PBC: Short-eared Owl

Peterborough Bird Club annual report
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus | A | Scarce

1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003

2003

Scarce.
Following the large numbers at the Nene Washes towards the end of 2002, there was a mass exodus with only four birds remaining along the South Barrier Bank to 5 Jan (RSPB). One at Crowland Wash on 8 May was the last record of the spring (JR). The first returning bird of the second winter period was a report of an early bird at Baston Fen NR on 3 Sep (BirdGuides.com).
No further records until the end of October, when the main arrival occurred. Notable counts included five on the Nene Washes during the latter part of the year, two at Baston Fen NR on 5 Jan (JR), two at Newborough PS on 18 Apr and two at Deeping High Bank on 26 Apr (AD). Single birds received from a further nine locations.

2002

Scarce.
One of the most notable avian events in the PBC area during 2002 was the record numbers of Short-eared Owls on the Nene Washes towards the later part of the year, taking advantage of a Short-tailed Vole Microtus agrestis eruption. Numbers during the first winter period were about normal with 6+ birds wintering along the Washes (RSPB). Up to two birds remained during April and two were seen together in suitable breeding habitat on the Washes and may have been breeding.

Short-eared Owls on the Nene Washes

During the autumn and second winter period, singles were regularly sighting from 11 Aug with numbers increasing to five on 15 Oct. On 21 Oct, 13 birds were seen at Eldernell, alerting RSPB staff and local birders to an influx. A thorough count was made on 31 Oct, revealing a record 53 birds along the whole Nene Washes; 48 were still present on 19 Nov though numbers declined slightly to 37 on 11 Dec. As flooding on the Washes reduced the areas of suitable habitat, both Short-eared Owls and Kestrels were concentrated onto the barrier banks. The main roost site during this influx was at Eldernell with a peak of 28 on 19 Nov. The graph above summarises winter counts of Short-eared Owls on the Nene Washes over the last 20 years.
Away from the Nene Washes, a single bird was at Baston Fen NR on 19 Nov with three there on 13 Dec (JR). Two were at Crowland on 24 Nov (KJS) and Thorney Dyke on 28 Nov (GRH, MB), with singles also at Deeping High Bank, Holme Fen, Orton BP, Prior’s Fen GP and Woodwalton Fen NNR.

2001

Scarce winter migrant and passage migrant, casual breeder. Rare away from Nene Washes.
A relatively poor year, and with the Nene Washes flooded, it was reported only from Bourne South Fen (KKH) and Baston Fen NR (TW) early in the year. One at Baston Fen NR 17 Mar (TW) was the last until one at Nene Washes 6–10 Jul (RSPB). Summer records of this species are always intriguing as they have bred in the past and could do so again.
Returning birds were reported on the Nene Washes from 28 Oct (RSPB) and four were at Eldernell 3 Nov (GRH). Good numbers were reported here from then on, involving up to ten birds with eight seen together from Eldernell on 31 Dec (MJW). One at Baston Fen NR 13 Dec (EJR) is the only other record.

Distribution of Short–eared Owls on the Nene Washes, Oct-Dec 2002 (RSPB)

Stanground Wash	1
High Wash	1-3
RSPB reserve	1-2
Eldernell	1-4
March Farmers	3
Ring's End	1

2000

Scarce winter visitor, has bred.
During January and February, a minimum population of 12-15 on the Nene Washes. Six were still present in mid-March and 1-2 were recorded up to 24 Apr. Away from the washes, there were singles on several dates at Hampton Lakes 30 Jan and 20 Feb, at Fletton BP complex 26 Jan-20 Feb and three there 12-19 Feb, with possibly the same trio at Orton BP on 12 Feb. One or two were at Deeping High Bank 11 Mar-8 Apr.
The species was much scarcer later in the year, after an unexpected record of one at Baston & Langtoft GP 26 Apr (TW), one at Farcet Fen 7 Oct and 1-2 at the Nene Washes on several dates 4 Nov-18 Dec, with four there 19 Nov, and one at Woodwalton Fen NNR 2 Dec (CBR).

1999

Scarce winter visitor, has bred.
A tremendous year for the species on the Nene Washes, with up to six between Eldernell and Ring's End 31 Jan. Birds were seen sporadically during the summer months and breeding was suspected just outside the recording area.
An influx of birds took place during the autumn, with many double-figure counts. A co-ordinated count along the length of the washes revealed a total of 32 birds. Away from the washes, wintering and migrant birds were seen at Holme Fen, Crowtree (Farcet Fen), Thurlby Slipe, Deeping High Bank, Wittering, Eye, Mason's Bridge, Orton BP, Baston Fen and Sawtry.

1998

Rare winter visitor.
One was at Woodwalton Fen NNR on 25 Oct (CBR).
Nene Washes: Not seen from Jan-Mar. One was present from 16-29 Apr, mainly on the north side of the reserve. Singles were present on 15 Sep and through October, then up to three were between Eldernell and Ring's End from early November, rising to nine at the month's end and six through December.