Welcoming Barn Owls to Our Estate

Renowned for their striking beauty with large, dark eyes and delicate white feathers; Barn owls are one of Britain’s most beloved bird species. Here at our 1,000-acre estate, we’re thrilled to have teamed up with the Broxton Barn Owl Group to support these fascinating creatures. 

Installing Barn Owl Nesting Boxes

As part of our ongoing commitment to local wildlife we have installed two brand-new nesting boxes, strategically placed to offer a safe haven for barn owls. The timing couldn’t be better with the courtship season for these owls just around the corner. Typically starting in February or March.

The nesting boxes are installed in pairs, which is important for the long-term success of the barn owl population. If we’re fortunate enough to attract a breeding pair we will need to ensure there’s enough space for the growing family. As the young owlets begin to fledge, the adult owls will require an additional box to retreat to when the fledglings start taking up too much space. It’s all part of the delicate balance of helping these beautiful birds thrive in Cheshire and beyond.

Our estates team have already reported hearing their calls during the early hours when they have been tending the land. Hopefully the addition of the new boxes will make their current residence more comfortable as the weather has harshened. Maybe even attracting more of these beautiful birds – there is certainly plenty of room for our permanent animal guests and visiting human guests to share peacefully. 

Prime Locations for Barn Owl Hunting and Nesting

Barn owls are known for preferring open landscapes when hunting and our countryside hotel grounds provide the perfect habitat for them. The two newly installed boxes are positioned in large, mature oak trees near our championship golf courses. These trees have been standing for decades, offering a natural perch with a commanding view of the surrounding land. 

The area features a blend of rough grassland and hedgerows, ideal for barn owls to hunt small mammals like voles and shrews. Our greenkeeping team has a set amount of land reserved for nature, which is not attended to regularly making it an undisturbed sanctuary to encourage plentiful barn owl snacks. With this in mind we hope the owls will find our hotel an ideal place to call home overtime.

Did you know barn owls have the remarkable ability to rotate their heads 270 degrees? This, combined with their binocular vision, allows them to hunt with incredible precision even in the dark.

Spotting a Barn Owl in Their Natural Habitat

Spotting a barn owl in the wild is a rare and magical experience. Their nocturnal nature means they are most active at night and while sightings are uncommon, their distinctive chirping calls can often be heard in the evenings. However it is not unheard of to see them out in the day if the weather has been particularly bad or they have demanding owlets to feed back at home. 

Sadly, barn owl populations suffered a severe decline in the 1980s, but thanks to the tireless efforts of conservation groups like the Broxton Barn Owl Group, numbers are slowly starting to recover. The team at Carden Park are proud to play a small part in this recovery by providing a safe environment for these incredible creatures and would urge those who think they could also accommodate a safe home for nesting boxes to reach out to the charity directly (click here).

As we eagerly await the arrival of a potential breeding pair on our estate, we encourage our guests to listen out for the unmistakable calls of the barn owl during the evening hours. Who knows – you may just be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one as it glides through the sky.