Barn owls at risk from roadside vole appetite.

Byline: By JONATHAN NEALE

OF OUR native birds, few capture our collective imagination more than the owl.

In the story of Culwch and Olwen, the oldest of the Mabinogion tales, it was the Owl of Cwm Cowlyd in Snowdonia who narrates the history of its Cwm, and in doing so gives us the first account of forest clearance in Wales.

It appears, however, that the owl's reputation, and its various populations, has fluctuated in relation to how we think of them, and how we manage our countryside.

A change in farming practice and the building of new roads has had a major effect on populations of the barn owl in some areas of Wales.

Though owls generally have a reputation for wisdom they are slower than most birds in adapting to change: it is estimated that 40% of fledged barn owls die every year as a result of road kill.

Duncan Brown, of the Countryside Council for Wales, has been collecting road casualty data for barn owls since the 1970s.

He said: "The barn owl's prey varies with its location but in Wales its main food source is the short-tailed vole.

"These voles thrive in the wide grassy verges of new trunk-roads, so the owls spend a lot of time feeding in these very dangerous areas.

"CCW and its partners are working with the Welsh Assembly Government to see if it's possible to change the habitat on new road verges (in areas frequently used by barn owls) so that owls are steered away from the path of fast-moving vehicles."

Worldwide, there are 133 or so different species of owl, 80% of which feed at night. These range from the sparrow-sized elf owl of Central America to the giant European eagle owl with its 7ft wingspan.

Wales has five different owl species, and the CCW has recently produced a free booklet giving more information. Owls In Wales is available from CCW's enquiries line, 0845 1306229, or www.ccw.gov.uk.

Jonathan Neale is a feature writer at the Countryside Council for Wales

It is estimated that 40% of fledged barn owls die every year as a result of road kill

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Barn owls' habit of feeding on voles in grassy verges makes them vulnerable to traffic