cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/17785044
A County Down farmer is celebrating the arrival of four new barn owl chicks after 10 years of conservation work on his land to increase numbers.
There are currently fewer than 30 breeding pairs of barn owls in Northern Ireland.
Ulster Wildlife say this is down to agricultural intensification, habitat loss, a lack of nest sites, and increased use of rat poisons.
David Sandford has provided a home for nearly 20 owlets in the past six years after installing wooden nest boxes on his farm in Strangford.
I think I had an earlier story on this farm, so it's great to see the efforts paying off!
Go check out !nature@feddit.uk and give them an upvote for sharing this story. They look to have a lot that would interest any nature or animal fan outside of the UK as well.
Some interesting posts from the past week:
Volunteers discover rare birds of prey breeding in Cumbria
Plan unveiled to reintroduce White-tailed Eagle to Cumbria
Studland sees record numbers of rare butterfly
Rediscovery of rare bumblebee brings hope to South Kent
