Project

SHORT-EARED OWLS

The Western Asio Flammeus Landscape Study (WAfLS) was a citizen science project designed to gather information to better evaluate the population status of this species. This information is used by conservation practitioners to design management actions that will reverse the Short-eared Owl population declines.

State Coordinators

Listed are contacts for state coordinators involved in the WAflS project.

Status and Monitoring of Short-eared Owls

The breeding range of the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) in North America includes all 13 Canadian provinces and territories, and approximately 25 states in the United States. PDF Available.

Short-eared Owl 2020 Annual Report

The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is an open-country species that breeds in the northern United States and Canada and has likely experienced a long-term, range-wide population decline.

Short-eared Owl 2019 Annual Report

Our results demonstrate the feasibility, efficiency, and effectiveness of utilizing public participation in scientific research (i.e., community scientists) to achieve a robust sampling methodology across the broad geography of the western United States. Publication and webinar available.

Short-eared Owl 2018 Annual Report

In 2018 the WAfLS project expanded to eight western states. Throughout those states, a large group of volunteers sampled a broad geography. The abundance estimates and habitat associations results from this effort provides critical insight to land managers across the western United States to influence species-specific general conservation actions.

Short-eared Owl 2017 Annual Report

In 2017 a large group of volunteers sampled a broad geography within the Intermountain West. The abundance estimates and habitat associations results from this effort provides critical insight to land managers across the Intermountain West to influence species-specific general conservation actions. CLICK HERE TO VIEW PDF.

Short-eared Owl 2016 Annual Report

In 2016 a large group of volunteers was recruited to sample a broad geography within the Intermountain West. This report presents results that identify specific habitat associations, confirming that habitat use may vary regionally. CLICK HERE TO VIEW PDF.

Short-eared Owl Surveys paper

This paper, published in Avian conservtion and Ecology, presents results from Short-eared Owl surveys conducted by citizen scientists. CLiCK HERE TO VIEW PDF.