Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan)
Family: Strigidae

The short-eared owl is the most likely owl to be encountered in Ireland due to the fact that it hunts in the daytime and roosts on the ground. Most of the other owls in Britain and Ireland are either crepuscular (feeding at twilight or dusk) or nocturnal (feeding at night). It is a medium-sized owl with typical broad-winged silhouette and ‘flat face’.

In brief

• May be resident in Northern Ireland in very small numbers, but winter visitors account for most of the birds encountered. The uplands of County Antrim offer the best opportunities

• Requires large tracts of open rough ground, especially moorland associated with young conifer plantations

• Best time to see them is winter

• The short-eared owl is listed in the Irish Red Data Book

• May well be increasing as a breeding species but is still very rare

• Threats are not known, but damage to and disturbance of wintering and breeding habitat are sure to be detrimental.

Species description
The short-eared owl is a medium-sized owl, 13 to 17 inches in length and with a wingspan of about 42 inches. The plumage is buff-brown with dark streaks on the chest, belly and back. Males tend to be lighter in colour than females. The wings and tail are strongly barred. The yellow eyes are circled with black and are set in a whitish or buff-white facial disc which is suffused with a ring of brown. The head appears round without any ear-tufts; however, at close range small ear-tufts are visible. The flight pattern is buoyant and appears almost casual as they drift along in a low, gliding flight.

Life cycle

Similar species
The only possible confusion species within Ireland is the long-eared owl. The easiest features for separation are the extent of streaking on the chest and underparts (restricted to the chest in short-eared owl) and by observation of the colour of the tips of the underwing (black in short-eared owl, barred in long-eared owl). If an owl is flushed from the ground or seen hunting in the daytime it is most likely to be a short-eared owl.

How to see this species
The best chance to see one in Northern Ireland is to respond rapidly to a report on Flightline. They may be resident in Northern Ireland in very small numbers but winter visitors account for most of the birds encountered. The uplands of County Antrim offer the best opportunities to see them. They require large tracts of open rough ground, especially moorland associated with young conifer plantations.

Current status
The first report of breeding short-eared owls in Ireland was a report of breeding in County Kilkenny and County Tipperary in 1923 and 1927 respectively. However, these claims have been the subject of some scepticism. Attempted breeding was also reported from County Mayo in 1923. In 1959, breeding was proved in County Galway when three young were reared. In 1976, short-eared owls were again found breeding successfully in Ireland; two pairs nested (Counties Kerry and Limerick) and another two almost certainly did so (County Limerick).

In 1997, breeding was confirmed in County Antrim but this was not repeated in 1998; however in 1999, three nesting sites were located, all in the same county. It has been postulated that this influx was due to a dramatic population crash of their favoured food, the short-tailed vole, in southern Scotland (pers. comm. D. Scott). Breeding took place in County Tyrone in 2000 when one recently-fledged young was observed. A pair then raised three young in County Antrim in 2001. The short-tailed vole does not occur in Ireland and the bank vole does not occur in Northern Ireland, so clearly breeding short-eared owls in Northern Ireland use a different food source, presumably rats, mice and pygmy shrew.

Why is this species a priority in Northern Ireland?

• This species is rare with the Irish population possibly now restricted to Northern Ireland.

The Irish Red Data Book lists the species as Rare, and it is Amber listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern in the UK and Ireland.

Threats/Causes of decline
None known, but damage to and disturbance of wintering and breeding habitat are sure to be detrimental.

Conservation of this species

Current action

• Former / potential breeding sites in Antrim safeguarded through ASSI designation

• Implementation of the Northern Ireland Habitat Action Plan for Upland Heathland.

Proposed objectives/actions

• None.

What you can do
In Northern Ireland, all summer sightings should be reported to RSPB (028 9049 1547). All sightings should be reported to Northern Ireland Birdwatchers’ Association, Flightline (028 9146 7408)

Further information

Links
A general information page provided by RSPB.

Some excellent photographs from The Owl Pages.

Northern Ireland Habitat Action Plans

Further information on ASSIs

Literature

Text written by:
Allen & Mellon Environmental Ltd.