Barn owls are nocturnal birds of prey that are found worldwide. They get their name from their pale coloration and their habit of nesting in barns and other structures. Barn owls are beloved for their distinctive heart-shaped faces and their eerie, raspy calls. Many people enjoy spotting these ghostly birds going about their nighttime routines. But when is the best time to try and catch a glimpse of a barn owl? There are a few key times when you are most likely to see these amazing birds.
Dusk
One of the best times to spot a barn owl is at dusk. As the sun sets and darkness starts to fall, barn owls will begin to emerge from their roosts and go out to hunt. In the half-light of dusk, you may be able to catch sight of a pale barn owl drifting by or swooping over an open field. Position yourself with a good view over meadows, grasslands, or marshes around sunset and keep your eyes peeled. The low, indirect light of dusk makes it easier to spot these largely nocturnal birds as they start their evening routines.
Pre-Dawn
Another excellent time to look for barn owls is in the hour or so before dawn. If you can get up and get outdoors before sunrise, you may be rewarded with sightings of barn owls returning to their roosts after a night of hunting. In the dim pre-dawn light, listen and watch for these night hunters flying back to barns, hollow trees, caves, or other shelter. Their light coloration shows up well in the twilight before sunrise. Positioning yourself to observe likely roosting spots in the hour before sunrise can be a good way to catch sight of these early-morning owls.
Night
While most challenging, nighttime also offers opportunities to spot barn owls. As nocturnal hunters, barn owls are most active from dusk to dawn. If you head out into the darkness with a flashlight or spotlight, you may be able to spot a ghostly barn owl quartering over a field in search of prey. Listen for their eerie screeching calls. Roads or field edges in farmland or open country are good places to watch for night-flying owls. But make sure to respect the owls and watch your light so as not to disturb them.
Nesting Season
The nesting season is also a good time to spot barn owls. This varies regionally, but in most areas is typically March through July. Barn owls don’t build their own nests. Instead they use cavities or nest boxes. During nesting season, you may be able to spot adult barn owls hunting to provision their young or carrying food back to the nest. Position yourself to observe barns, silos, nest boxes, or other likely nesting spots at dawn or dusk and you may catch sight of breeding adults coming and going.
Winter
Winter may seem like an unlikely time to spot barn owls. But in some regions, owls actually become more visible in the barer winter landscape. And winter is when owl irruptions may occur, with large numbers of snowy owls and other raptors moving south. Check fields and marshes for irruptive snowy and short-eared owls that may arrive from farther north. Resident barn owls can also be spotted more easily against winter backgrounds devoid of foliage. Scan open areas at dawn and dusk and watch for silhouettes of hunting owls.
Ideal Habitats for Spotting Barn Owls
When trying to spot barn owls, make sure to check appropriate habitats. Here are some of the best places to look:
– Farmland – barns, silos, haylofts
– Open meadows, fields, grasslands
– Marshes and wetlands
– Along river valleys and floodplains
– Around lakes, ponds, and reservoirs
– Pastures with hollow trees or raptor nest boxes
– Coastal areas like saltmarshes or dunes
– Desert washes and oases
Position yourself with a view over one of these habitats around dawn or dusk for your best chance of spotting a pale barn owl on the hunt.
| Time of Day | Tips for Spotting |
|---|---|
| Dusk | Watch for owls emerging from roosts |
| Pre-Dawn | Listen and watch for owls returning to roosts |
| Night | Use a light to scan fields and listen for screeching calls |
| Nesting Season | Observe potential nest sites like barns, boxes, and hollow trees |
| Winter | Check open areas for hunting owls more visible against bare landscapes |
Barn Owl Hunting Habits
Understanding a bit about barn owl hunting habits can also help with knowing when to spot them:
– Hunt mainly at night, peak activity 2-3 hours after sunset
– Hunt by flying low over open ground listening for prey
– Use acute hearing to locate rodents in vegetation
– Either perch hunt or quartering hunt depending on terrain
– Need to eat about 4 small mammals per night
– Often begin hunting along field edges or roads
Barn Owl Calls
In addition to visually spotting barn owls, listening for them is also productive. Here are some key barn owl calls to listen for:
– Screeches – drawn-out, raspy screeching noise, usually made near the nest.
– Hissing – open-mouthed hissing sound made when threatened.
– Chittering – rapid chattering sound, may indicate alarm.
– Snoring – dog-like snoring noise made by young in the nest.
– Bill-snapping – loud snaps made with the bill during courting.
Attracting Barn Owls
You can increase your chances of spotting barn owls by trying to attract them and provide habitat:
– Put up nest boxes designed for barn owls
– Leave dead trees with hollow cavities standing
– Protect wetlands and allow dead vegetation like reedbeds
– Maintain open grasslands and meadows for hunting
– Avoid pesticides that reduce prey like rodents
– Put up owl perches and snags for hunting
– Leave patches of vegetation for rodents to breed
Responsible Owl Viewing
When trying to spot barn owls, be responsible and ethical in your viewing:
– Observe from a distance and use binoculars to avoid stressing owls
– Never flush roosting owls or approach nests
– Avoid making excessive noise near owls
– Use flashlight sparingly and keep light off owls
– Follow guidelines from birdwatching and nature organizations
– Never handle or disturb owls, chicks, eggs, or nests
– Do not use owl calls to attract them during nesting season
Best Places to See Barn Owls
Some specific locations that are well-known for barn owl watching include:
United Kingdom
– Norfolk – stronghold for barn owls in the UK
– Yorkshire Dales – upland areas with grassland habitat
– Somerset Levels – wetland marshes perfect for barn owls
– Brownsea Island – small island with multiple barn owl nest boxes
United States
– Klamath Basin, Oregon/California – abundant prey attracts hunting owls
– Altamont Pass, California – wind farms with nest boxes shelter owls
– Snake River Birds of Prey Area, Idaho – high density of breeding barn owls
– Whitewater Draw, Arizona – riparian area hosting wintering owls
Australia
– King Island, Tasmania – grassy plains with dense barn owl populations
– Barossa Valley, South Australia – wine region with good barn owl habitat
– Wheatbelt, Western Australia – farming country where barn owls thrive
– Port Fairy, Victoria – coastal wetlands, marshes, and grasslands
Conclusion
For the best chance of spotting wild barn owls, time your outings around dawn or dusk and visit appropriate habitats like farmland, meadows, and marshes. Understand barn owl behavior so you know when they are most active hunting. Listen for their eerie calls and watch for their ghostly silhouettes quartering over fields. Attract them by providing nest sites and habitat. And adhere to responsible viewing practices to ensure your observing has no negative impact. With persistence and knowledge of their habits, you stand a good chance of being rewarded with magical sightings of one of nature’s most spectacular nocturnal birds of prey.
