The RSPB warned of Arctic winds affecting wildlife at the weekend as this pair of tawny owls took desperate measures to keep warm.
Beverley and Kenneth Parker came in from the cold on Friday afternoon to discover two tawny owls cosied up in their wood burning stove.
Beverley said; “Having just returned from a trip away, I couldn’t remember there being any unburned logs in the fire. It took a few moments to realise they were tawny owls. It was very surreal to see them in there.”
Kenneth added; “Thankfully the stove was out at the time. After closing all the curtains, we opened all the doors, then the stove door. The two owls flew round the room before going through the front porch and outside.
“They were seen about an hour later perched on the nearby barn.”
We're hoping for more happy endings in the last few weeks of winter as they urge people to continue to provide food, water and shelter for birds.
RSPB wildlife adviser Val Osborne said: “This ‘blow-in’ is a great reminder that birds need our help during cold weather, though perhaps these tawny owls were a bit too keen!
“The ups and downs in temperatures are confusing for wildlife and though its getting milder this week, we might not be through the worst of it yet. With the breeding season just around the corner, it is important for birds to be on top form to breed.”
There may not be much we can do to help tawny owls but we recommend putting out a variety of food for garden birds including high calorie food like sunflower hearts and suet pellets alongside kitchen scraps like cut up fruit and cooked potatoes.
Water and shelter are also vital so make sure you have a fresh supply of water to accompany the food.
If you have a nest box to put up, this can provide shelter in the cold as well as a nesting site as the breeding season begins.
