Short-eared Owl

ASHBOURNE APRIL 2009

The most diurnal (daytime) of our owls, this winter visitor to Ireland can often be found in scrub near the coast. Every evening at at about 5 or 6pm, the birds from this group of three would take to the air. They would approach each other at or near ground level and when just a metre or so apart. they would rise sharply in the air, as if to greet each other. It was not uncommon for the crows to mob them, but periodically the owls would turn and the crows would scatter.