Barn Owl
Tyto alba
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Ghost-pale and silent, the Barn Owl is one of the most atmospheric birds you can see. The Sefton Coast hinterland — particularly the flat farmland around Banks and Hesketh Bank — holds a decent population. They hunt by quartering low over rough grass margins, listening for voles with those heart-shaped, satellite-dish ears. Most reliably seen at dusk in late autumn and winter when they hunt earlier due to food pressure.
At a Glance
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Tytonidae |
| Habitat | Farmland · Rough grassland · Marsh edge |
| Diet | Field voles, wood mice, shrews — detected by hearing through snow and vegetation |
| UK population | Around 4,000 breeding pairs in the UK |
| Sefton Coast | Small resident population in the farmland around Banks and Hesketh Bank |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Farmland and rough grassland around Hesketh Bank, Crossens and Banks. Occasional at Marshside RSPB edges.
Identification
Unmistakeable. White below, golden-buff above with grey mottling. Heart-shaped face. Silent flight. Ghostly pale in headlights.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Drive slowly along country lanes around Banks and Hesketh Bank at dusk. They often hunt road verges.
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 Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to see Barn Owls near the Sefton Coast?
Drive slowly along the country lanes around Banks and Hesketh Bank at dusk, particularly in autumn and winter. Barn Owls regularly hunt the grass verges and rough field margins. The area around the Crossens pumping station is also good.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.