What Is the Barn Owl Trust Website?

Updated

The Barn Owl Trust website (barnowltrust.org.uk) is the online home of a small UK charity dedicated to conserving Barn Owls and their environment. It serves two main audiences: people who want to learn about Barn Owls and their conservation, and people who need practical help — whether they've found an injured owl, want to put up a nestbox, or need to report a sighting. The site combines educational resources, conservation guidance, research information, and a directory of local contacts across the UK.

What the organisation does

The Trust describes itself as "a small UK charity working very hard to conserve one of the most beautiful birds on Earth." Its stated mission covers three areas:

  • Conservation initiatives — practical work to safeguard Barn Owls and their habitat
  • Educational resources — materials for schools, youth groups, and adults
  • Research — ongoing projects studying Barn Owls

The charity also notes that its work extends beyond Barn Owls to "the vast array of species they share it with," framing conservation as an ecosystem-level effort.

Practical help for owl encounters

A significant part of the site is built around real-world situations where people need immediate guidance. Three entry points stand out:

If you've found a young Barn Owl

The site directs you to a Directory of local contacts where you can find your nearest Barn Owl Group, Owl Rescue Centre, or Professional Surveyor.

If you've found an injured owl

There's dedicated guidance covering:

  • How to identify the owl species
  • How to check the owl for injuries or illness
  • What to do with the owl next
  • How to get help

If you want to report a sighting

The Trust asks the public to report all Barn Owl nests, roost sites, and sightings (dead or alive), anywhere in the UK through its confidential survey website.

Educational and reference content

The site organises its knowledge base into clear topic areas:

Section What it covers
Barn Owls Facts, adaptations, UK population, how to encourage them
Nestboxes Where to place one, how to build one, maintenance, buying pre-made
Habitat Managing land for Barn Owls, roosting and nesting places
Hazards and Solutions Threats affecting Barn Owls and what can be done
Owl Care Everything needed if you find an injured wild owl
Kid's Stuff Arts and crafts, fun facts, lesson ideas
Research The Trust's research projects

Training courses

For professionals and serious amateurs, the Trust runs three Barn Owl courses:

  1. Barn Owl Ecology, Surveys and Signs (BOESS) — a foundation course covering ecology, legislation, surveying, and basic mitigation
  2. BOESS Add-on Practical — an in-person course at the Trust in South Devon, including a survey of an active Barn Owl site
  3. Advanced Barn Owl Surveying and Mitigation (ABOSM) — an advanced course covering surveying, mitigation, and report preparation

Getting involved and supporting the charity

The site provides several ways to engage:

  • Donate — the homepage features a prominent donation call
  • Events — such as an Autumn Colours Walk (the site lists one for Wednesday 28th October 2026 at 2.30pm, with booking required)
  • Shop — eco items, earth-friendly gifts, publications, and clothing
  • Talks and Education — inspirational talks for school/youth groups and adult groups
  • Support Us — a hub page listing various ways to help

Who this site is for

The Barn Owl Trust website is most useful if you:

  • Have found an injured or young Barn Owl and need to know what to do
  • Want to report a Barn Owl sighting, nest, or roost site anywhere in the UK
  • Are planning to install or build a nestbox and want guidance on placement and design
  • Manage land and want to make it more Barn Owl-friendly
  • Are looking for a local owl group, rescue centre, or professional surveyor
  • Want to take a recognised training course in Barn Owl ecology or surveying
  • Are a teacher or parent looking for educational activities about owls

If you're outside the UK, the practical referral services (rescue centres, local groups, the survey reporting system) won't apply to you, though the general ecology and nestbox information may still be of interest.