Searching For The UK's Rarest Owl

In this video I'm going in search of the UK's rarest owl, the Long-Eared Owl. With just a few thousand breeding pairs this elusive bird can be tricky to find, so the importance of having a circle of photography friends came into play in the creation of this film!
I was told of a location where it may be possible to see and hopefully photograph the Long-Eared Owl. Armed with my trusty Z9 and a thermal scope to help spot them I headed into the woods. Join me as I try to find one of the UK's most beautiful birds of prey.
ABOUT MY CHANNEL
Hi, I'm Simon Eardley. Welcome to my channel!
Wildlife photography doesn't have to be complicated. Join me on my adventures as I try to capture the magic of nature in both photograph and video form. I'll share with you the tips and tricks I've learned along the way, helping you capture the best images possible.
I also review the newest and best wildlife photography equipment to help you get the perfect shot, every time. From cameras to lenses to tripods and more, I aim to find the best gear for your needs that won't break the bank.
Subscribe now and start taking your wildlife photography to the next level!
Check out my channel here:
/ @simoneardley
Check out my online shop for wildlife photography and bushcraft accessories -
www.etsy.com/u...
Exclusive Tragopan Discount Code
tragopan-shop.... - TragoSimon5
MY SETUP / GEAR
CAMERA GEAR
Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera. amzn.to/3J73fTG
Nikon 500mm F4 AF-S ED VR G
Ifootage TC9 Fastbowl Tripod amzn.to/3ZMDeip
Manfrotto 502 AH Video Head. amzn.to/3XIyMiI
Viltrox 13mm f1.4 STM Nikon Z Mount amzn.to/42hxluQ
Mindshift Backlight 36L Camera Backpack amzn.to/3QSxtvv
Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Thermal Scope amzn.to/44W4e0L
VLOGGING SETUP
Ulanzi and Coman Zero Y Travel Tripod amzn.to/3I3oEeY
Nikon Z30 + 16-50mm DX VR Kit amzn.to/3Thk41c
DJI Osmo Action amzn.to/3s94yrk
HollyLand Lark 150 Wireless Mic set amzn.to/3ksfmAd
Smatree Selfie Stick Tripod amzn.to/3Th23ix
Olight Perun 2 Headtorch. amzn.to/3JjlqDR
Joby Gorillapod amzn.to/3CLHN1H
Neewer LED lights amzn.to/3gsN5aY
Ulanzi 6W LED light amzn.to/3SiQ7eM
Imuto Powerbank amzn.to/3MQlVHa
DJI Mavic Mini 3 Drone amzn.to/3CNS1ys
CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Fjallraven Singi Gaiters amzn.to/3XNXHll
Meindl Dovre Extreme GTX Boots. amzn.to/3D67JGh
Sealskinz Waterproof Socks. amzn.to/3ZWbjg2
Leatherman amzn.to/3D3PxNx
Deerhunter Sneaky 3D Suit amzn.to/3HmAq4c
Deerhunter gloves amzn.to/3Ws2Qy3
Camo Scrim Scarf amzn.to/3iUQFfr
Foldable Solar charger amzn.to/3iUQFfr
Fjallraven Seat Pad amzn.to/3iUQFfr
Stanley Flask 1.0 L amzn.to/3HmALnu
Stanley Flask 1.9L. amzn.to/3Hj3oSy
Stanley Travel Cup. amzn.to/3ZUlOjA
Swiss Army Knife amzn.to/3wn3Zwm
Thermarest Prolite (Regular) amzn.to/3WxB1Eu
GET IN TOUCH
Email - [e-mail]
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Get updates or reach out through social media!
Instagram: / simoneardleyphotography

[@chrismartin7594]

Nice to meet you and chat with you on Sunday at the bird fair. Emily said, "You look younger in person lol .

[@simoneardley]

I like Emily!!! 🤣🤣 Good to meet you too Chris. Thanks for watching 👊🏼

[@michaelwallwork7482]

What a bird! Some lovely photos and video footage👍. Lovely moment with the young lad, good one Simon. 👏

[@simoneardley]

Yeh thanks, aye it made my weekend 😃👌🏼

[@ianmangham4570]

Owls 🦉 are just so AWESOME 👌 🇬🇧

[@simoneardley]

Youre right there Ian 👍🏼

[@AWilderLife]

Cracking video Simon, really enjoyed this! We haven't managed to see a LEO before, it's still very much top of our list for this year! Keep up the great work 😀

[@simoneardley]

Thanks Ladies, theyre a beautiful species. Cant decide which I prefer, the Barn Owl or the LEO ?? Good luck with the search and thanks for watching 😃👀

[@chriswynne505]

Great video Simon as usual 👏👏

[@simoneardley]

Thanks Chris 👍

[@rachtodd]

Aww Otis’s art work .. such a talented lil chap 👏🏽👏🏽

[@WildlifePhotographerUK]

another great video with some stunning images there Simon, such an amazing beautiful bird that's for sure. 👍

[@simoneardley]

Many thanks, beautiful arent they!!👍🏼👌🏼

[@wildphil]

Superb! Lovely photoage and stills! ❤

[@simoneardley]

Thanks Phil👍🏼

[@adrianmoore4690]

great video and great shots

[@simoneardley]

Thankyou Adrian 👍

[@tonyw3250]

Some amazing photography and dedication

[@colinhuon5908]

Thank's Simon. Love your channel. Some superb footage and stills in this video.

[@waynearchibald3920]

Nice video Simon!

[@simoneardley]

Cheers Wayne

[@barrycurwen6949]

Excellent video and images captured with great fieldcraft, well done Simon. Thank you for sharing this great experience.

[@simoneardley]

Cheers Barry, it was a great experience 👍🏼📷

[@ymickb]

Simon this was class great set of images and video nice one cheers for sharing

[@sophielouiserugby7]

really amazing!!

[@simoneardley]

Thanks a lot Sophie 😃

[@ggwildlife]

The owl footage was outstanding thank you for sharing.

[@simoneardley]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks 😊

[@geordiegraham6117]

Wow what an amazing bird, great video. Finally got to use your beanbag birthday present at my local RSPB hide and it is ideal and being a wheelchair user it makes carrying around the big lens and camera very stable on my lap . Take care mate Graham

[@photographic_nomad]

Another beauty mate 💯 Absolute stunning owl

[@cidron3843]

Great video! The owls are incredible.

[@killywoo1]

Hello Si, are they as rare as the Teet owl...!🦉😉🙂 Great footage Pal....👍

[@simoneardley]

Commonest one going I've heard!!🤣

[@eltwilliams1116]

Bless you Simon for the mention. Otis and I very touched. Made his day😁 Another cracking video. Now we be going out looking for the long eared owl. Only managed to see it once. That scope be a big help for sure. All the best elt and family 👍

[@simoneardley]

Nice one Elt, he's a credit to you. It made my weekend. All the best with the search!!🦉👍😊

[@eltwilliams1116]

@@simoneardley thanks. Glad to hear made your wk end like ours Share the love. Spread the joy 😀

[@elainepersons9662]

Beautiful work.....I love all of your content.

[@leemanton3169]

Another amazing vlog Simon and some great shots. The thermal imaging cameras are amazing I borrowed one from a friend once for spotting badgers.

[@simoneardley]

I need to buy one Lee, a great aid for finding stuff👀👀👌

[@leemanton3169]

@@simoneardley definitely

[@brianchandler1365]

I found a rare one in our kitchen recently, the teat owl..no photos unfortunately 😂

[@prawnyowl8909]

Amazing. What kind of thermal scope do you use? Cannot seem to find it in the desc.

[@simoneardley]

Thanks its a Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro Thermal Imaging Scope

[@rschellie]

I have only seen a Long-eared owl once for about 5 seconds, then it disappeared into the brush. It happened too fast I didn't even get a photo.

[@Revelationscreation]

Not the UK's rarest owl, short eared owl has less breeding pairs and is our actual rarest native owl. With the eurasian eagle owl being our actual rarest owl, with only a few breeding pairs (not native, accidentally introduced).

[@simoneardley]

I'll have to make a new film!!🤣🤣

[@jasonhiggins6431]

Eagle owl 🦉 rarest but difficult to find /photograph

[@polythenewrappedme6102]

I have never seen a Long Eared Owl, except for a fleeting view at night, in south-western Ireland, that may have been one. I have only been birding for 58 years, so I am a novice !

[@simoneardley]

Haha, theres plenty of time yet!! Keep at it 👀👍🏼🤣

[@UKSTAGROSCO]

Fabulous owls 🦉 and great filming I recently filmed the shorty

[@owenparker4120]

Absolutely fantastic Simon. I have photographed Short Eared Owls on a few occasions now but never had the chance to photograph the Long Eared Owl. What a stunning bird it is. Thanks again for a great video 👍👍

[@simoneardley]

Thanks Owen, those orange eyes are something else arent they!!👀🦉👌🏼

[@stephenholmes1735]

Class I’m off Burnley in the morning for Leo

[@simoneardley]

Good luck Stephen, dont get killed in the scrum!!

[@Andyhelliwellphotography]

theres only one rare owl and thers one in every kitchen ! a teatowl

[@simoneardley]

If I had a pound!!!!!!😆

[@RichardBirchett]

Just catching up on the vlogs mate! All I can say is Top work, nice the birds welfare was there and the shots were outstanding. Well done, bit jealous as I've still never seen one, lol.. Cheers Rich 👍

[@simoneardley]

Thanks Rich, theyre a stunning bird!! I'm sure I'll be just as jealous when youre photographing Great Greys and Snowy Owls over there!!😅

[@RichardBirchett]

😀😀@@simoneardley

[@boblaird8475]

Absolutely superb video and photos.I hope you don't mind but I am trying to not copy but to do similar to what you do hopefully I might get almost as good as you

[@MarcWoodford]

I appreciate that you may not want to share the exact location, but what part of the UK did you find them in?

[@katapodis_spyros]

Nice video, but I think that the intro volume is a little bit too high. At first it scared me!🤣

[@paulbaldwin2290]

Amazing video to watch a real credit to you 👏👏What a beautiful creature 👌keep up the brilliant work Simon! Lucky gloves 😂

[@simoneardley]

Cheers Paul, I'd be nowt without those gloves!!

[@Ericbjohnston5150]

Calmly waiting. Not. I can't wait.

[@simoneardley]

🤣🤣

[@marksimmons8162]

Shape, Shine, Shadow, Silhouette, Spacing, Sound & Speed (Not all applicable for wildlife photography but all applicable to save you getting killed in a dodgy place).

[@simoneardley]

Any advice to stop you getting killed in a dodgy place is good advice!!🤣🤣 Cheers Mark👍🏼

[@MrDAVEcrouchy]

Nice one Simon. I was there last night. Amazing spot sadly I didn't get any flight shots but that's the excuse to go back

[@simoneardley]

Nice one Dave, I'm sure you'll get em !!📷🤞🏼

[@jvas5871]

Brilliant Simon, thank you, very much enjoyed these images STUNNING!!!! the video as usual brilliant👍

[@simoneardley]

Thanks very much 👊🏼

[@colintraveller]

Dressed like a Sniper ..... from the hooligans .. I bet when someone finds you in that gear ...some will ask .. " What colour is the boathouse " On another note the plummage looks similar to the owl I photographed in the dark out my back garden a few weeks back

[@simoneardley]

Haha, if someone finds me Colin, I've not got enough camo on!!🤣🤣

[@27penmar]

Great vid, you did well to only get owls in your video with the amount of photographers that have been there!

[@simoneardley]

Thats why I had so much camo on, to hide from them!!🤣🤣👍🏼

[@nigelroberson8911]

Awesome work Simon with beautiful birds. Great to meet you at BF. My Tragopan gear arrived today with more in customs to come soon.

[@simoneardley]

Nice to meet you too Nigel, enjoy your Tragopan gear !!👍🏼

[@edwardrussell5413]

Always a good story and pics, good to see you at BF- dont change anything say/show it as it is :-) . Thx

[@simoneardley]

Cheers Edward, you too mate. Were changing nowt!!👌🏼👊🏼

[@BkiyhffuRtdfujv]

I am used to take the shoot of wildlife with my Kase landscape filters set, good for me to control the light outdoors.

[@stevecolwill9761]

Brilliant! Only ever seen one LEO, such amazing birds with those orange eyes. You’re right about the Pulsar kit, Simon, a real game changer (I have one…😁). All the best.

[@simoneardley]

Glad you enjoyed it Steve, yeh theyre an amazing piece of kit. Its amazing whats actually about you and you have no idea till you have a sweep with the scope👀👀👍🏼

[@oneandonlyjaybee]

I remember back in 2008 my brother in law was driving me down a country lane to a job interview. He suddenly slammed the brakes on and said 'look at that owl'. I looked around expecting it to be a barn or tawny as they were common around the farm. I was looking around the field expecting a fleeting glimpse of a flying owl over the fields, but then I suddenly saw a long eared owl sat proud on a fence post no more than 15 feet from my window. It's eyes burning in the early morning glow. Never seen one since. Fantastic bird

[@jamessnapsphotographylowes2236]

Awesome video as always Simon! Please can I ask what scope you were using and what it’s really useful for?

[@simoneardley]

Hi James, it was a Pulsar Helion 2 XP50. As you can see on the film, spotting wildlife thats ordinarily very difficult to spot with the human eye

[@aynsleycooper365]

Brilliant Simon, thank you, we very much enjoyed these images. Sorry to hear that Rutland was weatherbeaten, wish we'd been there anyway. J&A&B&T

[@simoneardley]

Not to worry, it was a busy event despite the weather. Thanks for watching guys 👊🏼👀

[@andywhiteside16]

Oh my word absolutely fantastic Simon the owl is on my wish list to see them in the wild but there's that much housing going up in Preston its pushing the wildlife away one day I will photograph one or two .

[@simoneardley]

Yeh youre right there Andy, one of the reasons were moving further afield!! Thanks for watching 👀👊🏼

[@sidensvans67]

Long Eared Owl . Lovely .

[@normanzjames]

Iff that's the simple camo outfit, I'd hate to see a more complex one😂 great video though!

[@simoneardley]

Cheers Norman 🤣🤣

[@GeoffCooper]

Great video and long-eared owl footage! Only ever seen one in the far distance so that's a species I'd love to catch up with one day.. Love the new (?) video into too, though I did think the transition from it to the next section was a bit abrupt.

[@simoneardley]

Thanks Geoff, theyre a stunning bird. Sorted the transition now, cheers !!

[@AdrianWilsonBridders1234]

Nice to meet you at Birdfair, even with the “ interesting” weather. I was the guy with the camo on

[@simoneardley]

Nice to meet you too Adrian, yeh it was interesting to say the least. Wellies next year!!!!😆

[@AdrianWilsonBridders1234]

@@simoneardley yes certainly and once I’ve had my knee fixed, I can get out more and get the hide I was looking at, Santa are you listening?

[@user-kk9cw]

Cracked vlog again Simon! Already looking forward to the next one. J

[@simoneardley]

Thanks again!

[@Harmonrok]

Stunning vids and cracking images. Look forward to the next one. :)

[@simoneardley]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏼

[@davidcannon2464]

Shape, shine, spacing ,shadow, silhouette, movement

[@simoneardley]

Cheers David, I was nearly there!! 😆

[@stephenthompson1998]

We had one that decide to roost in a quadrangle at our hospital in the 80’s.

[@ianmangham4570]

Amazing footage absolutely awesome 😮

[@simoneardley]

Thanks for visiting Ian 👍🏼

[@robshipman7242]

Stunning Simon. I was lucky while walking with camera two weeks ago thanks to some local dog walkers the told me there was at least one LEO in the location. After some waiting in a bush it come out at a good distance but I got some images in flight and on a post, wish I was closer but was happy not to disturb it , so hopefully it will return . Great to see your film and see them in all their glory thanks and keep up the good work and your information to help us all .

[@simoneardley]

Nice one Rob, yeh like you say always important to put the subject first and not to disturb them. Thanks for following the channel, Cheers, Si

[@CamillaI]

Great to get the Long-eared owl Simon. A couple of evenings well spent 😍

[@simoneardley]

Absolutely 👍🏼🦉🦉

[@sandrafawcett1648]

❤❤❤❤it was good video thanks for your video see you soon

[@simoneardley]

Thanks for watching Sandra👀

[@mervyngelsthorpe1451]

It was great to see you on Saturday at Rutland bird show

[@simoneardley]

Likewise, hope you got home dry!!!😆

[@malcolmfawell5938]

Fantastic. Having recently had my first encounter with this beautiful bird myself I was really surprised at how small they were. I always imagined them as being bigger. Keep up the good work. 😁👍

[@simoneardley]

Bet the field voles dont think theyre small !!🤣 Thanks for watching Malcolm

[@Quickscribbles]

Stunning work! Truly enjoy your videos!

[@simoneardley]

Thank you so much 😀

[@keithwilson7358]

Wow another top video well-done matey

[@simoneardley]

Thanks Keith 👍🏼

[@ianmangham4570]

Even got them flying at the end 😅amazing shots 😍

[@simoneardley]

Thanks Ian 👍🏼

[@gll1954]

which thermal scope do you use ?

[@simoneardley]

Pulsar Helion 2 XP50 Pro Thermal Imaging Scope

[@stsorsby]

Wonderful video,discovered your channel a few weeks ago (liked and subscribed)really enjoying watching your videos, thanks for sharing 👍

[@richard25894]

Ey up Si. Wow what a priviledged insight to our rarest owl. Absolutely breathtaking footage once again. Ay, I'll tell thee what is rare....decent wildlife calendars mate. Got to see ya smiling again. Take care.

[@johndoe-nh9sh]

Good work, that thermal scope is a great help. There are actually fewer breeding pairs of short-eareds than long-eareds, just long-eareds are more difficult to find (and survey) and far less obvious in their habits (often nocturnal, nest in woodland).

[@scooter5193]

Brilliant film! That was a pretty special moment with the young lad - good on you. The Long eared owl is a very difficult species to spot. I have thought of using a thermal camera but wasn’t sure how well they would work in twilight. Seems to work awesome from the footage. What was the unit you were using? The Long Eared owls that I have photographed (western Canada) have a much different eye colour than the orange eyes in your film. Slightly different species between the European and North American I assume. Thanks for Sharing.

[@laurencebell8024]

Absolutely stunning Simon love long eared owls lovely place Oakham got relatives that live I’m Exton a stunning part of the country keep them coming mate .

[@dcurleyifa]

Great video, and great to meet up at the Birdfair, Dee and myself really enjoyed your company.I will send you the measurements for the new knee pad/beanbag later 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Stevebradleywildlife]

Great video, I was there myself last week, but unfortunately too many photographers for my liking. Great editing to make them all disappear. Love the scope idea

[@garywebster8355]

Fantastic simon Fantastic.

[@simoneardley]

Cheers Gary.

[@knightryderbelow]

Loved it, fantastic video!

[@simoneardley]

Thanks so much!

[@steviebye1]

Superb as usual Simon 👌

[@simoneardley]

Glad you enjoyed it Stevie 👍🏼👊🏼

[@Rob.1340]

Fantastic, cheers Simon. Cracking film and images. All the best. 👍📷😎

[@Richardisonline]

Beautiful pictures.. love owl's and birds of prey.. absolutely love watching your wildlife videos as they are so enjoyable 😁

[@georgeshort4112]

One word. Stunning.

[@simoneardley]

Thanks George 👊🏼

[@raytaylor3090]

Amazing footage and shots Simon, that is a beautiful bird. Every video gives me the urge to get out more. Great to meet you at the show, by the way there was 10 hares in one field this week, I didn't know which one to follow. keep um coming.

[@littlemike50]

Brilliant work as always Simon, liked the stonechat, and the younguns checking each other out to see who could streach the most and having a good scratch and awesome stills Luvit. And love the fact you gave young Otis a shoutout, Well done, All the best as always...

[@picturafix]

Nice, so nice! Since two years I was searching to find some owls in my area. This year I managed to find one. It was a long eared one. I guess - we all who have seen them by ourselves, we had the same strong feeling! Nearly never been that satisfied and blown away. Thanks for sharing your long eared with us. Cheers from Hamburg

[@iandanielson5090]

Wow fantastic video the stills are absolutely fantastic Simon

[@bearnnature3291]

Fantastic, Keep up the good work.

[@wiseowlphotography7275]

Excellent video Simon (as usual), I've only managed distance captures of Long-eared Owl through dense hawthorne at RSPB Saltholme.

[@simoneardley]

Many thanks!👍🏼👊🏼

[@ianjackson1670]

Great video Simon the footage of the behaviour of the two young owls was amazing!!

[@pathogan4854]

Brilliant video Si fairplay to that young chap the world needs many more of him ! Beautiful imagery in this video the chicks are so "cute and cuddly "until you see those Talons at 11.27 ! Keep wearing those lucky gloves 😀

[@simoneardley]

Thanks Pat, yeh wouldnt like to be a vole on the wrong end of em!! ATB, Si

[@Gazzab6]

Awesome footage of the Long Eared Owls Simon. I am still yet to see one although I thought I did see one in flight some years ago in very low light but as I wasn’t 100% sure, I didn’t count it. There is a person in my online photography group who photographs them near his home and I’ve got a feeling this is probably the location. I bet you were on a high after this experience.

[@simoneardley]

Cheers Gazza, yeh theyre a stunning bird. Not much between them and the Shorties when you see them in flight.👍

[@clydedigital]

Amazing. Great results well deserved.

[@kontrolla1]

Excellent video Simon. It was great to meet you at the Birdfair. I ordered the Lagopus and it has arrived already. Very happy with the quality. Just to need to get out and use it now 😊

[@simoneardley]

Nice to meet you too, you'll love the Lagopus!! Good luck with it 📷👀👌

[@jamesarnold570]

Great video Simon , I love watching your videos , when I was a wedding photographer I used to watch videos of a photographer I admired to motivate me before I went to photograph the wedding . Now I photograph wildlife your videos do the same , so thank you . They are a bird I have only ever seen once aswell so lovely to see your footage

[@simoneardley]

Nice to hear comments like these. Makes it worthwhile, keep at it James 👍🏼📷

[@stans6582]

Always good stuff Simon............thanks for taking the time ...............and thanks for sharing

[@simoneardley]

Youre welcome Stan 👍🏼

[@phil23go]

Fantastic video once again, what a treat getting those shots ❤

[@Trish12303]

Beautiful images and video! Thanks so much for taking us along!!

[@simoneardley]

Glad you enjoyed it Trish😃👍🏼

[@joshuadavid6562]

Absolutely incredible footage, you must be thrilled!

[@simoneardley]

Cheers Joshua, yes a great encounter!!👍🏼🎥

[@gladysklip268]

Hi Simon, Absolutely awesome video, the owls are gorgeous!! Those two on the branch were adorable. The flight shots are amazing. Cheers Simon for showing us some lovely owls!

[@simoneardley]

Glad you enjoyed it Gladys, they put on a great little show those two youngsters👌🏼🦉