The number of breeding pairs in 2000 was recorded as 19 and appeared to have been an increase over previous years but the truth is that recording was been more accurate due to the increasing network of recorders which is related to the increased membership of barn owl groups and increased public awareness. However progress has now been in made and in 2003 we there are around 30 breeding pairs of barn owl in the county, 5 of them in Mid Cheshire. This is good but not yet good enough, a long dry summer or harsh winter could seriously reduce this number very quickly. Each pair produced an average of 2.2 fledglings (several known nest sites were inaccessible in 2000 but this would not sigificantly alter this figure). It has been calculated that at least three fledglings per breeding pair are required to maintain stable barn owl population in Cheshire, as things stand we can expect the decline to continue.
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