Enhancing the barn owl (‘Tyto alba’) population in the Maltese islands : a study based on home range requirements

Abstract

The Barn Owl ('Tyto alba'), is a medium-sized species of the Family Tytonidea, which used to breed in the Maltese Islands. This species was extirpated due to illegal hunting and poaching on the islands. A study was carried out to find out the total capacity of Barn Owl pairs in the Maltese Islands, in context of home range requirements. This was a novel research study, in terms of the potential of restoring the local Barn Owl population. The home range for the Barn Owl for the Maltese Islands was found to be about 3 km2. A desk study, together with on-site field visits and online surveys were used to find the habitat, breeding and roosting sites, and their home range. Results showed that typical habitats present on the Maltese Islands consist of garrigue land, high cliff faces, agricultural land and several plantations. Apart from these, man-made structures such as monasteries, belfries, bastions and old derelict buildings are also characterised in the Maltese landscape. These factors determined the home range of the Barn Owls; hence, the total number of releasable pairs could be identified. The number of proposed pairs is seventeen in Malta, nine in Gozo and three in Camino, thus, twenty-nine pairs in total. Most of the proposed release sites are easily accessible, however situated in semi-remote areas, which are not worryingly frequented by people. Lastly, awareness amongst the local community has to be improved. This can be achieved by involving them in this conservation measure and practice.