by Chris McMaster

Created on: August 05, 2011   Last Updated: August 08, 2011

Short-eared Owls are made famous for their stunning, bright yellow eyes which dart around sharply, constantly scanning their surroundings. The birds are brown with white speckles, and have an average wingspan of 80-105cm. Spotting these birds is surprisingly easy, as they can be found in almost every continent on Earth. Provided you take into account the bird’s habitat and prey, even a beginner birdwatcher can spot the Owl right in the United Kingdom.

Climate of the Short-eared Owl

The owl has adapted to a wide variety of climates and can be found in almost any environment with rodents. It’s also one of the most common owls, and can be found all over the world. In the winter the bird will migrate south for warmer temperatures and more active prey. The bird is not entirely nocturnal, and can be found soaring about just before dusk. If there isn’t enough food scurrying about for the owl, they will wander elsewhere, so finding the owl is as simple as finding the prey.

Prey of the Short-eared Owl

The main prey of the Short-eared owl are voles, the owl’s preferred food and specialty. In fact, any location with a large amount of voles is almost guaranteed to be the hunting grounds of local Short-eared Owls. Other rodents are also target for the owl, including mice, squirrels and gophers. Sometimes the bird will feast upon smaller birds such as shrews and even insects like grasshoppers in a pinch. The Short-eared Owl usually hunts by soaring just a few feet away from the ground, and pouncing upon its prey with deadly accuracy. The sight of a Short-eared Owl hunting is breathtaking and should be experienced by all bird enthusiasts.

Short-eared Owls in the UK

The Short-eared Owl can easily be found in the UK by even the most inexperienced of bird watchers, provided they know where to look. In the summer months, the owl resides all over Scotland, in particular the northern and western parts. In the winter, the bird will migrate south slightly, but can be found all over rural England and even Ireland year-round. Unfortunately, the sight of a Short-eared Owl is becoming increasingly hard to find, as their numbers dwindle. While not an endangered or even threatened species, you should still be cautious as to not harm the owl or its habitat in any way, so that others may enjoy the owl’s company. With caution and a little bit of planning, you’ll be able to witness the beauty of one of The United Kingdom’s most common owls.

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