The least numerous of our five owl species, the Short-eared Owl is most likely to be encountered by day, quartering moorland on the hunt for small mammals and other prey items. In his book The State of the Nations’ Birds, Chris Mead estimated that there are only just over two thousand pairs in the British Isles.

The Short-eared Owl is like a will-o’-the-wisp – turning up in areas one year and disappearing the next! There are few species of birds in which adults change breeding areas between years and this nomadic behaviour makes conservation even more of a challenge. Most pairs are now confined to Scotland, as can be seen from the most recent BTO survey, conducted for the second Breeding Atlas of 1988-1991.

Breeding pairs have been lost from many areas. To see an earlier distribution map, click here.

How will the BTO Owl Appeal help Short-eared Owls?

Click here for further information