Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Short-eared Owl is one of those birds you can watch for a long time. It hunts in full daylight, drifting on buoyant wings low over rush and grass areas, dropping suddenly onto voles. On a good winter afternoon at Marshside you might see four or five working the same area. Numbers vary enormously year to year depending on vole cycles — in irruption years when voles crash on the breeding grounds, owls move south in large numbers.
At a Glance
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Habitat | Open marsh · Rough grassland · Coastal farmland |
| Diet | Field voles (primary prey), small mammals, birds |
| UK population | Around 1,000 breeding pairs in UK uplands; winter influx from northern Europe |
| Sefton Coast | 1–8 birds most winters; occasional irruption years with higher numbers |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Marshside RSPB and Crossens Marsh. Hesketh Out Marsh. They hunt in daylight over rough grass.
Identification
Medium-large owl. Streaked tawny-brown. Yellow eyes with dark patches below. Short 'ear' tufts rarely visible. Pale underwing with dark carpal patch.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Late afternoon in winter — they become more active before dusk. The marsh between Marshside car park and Hesketh Bank is reliable.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Short-eared Owl numbers vary so much each winter at Marshside?
Short-eared Owl populations track field vole cycles. When voles crash on Scandinavian breeding grounds, owls move south in large irruption events. In good years, 5–10 birds can be seen over Marshside; in poor years, just one or two. Check recent sightings reports before visiting.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.