Barn owls are increasingly spotted in urban areas like Croydon, with a notable rise in sightings recorded in London over the last decade. Amidst busy streets and industrial sites, a male barn owl hunts at dusk, gathering food to support a roosting female and their chicks. This surprising discovery of owl populations in the city highlights the often-overlooked biodiversity within urban environments. Observers remark on the adaptability of these nocturnal creatures, indicating that all UK owl species can be found in varying numbers throughout London year-round.
"It's a great sign that there's a female in there that we haven't seen for a while, as she's on the eggs," says local owl enthusiast Tomos Brangwyn.
"People might not think owls are in London. But they don't realise how wild the city actually is," says Becky Garden, a partnership officer for GiGL.
"City birds will enjoy the same diet of voles, rats, mice and other small animals as their country cousins," highlighting the adaptability of barn owls in urban areas.
Monitoring data shows that owl sightings in London have risen sharply, from 25 in 2010 to 347 a decade later.
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