The Short-Eared owl hunts at dawn and during the day, making it the most likely of the owls to be seen during daylight. It alternates between owl-like flapping flight and soaring and gliding like a Harrier. Its wings are long, and have a black patch at the elbow on both top and bottom. This is a very common owl, seen often in Beyond and across Europe. The Tawny Owl is nocturnal, but roosts on tree branches during the day, and is often mobbed by small birds while sleeping.
Coloring varies from browns to greys, but never has the white face of the barn owl.
This photo shows one in the grey phase and one in the brown phase.