Yorkshire Wild Birdwatching Blog

Ecology Report: Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus) in the United Kingdom
Introduction:
The Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a captivating and enigmatic bird of prey that inhabits a variety of open habitats across the United Kingdom (UK). This report aims to provide an overview of the ecology of the Short-Eared Owl, emphasising its current status on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern.

Distribution and Habitat:
Short-Eared Owls have a widespread distribution in the UK, favouring open landscapes such as moorlands, heathlands, marshes, and coastal areas. They are particularly associated with rough grassland, where they hunt for small mammals like voles and mice. Breeding populations are found throughout the country, with significant concentrations in Scotland, Wales, and northern England.

Breeding Biology:
Short-Eared Owls typically breed on the ground, relying on tall vegetation or the shelter of rocks for nesting sites. Breeding season usually occurs from March to July, and the owls produce a clutch of eggs that hatch after a short incubation period. The survival of their young is closely linked to the availability of prey, particularly small mammals.

Conservation Status:
The conservation status of the Short-Eared Owl is of concern, leading to its inclusion on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern in the UK. The Red List categorises species based on their population trends and breeding success. The Short-Eared Owl faces multiple threats that contribute to its declining numbers, including habitat loss due to agriculture intensification, urbanisation, and climate change.

Threats to Short-Eared Owls:

• Habitat Loss: Changes in land use and agricultural practices, including the conversion of natural habitats into farmland, have reduced the availability of suitable breeding and foraging areas.

• Climate Change: Alterations in weather patterns and temperature can affect the distribution of prey species, potentially impacting the owls' ability to find food.

• Human Disturbance: Increased human activities, such as recreational use of habitats, can disturb breeding birds and disrupt their nesting sites.

• Habitat Protection: Efforts to designate and protect important habitats for Short-Eared Owls, including the creation of nature reserves and conservation areas.

• Research and Monitoring: Ongoing research projects and monitoring programs help gather essential data on population trends, breeding success, and the impact of conservation interventions.

• Public Awareness: Increasing public awareness about the importance of conserving the Short-Eared Owl and its habitat, involving local communities in conservation efforts.

In the footage above there is some far away dodgy quality, forgive me, it was a bad day at the office. There is a piece showing a Ringed Plover pretending to be injured or having a broken wing in order to make itself look weak. This is done in order to draw away other birds from its own chicks, if you've never seen it before, it's a really interesting thing to watch.

The lifecycle of the North Eastern UK population of Little Tern (Sternula albifrons) begins in late spring when these small migratory seabirds return from their wintering grounds in West Africa to their breeding sites along the North East coast of the UK. They are colonial breeders and typically nest on shingle beaches, dunes, or salt marshes close to the shoreline.

Upon arrival, the pairs engage in courtship displays, which involve aerial acrobatics and vocalisations to establish pair bonds. Once a pair forms, they construct shallow scrapes in the sand or gravel, where the female lays 1 to 3 eggs. Incubation duties are shared by both parents, and this period lasts around three weeks.

After hatching, the chicks are precocial, meaning they are relatively independent and mobile from birth. The parents continue to protect and feed them, guiding them to foraging areas near the shoreline where they mainly feed on small fish and invertebrates.

The next crucial stage in their lifecycle is fledging, which usually occurs about 20 to 25 days after hatching. The chicks must learn to fly and become proficient swimmers during this time. Once they fledge, they face various challenges as they embark on their first migration to their wintering grounds in West Africa.

Throughout this lifecycle, Little Terns face threats from human disturbance, predation, coastal development, and changing environmental conditions. Conservation efforts, including habitat protection, predator control, and public awareness campaigns, play a crucial role in supporting the survival and successful breeding of this vulnerable seabird population in the North Eastern UK.