Rare winter and spring visitor.

Mr Marlborough H Pryor stated in 1900 that he had seen as many as thirty Short-eared Owls in a plantation north of Stevenage. Although this record is debatable, it is known that the numbers of Short-eared Owls varies dramatically with fluctuations in Vole populations, the Field Vole (Microtus agrestis) being their main food source. In the nineteenth century there were periodical “Vole plagues” in Britain, causing damage to young plantations. At such times Short-eared Owls flocked to the infected districts, it is not known whether Mr Pryor was referring to such a “Vole year”. Mr Pryor also claimed that one or two had been known to stay throughout the summer. Crossman (1902) described them as winter visitors appearing some years in considerable numbers. He also stated that they were, “often flushed out of turnips and rough grass in October and November.” Foster (1914) recorded that Short-eared Owls were, “frequently put up from cover by sportsmen whilst Partridge shooting.”

Other records; one on 1 December 1978, one at Norton Green on 17 April and 3 June 1984, one near Stevenage on 19 April 1986, one at Norton Green on 5 April 1995 and, one at Norton Green Tip on 2 April 2017.