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The Best Places in Europe for Owls
Long portrayed in folklore and mythology as the elegant keepers of the forest and holders of deep and magical wisdom, owls have held a special place in human hearts for centuries. Shrouded in mystery, they also represent an impressive feat of ecological engineering. With specially structured feathers allowing them to slice through the night without a whisper of sound, exceptional hearing and panoramic vision, they are the perfect balance of power and elegance; truly one of nature’s most majestic high-flying predators.
Europe boasts 13 species of owl across a fabulously diverse range of habitats and, although often a little elusive, our expert naturalist guides know the perfect places to find them. Join us on an enticing European tour in search of these mesmerising creatures (alongside, of course, a spectacular supporting cast of others!). Read on to hear more about a few of our favourite group tours…
Ural Owl
Blending vast, old-growth forests, rolling plains, picturesque river corridors and vibrant marshlands with towering, rugged mountain ranges, Poland offers a spectacular matrix of habitats. This is a superb destination for those with a keen interest in owls. Bialowieza Forest – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve and one of Europe’s last and largest remaining true primeval forests – is a particularly special haven for a glorious array of birdlife. During our ‘Poland’s Primeval Forests’ and ‘Poland in Spring’ group tours, we spend a good amount of time in this wonderful forest, home to such delights as the boreal Pygmy Owl (Europe’s smallest owl) and the enigmatic Tengmalm’s Owl. Both of these wonderful species breed in the area, and our tours coincide with this vibrant season, optimising our chances of seeing – and hearing – them.
Wandering quietly through these serene, ancient forests as the light fades holds an almost magical feel, and with chances of sighting such beautiful species gliding silently through the night, perhaps even hunting for their evening meal, your holiday will surely hold a special place in your memory for years to come.
A land of expansive, untouched forests, dramatic mountains and rolling tundra, Sweden supports an impressive array of owls, offering Naturetrek clients and staff alike countless enthralling sightings over the years.
Svartådalen’s lowland boreal forests are glorious in springtime, and our ‘Sweden in Spring’ and ‘Go Slow in Sweden’ tours are perfectly timed to take it all in. Here, owls are the stars of the show! Several pairs of Great Grey Owls have recently moved south into the region’s forests. Watching one of nature’s most impressive hunters as it glides over moonlit meadows, remarkably unconcerned by our presence, is mesmerising. Amongst the largest owls in the world, with wingspans up to an impressive 1.8 metres, Eurasian Eagle Owls, too, are known to breed in the area. At the other end of the scale, the endearing Pygmy Owl will also be on our radar. Although no larger than a Starling, we won’t let their size fool us: these are fearless hunters, and we will venture out at dusk with hopes of encountering these diminutive predators in action. Finally, join local ornithologists with hopes of ringing the season’s Ural and Tengmalm’s owlets; a true privilege for any enthusiastic naturalist. And if these treats weren’t enough, there will also be chances for Long-eared and Tawny Owls!
For those seeking an even broader exploration, our ‘Sweden’s Upland Birds’ tour takes in all this and more. After spending time with the owls of Svartådalen, venture to the wonderfully wild taiga forests, dramatic mountains and open tundra of Lapland. Here, Short-eared and Hawk Owls vie for our attention, feasting upon lemmings as they dart between jagged rocks.
Another Nordic gem, Finland is a bright star of the owling world, and our ‘Easter on the Arctic Circle’ tour visits two of the very best spots: Lapland’s ‘gateway regions’ of Oulu and Kuusamo. Vast Siberian taiga forests dotted with frozen lakes teem with abundant prey, supporting some truly special owls. Here, the breeding season is short, and we visit just as it bursts into frantic life. This makes for unbeatable chances of sighting (often very vocal) mating displays as we wander these exceptional ancient forests at dusk, still dusted with glittering snow, perhaps even to a backdrop of the dancing Aurora Borealis!
Owl diversity here is astounding. Although Great Grey Owls are often touted as the star target, these wild forests are also home to a whole host of other owls besides, including Ural, Tengmalm’s, Eagle and Pygmy. Hawk Owls can often be seen perched atop towering conifers, observing us intently with piercing golden eyes as respectful visitors to their home. Open landscapes around coastal regions may even yield glimpses of diurnal Snowy Owls. Mostly silent creatures, males find their voices in springtime, and with luck we may be treated to their booming mating calls drifting across snow-covered meadows.
Hungary – perhaps not the first country that springs to mind when contemplating owl-watching expeditions, but it’s certainly earned its spot on our list of favourites over the years. Our ‘Hungary’s Winter Birding Bonanza’ holiday offers chances of observing these mystical creatures at the latter end of the winter season, as the frozen landscapes slowly thaw.
Within hours of landing in Budapest, we will be treated to a truly special experience: a visit to one of Europe’s most impressive Long-eared Owl roosts. In 2023 it hosted over 500 individuals! Viewing such a colossal assemblage of these wonderfully distinctive owls, up close and in the light of day, is simply extraordinary, and we will spend good time here admiring their remarkable plumage.
The vast, ancient forests of Bükk National Park in the north of the country are also worthy of investigation. Here, prey slowly begins to emerge from the long, cold winter months, watched intently by hungry Ural and Eurasian Pygmy Owls. Our days will be spent enjoying the region’s outstanding assemblage of woodpeckers. However, as night falls, we will don warm coats and place our hopes firmly upon sighting these wonderful owls – both of which are early breeders – as they command the night.
The owls of the British Isles are just as special as those of our continental neighbours, and Scotland offers wonderful opportunities for a particularly sought-after species: the Short-eared Owl. Faces framed by intricate feather patterns and eyes glowing a vibrant yellow hue, this medium-sized owl truly embodies an air of fierce grace.
There is perhaps no more enthralling place to view these much-revered creatures than the wild and rugged islands of the Outer Hebrides, and our springtime ‘Wildlife of North & South Uist’ tour has a wonderful track record of sightings. The archipelagic landscape limits the number and range of predators, leading to good numbers of owls. Here, amongst an alluring array of wildlife, we will search remote, windswept moorlands, hoping for glimpses of Short-eared Owls. Although predominantly night-time hunters, they are also often seen actively scouring the land for prey (predominantly small mammals) during daylight hours, offering spectacular opportunities for photography for those lucky enough to be gifted such an encounter.
