One of the recent Short-eared Owls © Pete Saunders:
As regular visitors to the island will be aware, due to repeated instances of poor behaviour by birders and photographers - notably of the birds being deliberately flushed from their daytime roost sites - we've taken a conscious decision not to provide daily updates here or on Twitter of the presence or otherwise of wintering Short-eared Owls. These birds are about and we've got no desire to deprive responsible visitors of the opportunity to see them; however, if you are looking out for them please stick strictly to the footpaths or established dog-walking tracks - there's always going to be someone who feels he has to wander off into a private field but it really isn't necessary:
The birds are rarely seen before late afternoon but during the last hour or so of fine days they've often been showing nicely. The viewing of them has become a bit of a circus so don't be surprised if you have to fight your way through the long lenses to get a view:
