Barn Owl
Tyto alba
UK Green ListSpecialist📍 Martindale
Season
Year-round. Hunts at dusk.
Best time of day
Dusk. That ghostly flight.
Lake District
Martindale. Rough grassland. Dusk. That ghostly flight. Pale. They're rare. Vole years help. Don't expect to see one.
UK population
Around 4,000 pairs. Declining.
Overview
Barn owls are ghosts. That pale flight. Dusk. Martindale. Rough grassland. They're rare. Vole years help. Don't expect to see one. Be pleased if you do.
At a Glance
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Tytonidae |
| Habitat | Rough grassland · Farmland · Moorland edge |
| Diet | Voles, mice. Hunts by sound. |
| UK population | Around 4,000 pairs. Declining. |
| Lake District | Martindale. Rough grassland. Dusk. That ghostly flight. Pale. They're rare. Vole years help. Don't expect to see one. |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Rough grassland, farmland. Martindale, the valleys. That pale ghost. Dusk. Rare.
Identification
Pale. Heart-shaped face. Ghostly flight. Dusk. Unmistakeable.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Dusk. Rough grassland. Martindale. They're rare. Don't use lights.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species is on the UK Green List, indicating a healthy population status in the UK context. It remains an important component of Lake District biodiversity.
Plan your visit to the Lake District
RSPB Haweswater, Grizedale Forest, Leighton Moss. Practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.