Research on the Short-eared Owl population of Malta

Description

The main objective of this project is to research the Short-eared Owl's population, an annex 1 species, that migrates through, winters and occasionally also breeds in Malta. Understanding how such sensitive, nocturnal predators make use of the archipelago for hunting, resting and breeding is important to better protect important areas from various pressures. Different aspects of the owls’ ecology will be studied, including: estimation and monitoring of the migratory and wintering population size through observation and scientific bird ringing, the use of different habitats and micro-habitats for hunting and roosting throughout seasons via the use of gps-tracking devices which will also reveal migration routes beyond Malta, wintering and breeding behaviour via the use of sound recording devices and trap cameras and diet studies via pellet collection and analysis. The first year of this project (Apr 2024 - Apr 2025) was funded by the Conservation of Wild Birds funding scheme 2023, administered by WBRU.