Tawny owls keep cosy in a Suffolk farmhouse in Rattlesden

TWO tawny owls have gone to desperate lengths to find shelter from the freezing cold by diving down the flue of a wood burning stove.

To send a link to this page to a friend, simply enter their email address below.

The message will include the name and email address you gave us when you signed up.

Email address

  Send link

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

Beverley and Kenneth Parker returned to their farmhouse in Rattlesden, near Stowmarket, last Friday afternoon to discover a couple of tawny owls were resting in their stove.

Mrs Parker, 54, 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.”

The RSPB had warned last weekend that Arctic winds could affect wildlife and advised people to put out a variety of food for garden birds including high calorie food like sunflower hearts and suet pellets.

Mr Parker, 56, said: “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.”

The RSPB is continuing to urge people provide food, water and shelter for birds despite the recent rise in temperatures.

Val Osborne, RSPB wildlife adviser 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.”