What is the Barn Owl Monitoring Program?

British Columbia is the only province in Canada with a viable Barn Owl population. In 2018, as a result of habitat loss, road mortality and rodenticide poisoning, Barn Owls were listed as threatened in BC.

The Barn Owl monitoring program helps us understand the challenges this species is facing and identify actions we can take to ensure its survival.

Barn owl in hand

What Does the Barn Owl Monitoring Program Do?

Nest monitoring and banding

We monitor nest sites for Barn Owls and band owlets to assess population productivity, survivorship, and potential threats.
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Habitat enhancement

We provide recommendations on how to enhance old field habitat within parks and wildlife reserves to help ensure that there is available habitat for Barn Owls as our region becomes more urban.
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Collaboration and partnerships

We collaborate with dedicated local naturalists and volunteers to build Barn Owl boxes. We partner with municipal governments to ensure Barn Owls and their habitats are managed effectively.
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Pest management research

As part of an integrated pest management approach, we help farmers install Barn Owl boxes to reduce the dependency on rodenticides to control rodents.
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Estimated residing in the Lower Mainland

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months

Average age of Barn Owls found dead on major highways

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boxes

For Barn Owl nesting installed to date

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sites

Monitored annually for Barn Owl nesting

Watch this beautiful mini-documentary of our owl biologist, Sofi Hindmarch, and her work to protect Barn Owls. Thanks to our friends at the Wilderness Committee for creating this piece.

How Can I Help?

Manage Pests Responsibly

Did you know that common rodent control options can harm Barn Owls and other birds of prey? Rat poisons can wreak havoc in local Barn Owl populations and must be used responsibly as a last resort for pest management.

Check out our Safe Rodent Control program for more information.

Create Wildlife-Friendly Habitat

Create old field habitat and wildlife-friendly habitat in your backyard. To learn more about enhancing your property check out the Nature Stewards program.

Install a Barn Owl Box

If you live in a rural area, consider installing a Barn Owl box. Visit Barn Owls BC for more information or check out our How to Build and Install a Barn Owl Nest Box resource.

Please contact Sofi Hindmarch if you have any additional questions.

Report Injured Raptors

If you find an injured Barn Owl or other raptors contact the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL).

Submit Your Sightings

Report sightings of Barn Owls to iNaturalist or the BC Government’s Wildlife Reporting Tool.

Get Involved

Join our Volunteer program to support our monitoring and conservation work.

Become a member of the FVC to help our organization protect Barn Owls and other species at risk across the Fraser Valley.

Additional Information

You can find even more on our Resources page.

Identification Guide to Owls

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Farming with Barn Owls in BC

Download

Barn Owls BC Website

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Barn Owl Recovery Strategy

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How to Build and Install Barn Owl Nest Boxes

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Extreme Weather Events Research Article

Download

Program Partners

Our Barn Owl Monitoring is supported by these partner organizations. Thank you.

Join

There are many ways to get involved in our work. It takes all of us working together to truly make a difference.
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Donate

Your gift today will help us continue to protect the natural beauty of the Fraser Valley. Learn how you can support our work.
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