New residents making home at Goodwood Motor Circuit

25th June 2026

This summer, Goodwood Motor Circuit has welcomed some unexpected new residents.

  • Sustainability

  • Motor Circuit

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Just south of the circuit, a pair of barn owls and kestrels have taken up residence amongst the straw bales usually used during events. Rather than relocate the bales, the Event Operations team adapted its plans, allowing these protected birds the space they need to breed successfully.

The arrival of these species highlights the important role Goodwood's landscape plays in supporting local wildlife. Barn owls rely on open, undisturbed areas of rough grassland where small mammals such as voles, mice and shrews thrive. Hunting primarily at dawn and dusk, they typically raise between three and six chicks, which remain dependent on their parents for several weeks after hatching.

Kestrels, classified as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5, are well known for their remarkable ability to hover almost motionless in the air while searching for prey below, a behaviour known as windhovering. Feeding on small mammals, insects and earthworms, they often nest in tree cavities, nest boxes and straw stacks, laying four to six eggs each season.

Both barn owls and kestrels have experienced population declines in recent decades as a result of habitat loss. In response, Goodwood has continued to review how its land is managed, increasing areas of lower intervention habitat and reducing disturbance in less productive parts of the Estate. These areas provide valuable feeding and nesting opportunities for a wide range of species, helping wildlife thrive alongside farming, forestry and events.

Lastly, unphased by the bustling activity of the track, a pair of swallows have made their home in a ladies' toilet block, transforming a corner of the circuit into a nursery. To allow the birds to nest and raise their young undisturbed, the facilities have been temporarily screened off for the season.

Whether it's screening off a building for nesting swallows or adapting plans around a stack of straw bales, these small actions reflect a wider commitment to creating space for nature across the estate. Even in one of Goodwood's busiest locations, wildlife remains very much part of the story.

  • Sustainability

  • Motor Circuit