New noise sensors could cut owl road deaths in Norfolk
Research shows up to 3,000 barn owls are killed on Britain’s roads each year.
In an article from BBC News it shows that large numbers of Barn Owls and other predators attracted to road kills are likely to be killed by traffic.
Sensors are going to be installed on Norfolk’s roads in a bid to cut the number of owls being killed by traffic.
The Hawk and Owl Trust, at Sculthorpe near Fakenham, is identifying black spots where owls, particularly barn owls, have been struck and killed.
It will then install sensors that react to headlights and emit a noise that deflects wildlife away from the road.
In Sweden, where they are being trialled on moose, the great grey owl mortality rate has also gone down.
The Hawk and Owl Trust is asking people to help by looking out for and reporting any owl or other bird of prey casualties on the county’s roads. Continue reading the main story
Photo by Luc Viator on Flickr. Creative Commons license.
Really shocking how many Barn Owl road fatalities there are. California has a citizen science roadkill tracker system, and many many of the bird hits are also Barn Owls. https://www.wildlifecrossing.net/california/observations/roadkill I hope this sensor/noise trial works and can be implemented in more places!