2012 UPDATE
This threatened species occurs in wet meadow, hay, and lightly-grazed pasture habitats, mainly in counties along the glacial border of Ohio. The 2012 nesting season was the best on record thanks to an unusually warm winter. We started with 17 active nests by February. At the end of August there were 98 active nest sites throughout the state. Barn owls are very dependent upon meadow voles as their primary prey; consequently, nest success varies with meadow vole production,consequently, when meadow vole production is down so are the numbers of barn owl chicks that survive to fledge. Historic nest success information for barn owls in Ohio from 1988-2004 can be found in the Barn Owl Table.
Survey details and historical data can be found in the Grassland Species Overview section of the 2011-2012 Wildlife Population Status and Hunting Forecast.