Barn Owl Killed After Flying Longest Recorded Distance From Kerry To L'Derry

A barn owl, which set the longest recorded distance by flying from Kerry to L'Derry, has been killed by a car on the Limavady Road.

The journey of over 220 miles as the crow flies, is almost double the distance of any previously recorded barn owl within Ireland.

It was identified by the special metal ring on its leg which was fitted as a chick last July, at its nest site near Farranfore, Co. Kerry by John Lusby from BirdWatch Ireland.

Catherine Fegan, Barn Owl Officer with Ulster Wildlife said: "It is very sad that this juvenile travelled so far to end up as road victim. However, this new information shows how important ringing chicks is to further understanding barn owl behaviour in Ireland. With less than 30 to 50 breeding pairs left in Northern Ireland, movement of birds from the Republic could help boost our tiny population, if they are lucky enough to survive their first year."

(CD)