Image: Wikimedia Commons
Short-eared Owl at Marshside — A Winter Visitor Worth Waiting For
20 January 2026
Short-eared Owls are not guaranteed at Marshside. Some winters you'll see three in an afternoon; some years they're barely present at all. That unpredictability is part of what makes finding one feel like a proper reward. Here's what you need to know to give yourself the best chance.
When they're present
Short-eared Owls arrive from Scandinavia and northern Britain from October onwards, numbers dependent on vole cycles in their breeding areas. In good vole years, significant numbers come south; in poor years, very few. The Sefton Coast marshes provide winter hunting grounds for birds that settle in the area from October through to March.
Not every winter produces good numbers. The best bet is to check local birding reports (Lancashire Bird Club) before making a dedicated visit. When birds are present, they're usually reliable.
Where to look
The saltmarsh and rough grassland at Marshside RSPB is the key area. Birds hunt low over the marsh, often in late afternoon when they become more active before dusk. The sea wall footpath gives a good viewpoint over the hunting ground.
Hesketh Out Marsh, to the north, is also worth checking. Short-eared Owls are nomadic and will range across several kilometres of suitable habitat. On good winter days, two or three birds may be visible simultaneously over the marsh.
Identification
Short-eared Owls are distinctive in flight — buoyant, floppy wingbeats, often described as moth-like. The yellow eyes and dark carpal patches on the underwing are good marks. They frequently hover briefly before dropping onto prey.
The 'short ears' are tufts on the crown, rarely visible in the field. The name is misleading but embedded now. In direct comparison with Barn Owl — which also quarters the Marshside area occasionally — the Short-eared looks browner and more streaked, with a rounder face.
Getting the best views
Late afternoon is the time. Short-eared Owls are most active in the two hours before dark. Position yourself on the sea wall with the marsh in front of you and the light behind. In January, this means being in position by 3pm at the latest.
They can come close. Birds hunting along the marsh edge will sometimes quarter to within 20 metres of the path. Keep still, move slowly, and don't wave arms or make sudden movements — the usual advice, but worth repeating.
A scope is useful for picking birds up at distance over the marsh. Once located, binoculars give a better view of a hunting bird.
About the author
Ed
Ed has been walking the Sefton Coast since the 1980s. He keeps a yearly bird tally, owns more waterproof jackets than he'd care to admit, and has strong opinions about which hide has the best light in the morning. Retired geography teacher. Still gets up at five.