A pair of tawny owls has bred in Flevopark for the first time, raising five young fledglings this year. The birds were confirmed after city ecologist Koen Wonders tracked their calls and installed nest boxes with colleagues.
An analysis of owl pellets gathered in the park showed the owls primarily fed on young brown rats alongside one starling. While tawny owls usually hunt mice in rural environments, urban predators such as city foxes and grey herons increasingly target rats in parks.
Expanding numbers across city parks
Tawny owls once lived almost exclusively in the Amsterdamse Bos within the municipality, but their numbers there have grown to between 25 and 35 pairs.
Around 100 pairs are now estimated to breed across Amsterdam, including in Vliegenbos, Rembrandtpark, Sloterpark, Noorder IJplassen, Diemerpark, and potentially courtyard gardens in Watergraafsmeer.
The growth reflects a nationwide trend supported by nest-box volunteers, mature post-war tree planting with natural hollows, and bans on toxic chemicals such as DDT.
Wonders expects the Flevopark owls to resume their territorial calls in October as they establish territories and prepare for next season, while this year’s young may disperse toward Science Park, Diemerzeedijk, or Sportpark Middenmeer.
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