For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Short-Eared Owls
Scientific name: Asio flammeus
Size: Up to 40cm
Distribution: Found throughout most of the UK. Scarce in north west Scotland and the west of N. Ireland
Months seen: All year round
Habitat: Fields, farmland, moors and coastal marshes
Food: Mice and voles
Special features: Short-eared owls have mottled brown plumage and bright yellow eyes. They are daytime hunters with long narrow wings, and are able to glide silently onto their small mammal prey.
Rather than perching in trees Short-eared owls prefer to perch on the ground or on fence posts. They nest on the ground in thick vegetation.
The 'short ears', which give these birds their name, are the two short feathery tufts on top of the head. They can be raised or lowered at will. Although they are not used for hearing, they are thought to be used as a communication device to signal to other owls.
Sightings
2005 - Lincolns West Common, Lincs - Roger Goy
2008 - Seaton Carew, Cleveland - Ian Forrest
2010 - Rainham Marshes, Essex - Les Harrison
2010 - Lincs - Dean Eades
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