long eared owls

The Long Eared Owl; the hardest of all the Uk Owl species to find and photograph. I have been very fortunate to have been able to photograph these beautiful birds on quite a few occasions. I have been able to capture images of both adult birds and also juveniles.

Long-eared owls (Asio otus) are medium-sized owls known for their distinctive long ear tufts, which are actually feathers and not ears. They have striking orange eyes and a mottled brown and cream plumage that provides excellent camouflage.

These owls are primarily nocturnal and are rarely seen during the day. They prefer habitats such as mixed and coniferous woodlands, dense thickets, and hedgerows and can be found throughout the UK. Their diet mainly consists of small rodents, but they may also hunt small birds, especially in winter.

The UK population of long-eared owls is estimated to be between 1,800 and 6,000 pairs. They are considered a resident species, but northern populations may migrate southwards during harsh winters.