Five species of owl breed in Britain: the barn owl, tawny owl, little owl, long-eared owl and short-eared owl. None of them would be doing as well as they are without a lot of quiet work from charities, volunteers and scientists. People put up nest boxes, leave field edges rough for voles, patch up owls hit by cars, and spend years counting nests so we actually know what's happening to the population.
We've put this page together so you know who to turn to, whether you've found an injured owl, want to put up a barn owl box, are curious about ringing projects near you, or just want to support a good cause. And if you'd like to watch wild owls without disturbing them, our live nest cameras are on YouTube (@Barnowllive) and we post photos on Instagram (@peakywildlife).
UK Owl Conservation Charities
The Barn Owl Trust
If it's about barn owls, this is where to start. Based in Devon, they've got free nest box plans, advice on managing land for owls, guidance on safer rat control, and a clear page on what to do if you find a chick on the ground.
Visit the Barn Owl TrustThe Hawk and Owl Trust
A national charity for birds of prey, owls included. They look after their own nature reserves, fund research, and work with farmers to get nest boxes up on farmland.
Visit the Hawk and Owl TrustWorld Owl Trust
Works on owls here and abroad, from protecting habitat and running awareness campaigns to breeding programmes for threatened species overseas.
Visit the World Owl TrustSuffolk Owl Sanctuary
A good one for a day out as well as a good cause. There's a bird hospital, a wild owl nest box scheme and school visits, and they're happy to give advice if you've found a bird that needs help.
Visit Suffolk Owl SanctuaryOwl Research, Monitoring & Rescue Helplines
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
Most of what we know about how UK owls are doing comes from BTO surveys. They run the national ringing scheme and the Nest Record Scheme, and they've carried out big Tawny Owl surveys that anyone can join in with from their garden.
Visit the BTORaptor Rescue
Found an injured owl? Raptor Rescue has a network of trained rehabilitators and vets around the country and can point you to help nearby. Worth saving their number in your phone.
Visit Raptor RescueHabitat & Land Conservation Charities
RSPB
The UK's biggest nature conservation charity. A lot of its reserves take in moorland, marsh and rough grassland, which is exactly where you're likely to see short-eared owls hunting in daylight over winter.
Visit the RSPBThe Wildlife Trusts
There are 46 local Wildlife Trusts covering the whole of the UK, and there's almost certainly one near you. Their reserves protect the woods, wetlands and meadows owls rely on, and many welcome volunteers.
Find your local Wildlife TrustOwl Sanctuaries & Centres to Visit
Scottish Owl Centre
In West Lothian, with one of the largest owl collections anywhere. A great place to see species you'd never spot in the wild, and to learn about owl conservation around the world.
Visit the Scottish Owl CentreCommon Questions
What should I do if I find an injured owl?
Keep your distance to begin with and watch for a few minutes. If it's clearly hurt, gently cover it with a towel, pop it in a ventilated cardboard box and keep it somewhere dark, quiet and warm. Don't try to give it food or water. Then call Raptor Rescue or a local vet as soon as you can.
I've found a baby owl on the ground. Does it need rescuing?
Often not. Young tawny owls leave the nest before they can fly properly and spend a while clambering about in trees. Their parents keep feeding them, so if the owlet looks healthy, the best thing is usually to lift it onto a nearby branch out of reach of cats and leave it be.
Barn owl chicks are different. They can't climb back up, so if you find one on the ground, ring the Barn Owl Trust for advice.
How can I help barn owls where I live?
If you have the space, put up a proper barn owl nest box and leave some long, tussocky grass for voles. If you don't, you can still help by avoiding rat poison (owls eat poisoned rodents), supporting one of the charities on this page, or reporting sightings to the BTO.
How many types of owl live in the UK?
Five species breed here regularly: barn owl, tawny owl, little owl, long-eared owl and short-eared owl. The little owl was brought over from Europe in the 1800s, so it isn't strictly native. The snowy owl and a few others turn up now and then as rare visitors.