Original artwork description:

A portrait of fading species: Asio otus

The species breeds in many areas through Europe and the Palearctic, as well as in North America. This owl loves semi-open habitats, particularly woodland edge, as they prefer to roost and nest within dense stands of wood but prefer to hunt over open ground. Local numbers rise and fall, but some surveys and migration counts suggest that overall population in North America is declining, loss of habitat being part of the cause.
What can you do to help? Planting and conserving stands of conifers near open areas may be the best way to advance their conservation. It is also important to avoid disturbance of nesting sites as nests may be abandoned or predated as a consequence. And of course, advocate for land conservation.

Materials used:

oil on wood panel

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