Planning a trip to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see Barn Owl in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Barn Owl are most active at night (18:00 to 06:00). Much of their activity falls outside gate hours, so the first drive after the gates open and the last hour before they close give you the best chance.
This is Barn Owl's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
Where to look for Barn Owl in Rietvlei Nature Reserve: best roads
Drive
Acacia Route, Vleiroete Road and Main Road run through open grassland: good country for Barn Owl.
- Acacia Route7.4 km · open grassland
- Vleiroete Road5.7 km · open grassland
- Main Road4.6 km · open grassland
Picked from habitat, not from sightings. opspoor shows where Barn Owl have actually been seen recently.
About the Barn Owl
A distinctive medium-sized owl recognised by its heart-shaped white facial disc, pale underparts and mottled golden-brown upperparts. The Barn Owl occurs in a wide range of open habitats, farmland, grassland and woodland edges, often roosting and nesting in buildings, barns, cliffs and hollow trees. It is primarily nocturnal and hunts mainly rodents using exceptional hearing and silent flight.
How to identify the Barn Owl
A medium-sized owl with a distinctive heart-shaped white facial disc, dark eyes, long legs, and pale underparts. The upperparts are typically golden-buff and grey with fine spotting, making it unmistakable when seen clearly.
Other species to look for in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Other parks where you can see Barn Owl
Heading to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? opspoor shows where Barn Owl have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.