UK Wildlife

Long-eared Owl Secretive Moorland Predator

The long-eared owl is a strictly nocturnal and secretive owl of conifer plantations and open moorland, often overlooked and poorly monitored compared to other UK owl species.

Key Facts

Long-eared owls have prominent ear tufts that are not ears but feather tufts for camouflage
UK breeding population estimated at 1,800-6,000 pairs but very poorly known
Communal winter roosts in dense hedgerows can hold 20+ birds
Dependent on voles and mice, often hunting over open ground
Migratory individuals from Scandinavia swell numbers in winter

Welfare Considerations

Long-eared owl is one of the least studied UK owls. Loss of open land adjacent to conifer plantations and loss of rough grassland reduce hunting opportunities. Rodenticide secondary poisoning is a risk. Winter roost sites need protection from disturbance.

What You Can Do

Protect known long-eared owl winter roost sites from recreational disturbance
Use rodenticides responsibly to protect owls from secondary poisoning
Record long-eared owl through the BTO owl survey to improve population knowledge