls are already present, encourage as much as possible with the creation of foraging habitat and nestboxes.

Yellow Hatched Areas – Motorways and dual carriageways 
No nestboxes should be erected within 1 km of 
major roads unless the road is screened by hedges or continuous tree lines immediately adjacent to the road surface.

Also displayed on the maps are landscape features to help you identify your location/study area. These are:
Blue lines – Rivers and canals
Black lines – Minor roads

Watch the video to find out how to manage land for Barn Owls.

The development of the habitat suitability map was greatly assisted by Dr. Barb Anderson as part of a UK Population Biology Network (UKPopNet) project ‘Modelling distribution changes in British animals and plants’ which was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (Agreement R8-H12-01), English Nature and latterly by Natural England.