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Barn Owl Conservation Handbook

£39.99

A guide to the Barn Owl for ecologists, surveyors, land managers and ornithologists. This comprehensive handbook with over 400 pages includes more than 300 pictures and covers all aspects of Barn Owl conservation including:

  1. Introduction to Barn Owl conservation
  2. Ecology
  3. Legal issues
  4. Surveys
  5. Habitat
  6. Nestboxes
  7. Mortality
  8. Planning
  9. Rehabilitation

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A comprehensive guide for ecologists, surveyors, land managers and ornithologists - written by the Barn Owl Trust

"A book to save a species" - Review by Chris Packham - BBC Wildlife Presenter

Barn Owl Conservation Handbook by the Barn Owl TrustChris Packham reviews the Barn Owl Conservation Handbook

The Barn Owl is one of the world’s most successful birds. It can be found almost everywhere in the world bar polar and desert regions and across every continent except Antarctica. There are 20 -30 sub-species in the family group and the most widespread is Tyto alba alba, the Common Barn Owl, the species that occurs in the UK.

Unsurprisingly it is therefore listed by the IUCN as of ‘Least Concern’ when it comes to declines in its numbers. Very sadly this is not the case in the British Isles where their population has crashed catastrophically and only concerted conservation efforts have prevented it from becoming a very rare bird. This book is the most complete and concise catalogue of techniques, methods and practices used to protect the Barn Owl, both in captivity and in the wild. It is thus not only a rich repository of essential information but an invaluable tool in the struggle to keep the species secure as a feature in our landscape and its ecosystems.

Its detail is impressive to say the least. Each aspect of the Barn Owl’s care is meticulously outlined and the latest practical and applied methods of conservation are clearly analysed and presented. If ever there was a handbook which could save a species then this is it.

Anyone who has any interest and any capacity to assist in Barn Owl conservation should thus own this important book, whether it’s through care of injured birds, preparing them for release, managing habitat, protecting or designing nesting resources, understanding the legal aspects of planning or photography or the best techniques to employ whilst surveying and recording the species, it’s here. Along with the basics of its ecology, breeding biology and population dynamics it is complete, remarkable, brilliant.

In the 1980's peoples’ genuine concerns for the species welfare led to a spat of captive breeding Barn Owls for release into the wild. Unfortunately in the absence of such an instructive treatise as this many owls were turned out to die in entirely unsuitable places and now the practice is illegal.

My parting thought as I closed this book was to wonder if this now needs review. Given the species breeds so well in captivity and provided with the excellent guidelines this text provides I wonder if we didn't ought to set up ‘Barn Owl Conservation Schools’ where the more determined conservationists can be tutored in the complete skill set required to effect this practice responsibly and successfully.

For any conservation initiative to be sustainable it needs to be involving, to engage the communities where it’s based and needs to prosper. It will not work if it is the preserve of the exclusive specialist. Wouldn't it be fabulous if every county, district or village had its ‘Barn Owl Agent’ armed with a copy of this book, to liaise with farmers, generate habitat, organise nest boxes and finally the release of owls into a modified and managed world... because I believe that if people can engage with a species they will generate a real affinity for it and then, and only then, value and protect it. Perhaps that would be this fabulous work’s greatest legacy...

Chris Packham chrispackham.co.uk


'upbeat and practical, delivering an optimistic approach to Barn Owl conservation'

Packed with well-researched information and drawing on two decades of first-hand experience, the Barn Owl Trust's book looks set to become the definitive reference for those with an interest in Barn Owls, their ecology and conservation. Like the Trust, this book is upbeat and practical, delivering an optimistic approach to Barn Owl conservation that is accessible to readers from a wealth of backgrounds.
- Mike Toms, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Coordinator of the National Barn Owl Survey; Project Barn Owl.


'The Barn Owl Conservation Handbook brings together intellectual and practical expertise in a way that is rarely achieved.

The time for such a book to focus on this subject has now come, not because we did not need one earlier, but because there is now sufficient knowledge and expertise which can be put into practice, and thereby make a real difference to the fortunes of these charismatic birds. Here you will find guidance on all aspects of Barn Owl conservation, from the care of injured birds, the creation and conservation of suitable habitat for their maintenance and successful breeding, to thorny questions about the impact of major roads and secondary poisoning by rodenticides. It would be easy to write a book about Barn Owls that would be a classic in the genre of conservation gloom and doom. Barn Owls are under pressure from multiple sources which are well analysed and described here. But rather than throwing up our hands, we are invited by this guide to take a very positive approach.'
- Graham Martin Emeritus Professor Centre for Ornithology, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, UK


The must have book for any barn owl enthusiast!

'After purchasing many barn owl related books over the years, this could well have been just another book to add to my collection but believe me it isn't! This eagerly anticipated book was well worth the wait. With clear, informative text and stunning pictures it takes you through everything you could possibly want to know about the barn owl. Whether you are involved in barn owl conservation or just simply have a passing interest in this iconic bird, this is the book for you. As someone who is involved in barn owl conservation, I am always wanting to learn more and this is where this book stands above the rest. This book is fast becoming my sole reference for all barn owl related matters and is integral to my conservation work.'
- Karen C Barn Owl Conservationist (Amazon Reviews)