Trent Meadows, Sawley Marina, Leicestershire - 25th February 2007.

During the early January a small number of Short-eared Owls have regularly been seen around the Trent Meadows area of Sawley Marina, Leicestershire. Up to 5 birds have been present. The Owls showed well as they were day roosting in a ditch and later in the afternoon, hunting over the nearby fields.

Note the small “Ear Tufts” and bright yellow eyes which help to distinguish the species from Long-eared Owl.

Not at all easy to digiscope, as the bird was perched low down in amongst grass and twigs in the ditch. The trick was to try and get the camera to focus on the bird, rather than on the grass and twigs, very frustrating, especially at several hundred yards range.