FOR the army of Forest of Dean twitchers its a real hoot being down on the shore of the Severn this week.

An influx of rare short-eared owls have invaded fields alongside the riverbank creating quite a stir in the world of bird watching. But those hoping to see them had better be quick as the birds are expected to leave soon for their home territory in northern Europe.

"It's usual to get reports of the odd one or two but exceptional to get more. There has been one sighting of a group of eight which is a pretty rare occurrence," said Gavin Black, of Lydbrook, an RSPB county committee member.

The roost of eight, reported on the Gloucestershire Birder website, was spotted by Lewis Thomson, also of Lydbrook. The birds had been disturbed by a high tide which flooded their roost and flushed them from long grass in a field at Aylburton Warth.

Mr Black said there had been a number of reports of over-wintering short-eared owls in the Severn estuary including a dozen near Cardiff.

The owls, he said, were not timid and were often approachable as they hunted during daylight hours, quartering over grassland in search of voles and offering good opportunities to photographers.

Mr Black said the owls would soon be returning to their stronghold in northern Europe, though pairs did breed in Scotland.

•Short-eared owls don't hoot. They are said to be the least vocal of all owls only making occasional rasping or barking calls.