South West England
Click on the map to open a larger version.
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.
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.