Preston bird sanctuary’s advice about baby owls

Baby tawny owl — Turbary Woods is getting daily calls from people worried about baby owls

A Preston bird sanctuary is offering advice about baby owls after becoming inundated with requests for help.

Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary says the increase has come since the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to people exercising in more remote areas such as woodlands.

A spokesperson for the sanctuary said: “We are getting concerned calls from the public day and night about finding baby tawny owls.

“If anyone finds an owlet on the ground or on a low branch – similar in size to the one in the photo – they should not take it away from where it’s found.

“Instead, pop it back up on a high branch and walk away. Don’t worry about human scent on the bird. They do pretend to act dead if frightened, but if you walk away and check from a distance it should start moving.

“Young fledgling owlets are learning to fly at this age, and its parents will be nearby to feed it. They will be flying in a matter of days. If taken away and hand reared, even for a short time, it will be very difficult to get them to survive by themselves in the wild.”

If you find an owlet that seems injured, you can contact Turbary Woods to organise getting it to the sanctuary.

Have you come across any owlets while out walking? What about other wildlife? Let us know in the comments.