The NatureSpot Photo of the Month for February is this image of a Barn Owl and a Carrion Crow, taken by NatureSpot contributor Marian Markham. More...

It's a tough life being a Barn Owl. Their feathers are adapted for silent flight but not very waterproof so they try to avoid hunting when it's raining. They are also poorly insulated and need extra food during cold weather to make up for an increased loss of body heat. Although February has been fairly mild, small mammals are less active in winter and harder to catch. This means that February is generally a tough month for Barn Owls. Historically, Barn Owls often lived in or visited farm buildings infested with mice and rats, hunting indoors during severe weather.  Unfortunately, this chance has largely disappeared due to modern agriculture. During colder weather, Field Voles, their favourite snack, tend to be less active at night and more active by day - when it’s a little warmer. Although it’s wonderful to watch a Barn Owl hunting during the day, it often means that the owl is struggling to find enough food. The last thing a stressed Barn Owl needs while hunting is to be hassled by a Carrion Crow, but that's another problem of hunting in daylight. Marian Markham took this super photo in difficult lighting conditions and it beautifully illustrates the problem of being a Barn Owl afflicted by wet winters due to climate breakdown, and of intensive agriculture. 

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