Wildlife

Short-Eared Owl Welfare and Upland Habitat in the UK

Short-eared owls are ground-nesting raptors of open moorland and grassland, facing welfare threats from habitat loss and illegal persecution in the UK.

Key Facts

Short-eared owls are one of Britain's few diurnal owls, often seen hunting over moorland and coastal grassland in daylight
They nest on the ground in dense heather or grass, making eggs and chicks highly vulnerable to predator and human disturbance
Persecution on driven grouse moors has been recorded through poisoning and trapping — illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
Vole population cycles drive boom-bust breeding productivity, making habitat management critical in lower-vole years

Welfare Considerations

Ground-nesting short-eared owls face disproportionate welfare risks compared to tree-nesting raptors. Nest trampling by livestock, quad bikes and moorland walkers causes direct egg and chick mortality. Illegal persecution on intensively managed grouse moors represents a significant source of adult mortality. Loss of rough grassland and rush pasture reduces vole prey availability, causing starvation stress in both adults and chicks during nest failure years.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and Natural England hen harrier and short-eared owl monitoring in key upland areas
Maintain rough grassland margins and rush pastures on farmland to support vole populations
Report suspected persecution incidents to the Wildlife Crime Unit or RSPB Investigations
Keep dogs on leads during the March-August ground-nesting season in short-eared owl habitats