Barn Owlet Boom: West Cornwall Sees Successful Breeding Season

According to the National Trust, barn owlets in West Cornwall had a remarkably successful breeding season this year. Rangers working with the West Cornwall Ringing Group recorded an average of 3.3 chicks per box in West Penwith, compared to 2.4 elsewhere in the wider area. While this figure is still below the long-term average of 4.3, the charity described the results as "successful" and attributed the positive outcome to a strong partnership between farmers, rangers, and conservation groups.

The news comes after a challenging spring that reduced prey numbers, highlighting the resilience of the local barn owl population. Shaun Boyns, a ranger in the West Cornwall countryside team, noted that barn owls are an "indicator species" - when they thrive, it's a sign the wider ecosystem is healthy too.

The National Trust also reported an unusually successful year for bats, especially at Godolphin near Helston, where nine species had been recorded. Habitat management, healthy hay meadows, and connected woodland have allowed insects to thrive, providing a vital food source for bats and creating the sheltered spaces they need to feed, navigate, and roost.

These findings reflect a broader story of how managing land for wildlife can benefit both nature and people, and the National Trust hopes to build on this success across Cornwall.