Barn owls

The German nature conservation group NABU, together with its Ukrainian partner organisation USPB, reports a successful 2026 breeding season for barn owls in Ukraine. The first egg was laid in one of the installed nest boxes on 19 March, and nesting sites were occupied across four regions. Conservationists are calling it good news for a species returning to the war-affected country.

A family of barn owls in New York City is drawing widespread attention and affection from residents, earning the nickname of the city's latest famous family. The birds, reportedly on the Upper West Side, have charmed New Yorkers with their presence, a notable event given barn owls' rarity in the urban environment.

The Bank of England has announced that its next series of banknotes will carry images of British wildlife, including barn owls, bees, puffins and hedgehogs. The move follows the rollout of notes bearing King Charles III's portrait and is expected to be debated as a celebration of national nature and conservation efforts.

A group of barn owls has become the newest residents of Manhattan's Upper West Side, according to local news outlet Hell Gate. The arrival of the owls — collectively known as a 'parliament' — is drawing attention from New Yorkers charmed by wildlife setting up shop in a dense urban neighborhood better known for brownstones than birds of prey.

The Bank of England has announced that Britain's next banknotes will feature native wildlife, with barn owls, bumblebees, puffins and hedgehogs chosen for the new designs. The four species were selected following a public consultation, though the bank has yet to decide which animal will appear on which denomination. The move follows the tradition of depicting notable figures and themes on British currency.