Wildlife

UK Short-Eared Owl Conservation and Grassland

Conservation of short-eared owls in UK upland and coastal grassland habitats.

Key Facts

Short-eared owls hunt by day over open moorland, grassland, and coastal marshes
UK breeding population fluctuates with vole cycles on upland moors
Wintering birds from Scandinavia supplement UK resident population
Short-eared owls are ground nesters vulnerable to predation and human disturbance
Loss of open grassland through intensification threatens breeding populations

Welfare Considerations

Individual short-eared owls face welfare risks from prey scarcity and disturbance of ground nest sites, with open grassland conservation delivering welfare benefits for both breeding and wintering birds.

What You Can Do

Support upland moorland conservation through the RSPB and Moorland Association
Record short-eared owl sightings to assist population monitoring
Avoid approaching displaying or hunting short-eared owls during breeding season