Short-eared Owl

I was at Tacumschin in south Wexford late this afternoon and below the High Car Park this Short-eared Owl put on a great display. He was hunting in the low evening sunshine and was not one bit shy as you can see from some of the shots I obtained of this beautiful owl.

 

 Short-eared Owl at Tacumshin John N Murphy

Short-eared Owl

This winter Short-eared Owls seem to be fairly plentiful.  This bird at an undisclosed site in West Limerick has been present for over a month now.  Today in the fine sunshine, I observed this bird hunting through bog grasses and along the verge of a spruce plantation. She took two Bank Voles and dropped down into long grass to devour them, away from marauding Hooded Crows. 

Short-eared Owl with Bank Vole in its tallons © John N Murphy

Short-eared Owl

This short-eared Owl arrived in off the sea this morning close to Loop Head Lighthouse where it rested for a short period before flying off inland.

Short-eared Owl at Loop Head © John N Murphy