Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Length 38cm

A large and well-marked owl, often seen feeding in daylight. Favours areas of open grassland for hunting small mammals and birds and often perches on fenceposts providing good views for observers. Plumage mainly buffish brown but heavily marked with dark spots and streaks. Seen head-on, round facial disc, short 'ear' tufts and staring yellow eyes are noticeable. Flight is leisurely and slow on long rounded-tipped wings with pale undersides. Usually quarters ground at low level but displaying birds sometimes rise to considerable heights. Breeds mainly in N Britain and nests on ground among clumps of moorland grass or young plantation conifers. In winter, range extends to much of S Britain where often seen on downland and coastal grassland. Absent from Ireland.