The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is a medium-sized owl found throughout the UK. As their name suggests, short-eared owls have small ear tufts that are usually not visible. These birds get their name from the fact that their ear tufts are shorter than those of many other owls. Short-eared owls are found in a variety of open habitats across Britain and Ireland. They nest on the ground, making their nests in areas with tall vegetation. Read on to learn more about where short-eared owls live in the UK.
Favored Habitats
Short-eared owls occupy several key habitats in Britain and Ireland:
Moorland
One of the primary habitats for short-eared owls in the UK is moorland. Moorlands are open, elevated areas characterized by low, shrubby vegetation and poor soil quality. The owls favor moorlands with tall grasses or heather that provide cover for nesting and roosting. Prominent moorlands that are home to short-eared owls include the North York Moors, Dartmoor, Exmoor, and Bodmin Moor in England.
Grasslands
Grasslands, like moorlands, provide open terrain that short-eared owls rely on for hunting. Grassland habitats used by these owls include pastures, meadows, fens, and downs. In Scotland, short-eared owls occupy grassy landscapes on Orkney and the Outer Hebrides islands. The species also inhabits the mixed farmland and grasslands across much of lowland Britain and Ireland.
Coastal regions
Coastal habitats are another key ecosystem for short-eared owls in Britain. Owls use dune systems, saltmarshes, estuaries, beaches, and coastal grasslands. Prime coastal areas include the Norfolk coast, Kent coast, Essex coast, Suffolk coast, and North Wales coast. On the island of Ireland, short-eared owls frequent coastal landscapes in Counties Dublin, Wexford, and Waterford.
Farmland
Short-eared owls live in agricultural areas across Britain and Ireland. They exploit meadows, pasturelands, drained marshlands, and cereal crop fields. The owls often nest and roost along field margins or in patches of dense vegetation. Extensive areas of farmland occupied by short-eared owls include East Anglia, Lancashire Plain, Somerset Levels, and the Midlands.
Breeding
The breeding season for short-eared owls in the UK lasts from April to July. During this time, the owls establish nesting territories and construct nests:
Nesting territories
Male short-eared owls select open nesting areas and defend territories ranging from around 30 to 70 hectares in size. Favored nesting sites have good visibility, relatively short vegetation, and abundant prey resources. The male performs display flights and song to attract a mate and warn off intruders.
Nest sites
Short-eared owls nest on the ground in a scrape or cup nest. Nest sites are hidden under vegetation like tall grasses, heather, cereal crops, or other dense low-growing plants. These sites provide cover while allowing the owls to monitor the surroundings. The female typically lays between 4-7 eggs that incubate for 24-28 days before hatching.
Brood-rearing
For around 35 days after hatching, the female broods and feeds the young at the nest. The male provides food items he captures to the female and offspring. At 25-30 days old, the owlets start wandering from the nest but remain dependent on the parents. The owls fledge at 30-40 days old.
Population Distribution
While found throughout the UK, short-eared owl populations are unevenly distributed with higher densities in certain regions:
England
In England, strong populations exist on moorlands like the North York Moors and grassland areas of the East Anglian Fens. Other population centers include the Lancashire plain, Somerset levels, Wiltshire plains, Hampshire downs, and Kent coast.
Scotland
Large numbers of short-eared owls inhabit moors and grasslands on Orkney and the Outer Hebrides. Good populations are also found in Shetland, the Flow Country, Aberdeenshire, and the Hebrides.
Wales
Most short-eared owls in Wales occur along the coasts and estuaries of the north and west. Key areas include Anglesey, Llyn Peninsula, Aberystwyth coast, Cardigan Bay, and the Burry Inlet.
Ireland
In Ireland, short-eared owls mainly occupy grasslands in the midlands and coastal regions. Strongholds include the Shannon Callows, east Wexford, Dublin coast, Cork Harbour, and Galway Bay.
Population & Conservation Status
The UK short-eared owl population has declined over the last century, resulting in conservation concerns:
Historic population decline
Short-eared owls were once common and widespread across Britain and Ireland. However, the population underwent a severe decline during the 20th century linked to habitat loss. Numbers decreased by around 80% from 1930-1990.
Current population
Today, the short-eared owl population in the UK is estimated to be only around 800-1000 pairs. The species is designated as amber listed, denoting medium conservation concern.
Threats & protections
Habitat loss continues to threaten short-eared owls today. The owls are also killed illegally by poachers and poisoned by pesticides. They are protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. Conservation efforts aim to preserve and restore open habitats favored by short-eared owls.
Daily & Seasonal Activity
Short-eared owls exhibit peaks in activity levels at certain times of day and year:
Daily cycles
Short-eared owls are crepuscular, being most active at dawn and dusk. During daylight hours, they typically roost resting on the ground or perched low in vegetation. They resume hunting as light fades in the evening.
Winter activity
During winter, short-eared owls are more active during the daytime as they experience increased energy demands. The lack of vegetation cover also makes daytime hunting more efficient in the winter.
Breeding season
Activity increases during the breeding season from courtship and territorial displays. The male performs elaborate song-flights and wing-clapping shows. Both sexes are also busy hunting to feed their offspring at the nest.
Migration and dispersal
Some short-eared owls that breed in the UK migrate south in winter. However, many are resident year-round or nomadic. Juveniles disperse from nesting areas in late summer and autumn, leading to increased sightings as they roam widely.
Hunting & Feeding
Short-eared owls are specialist hunters of small mammals and birds:
Hunting style
Short-eared owls hunt while flying low and slowly over open ground. Their flight is buoyant and floppy. Their long wings allow them to hover and plunge feet first to grab prey.
Primary prey
Voles comprise over 75% of the diet. They also eat mice, shrews, rats and small birds like pipits, larks, sparrows and starlings.
Hunting habitat
Short-eared owls hunt over grasslands, marshes, moors, dunes and farmland. They exploit habitats with high populations of small rodents.
Table: Prey species of the short-eared owl in Britain/Ireland
Mammals | Birds |
Common vole | Skylark |
Field vole | Meadow pipit |
Bank vole | Starling |
Wood mouse | Lapwing |
House mouse | Dunlin |
Brown rat | Northern wheatear |
Shrews | Wagtails |
Feeding habits
Short-eared owls hunt mostly around dusk and dawn. They consume prey immediately or cache extra food on the ground to eat later. Nestlings are fed up to 6 times per night by the parents.
Identification
Identifying short-eared owls requires noting several key features:
Size and shape
– Medium-sized owl, about 34-43cm long with an 80-95cm wingspan
– Stocky, rounded body shape
– Broad wings and short tail
Plumage
– Cryptic brown, buff, and tawny upperparts with dark streaks
– Pale buff underparts with brown streaks
– Faint dark carpal patches (“wrist” marks) when perched
– Short ear tufts rarely visible
Facial disk
– Pale buffy-brown facial disk with black-rimmed eyes
– Border between facial disk and underparts poorly defined
Flight style
– Bouyant, moth-like flight low over ground
– Hovering and sharp plunges to catch prey
– Rarely glides like other owls
Similar species
The long-eared owl has very similar plumage but longer ear tufts and more defined facial disk border. Hen harriers share the habitat but are slimmer with narrower wings.
Vocalizations
Male short-eared owls perform songflight displays accompanied by wheezing notes:
Songflight calls
A far-carrying, breathy “hoo-hoo-hoo” every 1-2 seconds through the display flight.
Advertising calls
A disyllabic bark or hoarse “kee-yow” given in flight or from perch.
Alarm calls
A harsh, rasping “chaa-aa-aa” or “raa-aa-aa” when attacking intruders.
Juvenile begging calls
Loud hisses accompanied by snapping mandibles.
Best places to spot short-eared owls in UK
Some top sites for finding short-eared owls in Britain and Ireland:
England
– North York Moors
– Norfolk Coast AONB
– Rutland Water
– Somerset Levels
– Chichester Harbour
Scotland
– Orkney Islands
– Aberdeenshire Coast
– Isle of Skye
– Flow Country
– Loch of Strathbeg
Wales
– Anglesey Fens
– Llyn Peninsula Coast
– Brecknock Wildlife Trust Reserves
– Radnorshire Wildlife Trust Reserves
– Skomer Island
Ireland
– Midlands Farmland
– Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
– Cork Harbour
– Shannon Callows
– Rathlin Island
Conclusion
In summary, short-eared owls inhabit open moorland, grassland, coastal, and farmland habitats across Britain and Ireland. Though populations have declined, strongholds remain in areas like the North York Moors, East Anglian fens, Orkney Islands, and Irish Midlands. The owls can be seen hunting low over the ground, especially at dawn and dusk, listening for small rodent prey. Their behavior and habitat use make them one of Britain’s most distinctive and specialized birds of prey. Protecting their preferred open, wild habitats will be key to conserving short-eared owl populations into the future.