Long Eared Owl - a difficult bird.
14th May 2026
Long Eared Owls are difficult to see in the UK, especially in the Brecon Beacons where a birder will go years, perhaps decades without seeing one. This is because they are quite nocturnal in their habits and they also like to roost, usually in dense cover by day, and in addition to this they are not particularly numerous.
On the island of Lesvos, they are still not easily seen by any imagination, but they can be found at roost with a bit of effort. This will usually be in towns and villages in conifer and particularly eucalyptus trees. It is also surprising how low down they can be found at roost, as little as ten feet off the ground.
Having said this, they can still be quite unobtrusive, preferring to have some foliage in front of them as cover. However, now and then they can be found out in the open and this is always a welcome bonus.
On the island of Lesvos, they are still not easily seen by any imagination, but they can be found at roost with a bit of effort. This will usually be in towns and villages in conifer and particularly eucalyptus trees. It is also surprising how low down they can be found at roost, as little as ten feet off the ground.
Having said this, they can still be quite unobtrusive, preferring to have some foliage in front of them as cover. However, now and then they can be found out in the open and this is always a welcome bonus.