Female Tawny Owl	Male Tawny Owl

For the first time since monitoring began in 2021, no Tawny Owl chicks were found across twenty-five boxes monitored by the Sussex Barn Owl Group (SBOG) this season. This marks a dramatic departure from previous years when our boxes typically hosted multiple successful broods.

Our monitoring began in early April when female Tawny Owls typically start incubation. While we discovered two adults in boxes — both successfully ringed for ongoing research — the absence of any chicks tells a concerning story. One female showed feathering over her brood patch, indicating breeding likely occurred nearby, but no young survived to the monitoring stage.

Supporting evidence comes from local wildlife rescue centres, which normally handle dozens of “branched” chicks that have left their nests too early. This year, they’ve received none.

SBOG has contacted other UK ringing groups who report similarly poor breeding outcomes across the country. We’re now working with small mammal societies to investigate whether reduced prey availability contributed to this season’s failures.

Looking Ahead

Understanding this breeding failure is crucial for Tawny Owl conservation. These findings may indicate broader ecosystem changes affecting our woodland birds. We’re committed to continued monitoring and will collaborate with researchers and other local groups to identify the underlying causes.

How You Can Help

Your observations matter. Please report any Tawny Owl sightings or unusual wildlife patterns to help build a complete picture of this season’s challenges.

We will continue updating SOS members as we move into Barn Owl monitoring season. In the meantime, enjoy photographs of the two adults we successfully ringed — a reminder that while this year brought challenges, our monitoring work continues to contribute valuable data for conservation efforts.

Did You Know? Tawny Owl chicks “branch” at around thirty days old, leaving the nest to exercise their wings while still being fed by adults. They’re excellent climbers and can scale back to safety if they end up on the ground.

Terry Hallahan, June 2025