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Polly Atkin on the Short-Eared Owl

Tweet of the Day is a series of fascinating stories about birds inspired by their calls, songs and behaviour.

The poet and non-fiction writer Polly Atkin observes the wintering of short-eared owls in Cumbria. They are the UK's most nomadic owl, with residents joined by migrants from Scandinavia, Iceland and Russia, seeking a gentler version of the season. Fellow owl-lovers have told Polly of the moment they arrive exhausted at the coast, and she has watched a pair nest in a building site near the sea, concerned how they would survive.

Polly Atkin is the author of The Company of Owls (Elliott & Thompson).

Presented by Polly Atkin and produced by Sophie Anton for BBC Audio Production in Bristol.

This programme features recordings from Xeno-Canto by Lars Edenius (XC731000 and XC731272 - Short-eared owl)

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1 minute

Last on

Sun 28 Dec 202508:58
BBC Radio 4

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  • Sun 28 Dec 202508:58
    BBC Radio 4

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