After our last, owl-focussed blog, we are profiling another type of owl, which has recently been spotted at the edge of the reserve. Wildlife enthusiast Adam Moan captured these amazing shots of a group of beautiful, juvenile Long-eared Owls (Latin name: Asio otus). Long-eared Owls are nocturnal and secretive, unlikely to be seen, other than on migration or when leaving or returning to a communal roost site in winter, so being able to see pictures of these ones up close is very special.
Long-eared Owls are medium-sized, slightly smaller than a Woodpigeon, and appear long and thin, with head feathers known as ear tufts (although they are not in fact ears), which can be raised when the bird is alarmed or wants to make itself look bigger. They are buff brown-coloured with dark brown streaks, a short, hooked, black beak and deep orange eyes. They measure between 35 and 37 cm in length, weigh 210 to 370g and have a wingspan of 84 to 95 cm. They are found in woodland, farmland and wetland habitats across the UK, with birds from Europe and the north of the UK migrating southwards for the winter, while birds in the south of the UK are resident and only move short distances to find food. There are between 1,800 and 6,000 breeding pairs in the UK – due to its nocturnal habits, the Long-eared Owl is difficult to survey and count, hence the large range. Long eared Owls are found across the UK, although there are fewer in Wales and the southwest of England. There is thought to be a larger population of Long-eared Owls in Ireland, which may be due to the fact that its largest competitor, the Tawny Owl, is not present there. Numbers are declining in some areas, likely due to habitat loss and an increase in competition with Tawny Owls. Log-eared Owls are classified as Green under UK Birds of Conservation Concern and protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Long-eared Owls form communal roosts of more than 20 birds, hunting and feeding on small mammals, such as mice and voles, and small birds. They sweep clearings and fields while searching for prey, flying in a zig-zag pattern while scanning the ground, then swooping down and catching their prey on the ground, biting it on the back of the head to immobilise it. They breed from February onwards, laying a clutch of three to five eggs in other birds’ old nests or in tree hollows. Chicks hatch after 25 to 30 days and are ready to fledge 30 days after this, although they are still fed by their parents for up to two months. Young Long-eared Owls make a distinctive call which sounds like a squeaky gate and can be heard in the summer months. Adults make a sombre ‘hoo, hoo’ hoot, which sounds like the noise made when blowing across the top of a glass bottle.