The long-eared owl is one of the most secretive and poorly monitored owls in Britain, roosting in dense conifers by day and hunting woodland edges by night, with welfare challenges arising from habitat loss and monitoring gaps.
Long-eared owl welfare monitoring is hampered by the species extreme secretiveness, making population trends very uncertain. Communal roost sites are vulnerable to disturbance by birdwatchers during winter, when the birds are concentrated and easily located. Loss of the dense scrub and young plantation habitat used for roosting and nesting reduces carrying capacity. The conversion of young conifer plantations to mature forest or open habitat removes both nesting and prey hunting opportunities.