The country's barn owl population is on the rise after decades of decline, thanks to conservation work by BirdWatch Ireland.
In Co Cork, its volunteers have embarked on building and installing nest boxes for the notoriously shy predator as part of a breeding programme with funding from Cork County Council.
It is estimated that there are currently between 550 and 650 nesting pairs in the country, mainly in Munster.
Changes in agricultural practices, and the use of rodenticides over the years, had led to a sharp decline in the barn owl population here.
But that downturn has been reversed, thanks to programmes like this.
No mean feat! All 25 kilos of a Barn Owl nest box being put in place by @BirdWatchIE volunteer @AlanMc_23 & friend Jaime Darby - one of 15 external boxes being built as part of a conservation programme. More 6.01 @rtenews #birdsofprey pic.twitter.com/l9gC0SSdrD
— JennïeØSullivân (@OSullivanJennie) January 2, 2021
Cork County Council, with funding from the National Biodiversity Action Plan, is supporting BirdWatch Ireland's West Cork branch in its efforts to create new nesting opportunities for vulnerable bird species like the barn owl.
This species of owls is known as the farmer's friend. A pair of barn owls can eat up to 2,000 rats and mice in the breeding season.
And unlike other owls, they don't hoot but shriek, giving rise to banshees in folklore!
