Urgent appeal to Kildare motorists to watch out for 'low flying owls' amid injury concerns

Motorists in Kildare are being urged to watch out for "low-flying owls" amid concerns over the numbers being injured in road collisions.

Kildare Wildlife Sanctuary says it has taken in 18 barn owls so far this year - eleven of which have been injured in road collisions. 

In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for the sanctuary explained the reason behind the furry creatures winding up in accidents so frequently.

“Barn owls are vulnerable to traffic because they hunt along verges near tree lines. The sides of motorways often replicate these conditions," they said.

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“They are also nocturnal, and low flying while foraging, which means by the time drivers spot them it is too late to take any action.”

The barn owl is red listed in Ireland due to the decline in their breeding population - which is explained in part by their collisions with road users whilst hunting.  

The bird, which can be identified by its loud shriek, hunts small mammals and frogs. In Ireland, their diet is largely dependent on the greater white-toothed shrew. Barn owls in Europe have healthier population numbers. 

Separately, a Merlin - a rare falcon - was admitted to Kildare Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time earlier this week. 

The sanctuary described the animal as "Ireland's smallest, most elusive falcon with males only being slightly larger than a blackbird."