Long-Eared Owl Welfare: Woodland Habitat and Prey Availability

Long-eared owls are secretive residents and winter visitors to the UK, with welfare linked to small mammal prey cycles and woodland edge habitat quality.

Key Facts

UK long-eared owl populations are estimated at 2,000-8,000 pairs with significant uncertainty
The species relies heavily on field voles and other small mammals for food
Long-eared owls favour coniferous plantations and woodland edges for nesting and hunting
Winter roost sites in hawthorn and elder scrub can contain dozens of birds in good vole years
Long-eared owls are highly vulnerable to second-generation rodenticide poisoning

Welfare Considerations

Long-eared owl welfare is intimately linked to the vole population cycle. In years of vole scarcity, owls experience nutritional stress and may fail to breed successfully. Winter mortality increases when food availability is poor. Secondary poisoning from SGAR rodenticides accumulated in vole prey causes anticoagulant toxicity. The secretive nature of long-eared owls means individual welfare monitoring is difficult, but population trends and breeding success rates reflect aggregate welfare outcomes. Forest edge management that maintains hunting habitat adjacent to woodland nest sites, and reduction of SGAR rodenticide use, are the most impactful welfare-positive management actions for long-eared owls.

What You Can Do

Reduce or eliminate second-generation rodenticide use in areas where long-eared owls hunt
Support woodland management that maintains hunting habitat adjacent to nest sites
Report long-eared owl sightings to local recording groups to contribute to population monitoring
Never disturb winter roost sites which can contain vulnerable birds in poor condition