Short-eared owls are a winter visitor in the region. This short-eared owl, photographed by Tajinder Singh of Sylvania, was seen among the grasslands on Wildlife Drive at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.
They are medium-sized owls with small ear tufts on the top of their head. They have round facial discs and appear big-headed and neck-less in flight. The owls are often seen in the late afternoon and at dawn or dusk. Short-eared owls eat primarily small mammals or birds.
To learn more about Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, visit friendsofottawanwr.org. The Wildlife Drive is scheduled to be open February 19-20 from sunrise to one hour before sunset. The refuge also features more than 10 miles of hiking trails, open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
