Polly Atkin on the Short-Eared Owl
Writer Polly Atkin observes the wintering of short-eared owls in Cumbria.
An episode of the Tweet of the Day podcast, hosted by BBC Radio 4, titled "Polly Atkin on the Short-Eared Owl" was published on December 28, 2025 and runs 1 minutes.
December 28, 2025 ·1m · Tweet of the Day
Summary
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)
Episode Description
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)