Services · Specialist

Barn Owl Surveys

The barn owl is a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act — it's an offence to disturb them at or near the nest without a licence. If you're converting, demolishing or working near farm buildings, barns or old trees, barn owl survey may be required.

ProtectionSchedule 1 WCA

Breeding seasonMarch – August

Habitat checkYear-round

Licence requiredTo disturb at nest

Overview

The barn owl (Tyto alba) is listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which means it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb them at, on or near their nest, or to disturb dependent young. This additional protection — beyond that afforded to all wild birds — applies to survey as well as development: you need a licence just to check whether a building is being used for nesting.

Barn owl surveys assess buildings, trees and other structures for suitability and evidence of use by barn owls. A daytime inspection looks for access points, pellets, droppings, feathers and prey remains. Where evidence of breeding is found, the timing of any proposed works must be carefully managed to avoid disturbance during the nesting period (broadly March to August, though barn owls can breed in any month).

Where a nesting site will be lost to development, compensatory provision — typically purpose-built barn owl boxes installed at an appropriate distance and aspect — is a standard mitigation requirement. We design, source and install barn owl boxes and provide guidance on ongoing management.

When you need this

Converting, demolishing or re-roofing agricultural buildings, barns, or rural outbuildings
Felling or managing mature trees, particularly those with large cavities or old woodpecker holes
Your PEA identifies buildings or trees suitable for barn owl nesting or roosting
The site is in rural or semi-rural setting with grassland foraging habitat nearby
The LPA conditions your permission on barn owl survey

Our approach

01
Habitat assessment
An initial assessment of whether the site and surrounding landscape provide suitable nesting and foraging habitat for barn owls — rough grassland, field margins, hedgerow bases and other prey-rich habitats within foraging range.
02
Internal and external inspection
Buildings and trees are inspected for access points, pellets, droppings (white splash), feathers, prey remains (small mammal bones in pellets) and other evidence of barn owl use. This work requires a surveyor holding a Schedule 1 licence.
03
Breeding status assessment
Where evidence of use is found, further visits may be needed to determine whether the site is an active nest, a roosting site only, or a historic roost. Breeding status determines the timing restrictions on works.
04
Mitigation and compensation
If a nesting site will be lost, we design compensatory provision — barn owl boxes at appropriate locations — and specify timing restrictions for works. A Schedule 1 licence may be required for works near an active nest.

Survey season

Year-round (habitat assessment)

Optimal: Outside breeding season for internal inspection

Habitat assessment and external inspection can be carried out year-round. Internal inspection of potential nest sites should avoid the core breeding season (March–August) unless there is a specific need, as it constitutes disturbance under Schedule 1. A surveyor holding a Schedule 1 licence can assess breeding status at any time of year if necessary.

Regulatory context

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Schedule 1)Barn owl is listed on Schedule 1, making it an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the species at, on or near a nest, or to disturb dependent young.
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Part 1)All wild birds, their nests (in use or being built) and eggs are protected. Barn owl nests may be in continuous use, meaning the nest itself is protected year-round.
NERC Act 2006 (Section 41)Barn owl is listed as a Species of Principal Importance in England.

Related services

Need a barn owl quote?

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Frequently asked questions

01Can I convert a barn that has barn owls?+

Yes, conversion can proceed with appropriate mitigation. This typically involves timing works to avoid the breeding season, providing compensatory nest boxes at a suitable location and, where disturbance at the nest is unavoidable, obtaining a Schedule 1 licence from Natural England.

02Are barn owl nest sites protected all year?+

Barn owl nests can be in continuous or repeated use, which means the nest site itself may be protected year-round even when the birds are not actively breeding. The Schedule 1 disturbance offence applies whenever the birds are at or near the nest.

03Do I need a licence to check for barn owls?+

Entering a building or inspecting a tree to check for barn owl nesting evidence is itself a potential disturbance if barn owls are present. This work should only be carried out by a surveyor holding a Schedule 1 licence for barn owl.

Get in touch

Have a site that needs surveying?

Tell us about the project. We'll come back with a clear scope, timing and a fixed quote.

Request a quote→