Long-Eared Owl Welfare: A Farmland Specialist Under Pressure

The long-eared owl (Asio otus) is a secretive farmland and woodland-edge specialist whose welfare is tied to small mammal prey availability and undisturbed nesting habitat.

Key Facts

Long-eared owls are highly nomadic, following vole population cycles across their range
UK breeding population is estimated at 1,000-3,500 pairs, with numbers difficult to assess due to secrecy
They roost communally in winter in dense scrub or conifer shelter belts, sometimes in groups of 20+
Long-eared owls rarely build their own nests, preferring old crow, magpie, or sparrowhawk nests

Welfare Considerations

Long-eared owl welfare is linked to vole population dynamics — in years of vole crash, breeding success collapses and birds may abandon territories. Rough grassland management that supports field vole populations directly benefits this species. Nest disturbance causes immediate abandonment with chick loss. Rodenticide use in farmland contexts reduces prey availability and causes secondary poisoning. Winter communal roost sites require protection from human disturbance during cold months when energy budgets are tight.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that maintain rough grassland margins for small mammal populations
Advocate for restrictions on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in agricultural settings
Report long-eared owl sightings especially communal winter roosts to county bird recorders
Protect scrub and hedgerow habitats that provide both nesting and roost sites for long-eared owls