The diet of the Barn OwlTyto albain southern Ireland, with reference to a recently introduced prey species— the Bank VoleClethrionomys glareolus

The diet of the Barn Owl in Ireland was investigated from pellet collections containing a total of 8229 individual prey items. The pellets were obtained from 15 roosts, 6 of which were within the established range of the Bank Vole Clethrionomys glareolus, a recent introduction to the island. Barn Owls were found to feed principally upon rodents, which formed 90% of prey weight consumed and, as in previous Irish studies, Field Mice, House Mice and Brown Rats were important prey items. The Bank Vole was a significant prey species where it occurs, constituting 15–22% of the diet. Other items such as Pygmy Shrews, birds and frogs were generally of seasonal or local importance only. The Barn Owl is an opportunistic feeder specializing in small mammals.