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Description
The aim of the project is to preserve, strengthen and stabilize the critically endangered Barn Owl population in the target region, in the form of active nesting support of its population, implementation of project management measures including site monitoring and acoustic monitoring, with emphasis on educational activities between target groups and elimination of mortality factors of the Barn Owl (dangerous technical traps in nesting sites).
Summary of project results
Our project was focused on the protection, support of nesting, and systematic monitoring of the critically endangered barn owl, which has experienced a significant decline in population. This decline is primarily due to the loss of traditional nesting opportunities in agricultural and sacral buildings, which previously provided suitable conditions for the reproduction of this species. The barn owl is affected by a complex combination of negative factors, including changes in agricultural landscapes, habitat loss, and the use of chemicals in farming. Due to this combination, the barn owl has become not only an indicator of the state of agricultural landscapes but also a flagship species, whose protection symbolizes broader efforts for sustainability and biodiversity.
The main goal of our project was the active protection and support of barn owl nesting, with a key focus on involving the target group—local residents, farmers, and building managers. These stakeholders were informed and trained on how they can contribute to the protection of this species, such as by installing nesting boxes or reducing the use of chemical products. We implemented our project in areas where the barn owl naturally occurs and nests, and where it is exposed to a number of threats. The activities of our project aimed to eliminate or at least mitigate these negative factors, thereby improving the conditions for the survival and reproduction of the barn owl.
Between 2021 and 2023, we carried out several key activities to support the protection of the critically endangered barn owl:
Acoustic monitoring of the barn owl: We conducted recordings at a total of 489 monitoring points (the original plan was 480 points). The barn owl was successfully detected at 69 of these locations.
Habitat management and nesting support: We managed 428 barn owl habitats annually and produced and installed 12 nesting boxes. On agricultural farms, we identified and eliminated dangerous technical traps that posed risks to the owls.
Educational outreach: We created an illustrated memory game called "Our Owls" (500 copies) for our target groups as an educational tool and keepsake.
Awareness activities: We focused on the agricultural community, organizing various awareness-raising events and distributing promotional materials.
These activities significantly contributed to the protection and nesting support of the critically endangered barn owl, while also raising awareness about the importance of its conservation among key target groups.
The project resulted in the implementation of protective measures for the barn owl in its natural habitat. It also included the publication of two promotional materials with our organization''s contact information, aimed at target groups. We recorded the nesting of 71 pairs of barn owls, with an average of 51% of the population (ranging from 11% to 76%) nesting a second time in the same year. The nesting pairs successfully raised a total of 510 young barn owls. Additionally, we observed non-nesting individuals at 38 locations, and their presence was regularly confirmed by traces. We also recorded 113 nestings of non-target species.
The project significantly contributed to strengthening the nesting population of the critically endangered barn owl in the target region, in collaboration with the owners of the structures where the owls nest. The target group of the project actively participated in its implementation. The fledged barn owls enhanced the gene pool of this critically endangered species in the region. As the target group has a substantial impact on the barn owl population, they are gradually developing a positive relationship with the conservation of this species.