The baby barn owls thriving in Northern Ireland

Image source, Ulster Wildlife

Image caption, One of the little owlets born in County Down

These little owlets have given people a big reason to celebrate.

That's because they're the result of more than 10 years of conservation work to help increase the number of barn owls in the wild in Northern Ireland.

Currently there are fewer than 30 breeding pairs of barn owls left thhere.

Ulster Wildlife charity say the low numbers is down to intensive farming, habitat loss, a lack of nest sites, and pest control poisons.

Image caption, Farmer David Sandford has put up nine owl boxes around his farm

Farmer David Sandford worked with the wildlife charity, over the last six years, providing a home for almost 20 owlets by putting up nine wooden nest boxes on his farm in County Down.

He also explained that he has adapted parts of his farmland by turning them into wild grassy areas allowing the owls main food source - wood mice, field mice, and shrews - to have a place to live.

David said he's enjoyed watching the little owls grow using cameras installed into the nest boxes.

The Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB), and Ulster Wildlife have praised the farmer's efforts for helping to create a space for the birds to thrive.