Any Short-eared Owls at Highfield Moss are sporadic at best with only four out of the past eight years recording them, often for one or two days only. There are a couple of sites on the Chat Moss area too but as with Highfield, a random wander around is often necessary to flush them in order to see them and to be fair, that is to be avoided.
Barn Owl locations are of course generally not posted on here as often they coincide with (obvious) breeding locations. Unfortunately I haven't seen the one at the back on my house for a while now
In winter Robin, Highfield Moss near Wigan has had sightings of Short-eared Owl in the past. Might be worth a slog there on a calm winters evening. Tawny's in winter are fairly frequent around the far south of the county with my local pair along Shay Lane, Brooks Drive (Hale Barns) and Sid has a local pair near the Hale cemetery. I don't know about any winter Barn Owl sites though. Would like to see one myself in the county. Tell us how you get on! Henry.
Unfortunately Robin for many years there has been nowhere to guarantee seeing Short-eared Owls in the county. They occur occasionally but often at sensitive sites (private or practically dangerous to visit!), anything other than that will undoubtably be posted on the sightings forum as it occurs so keeping your eye out there remains your best option.
To see Short-eared Owls it's one of those rare occasions I'd advocate getting out of the county , the Dee Estuary remains the best location in the north-west.
One group of birds I've always struggled to see (as do most I presume) are the Owls. Is there anywhere around Manchester that is good to go spotting for them? I live in Salford, near the University, so the closer to there the better.
, the Dee Estuary remains the best location in the north-west.