Short-eared Owl - 1994

Breeding resident and winter visitor

Mathew (1894) considered the Short-eared Owl to be common in the winter. He also noted that eggs had been taken from Skomer, where R. Drane* saw half-grown young in 1895. Lockley et al. (1949) stated that they were frequently seen over heaths and bogs in the winter, and noted breeding at Skomer and Ramsey.

Up to five pairs have continued to breed at Skomer, which can represent 20% of the Welsh population, but there was an unprecedented 12 pairs there in 1993 as this book was compiled. Breeding was reasonably frequent on the St David's commons but may now have ceased. Elsewhere breeding has been sporadic and confined to rough ground and young plantations, like those around the Preseli Mountains which have now matured.

They have been seen arriving off the sea at Strumble Head in October and November, when they have also occurred at the Smalls and Grassholm, with up to nine recorded at Skokholm. Records at the Smalls and South Bishop in March and April may refer to birds on return passage.

A remarkable influx occurred during a cold spell in January 1982 when at least 40 were present at Ramsey. Winter birds have become scarcer during the 1980s and early 1990s, being recorded at 14 sites in 1983 but at no more than seven localities in any year since.

Fieldwork 1984-88(based on 478 tetrads)

Red = breeding confirmed = 1

Yellow = breeding possible = 2

Total tetrads in which registered = 3 (0.6%)

Donovan J.W. & Rees G.H (1994), Birds of Pembrokeshire

*NB - Robert Drane's observation - 1895 Half grown young found,Skomer (R.Drane)  NiW, Vol 4 No 4