The reasons for the Barn owls decline are not fully understood, but can most likely be attributed to the loss of suitable habitat due to various aspects of agricultural intensification and the increased use of harmful second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides. Other factors that have been implicated in their decline are the loss of suitable nest sites, an expansion of major road networks and the increased severity of winters.
The Barn Owl is also in decline while the Corncrake is no longer found in many of the locations once well known for its link to the bird. In response, the Park has helped to fund several local initiatives including a Bird Watch Ireland survey that will monitor the nesting behaviour of Barn Owls as well as a project
The Barn Owl is also in decline while the Corncrake is no longer found in many of the locations once well known for its link to the bird. In response, the Park has helped to fund several local initiatives including a Bird Watch Ireland survey that will monitor the nesting behaviour of Barn Owls as well as a project