Knowledgebase

Nesting Short Eared Owls #923657

Asked January 15, 2026, 12:01 PM EST

I work as a biologist on several Wet Prairie easements in the Willamette Valley. We have been tracking winter roosts of Short-Eared Owls, but a USFWS partner of ours sent a picture of what we believe to be a Short-Eared Owl juvenile and a nest in 2018. As far as we know- there hasn't been a documented Short-eared Owl nest in the Willamette valley in almost 80 years. Would anybody in the Wildlife department have insight on this, or have a record of the last time there was a nesting pair of Short-Eared Owls in the Willamette? Thanks for your time, -Sol Ziegert

Linn County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your submission. I consulted with Dr. Douglas Robinson (OSU Dept of Fisheries and Wildlife faculty and also PI of the OR2020 project) and he said: 
"They nest in the Valley every few years. At Finley last year, at Corvallis airport a few times in the last decade. Probably at Diamond Hill Road but I’m not sure of confirmed nests or kids. They are present in June some years so probably nesting."
Thank you for sharing this very cool observation!
Dr. Dana Sanchez Replied January 15, 2026, 2:51 PM EST
Dr. Dana Sanchez,

Thanks for your timely response. Happy to hear they're nesting in the valley. I'll be sure to reach out to you or Douglas Robinson if we find a nest again this year!

Best,

-Sol
From: ask=<personal data hidden> on behalf of Ask Extension
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2026 11:51 AM
To: Solomon Ziegert
Subject: Re: Nesting Short Eared Owls (#0193573)
 
The Question Asker Replied January 15, 2026, 4:00 PM EST

Loading ...