Bold headline-worthy moment: two tawny owls rescued after tumbling into a Surrey home chimney, now thriving back in the wild.
Image source: Wildlife Aid
By Nathan Bevan
South East
Two young tawny owls have been rehabilitated and released back into the wild after an accident involving a chimney in a Surrey house.
The remarkable rescue unfolded in late January when the homeowners woke to a startling sight: one owl perched on their chandelier and the other trapped in a curtain. Wildlife Aid, the Leatherhead-based animal charity, noted that both birds sustained minor injuries and likely mistook the chimney for a hollow tree while trying to seek shelter.
Describing the incident as “one of our most unexpected rescues,” a Wildlife Aid spokesperson explained that the two birds—one male and one female—made a full recovery and were released together the following month.
“This unusual situation came as a huge surprise to the people who discovered it,” the spokesperson added.
Details from the rescue show the male owl was hanging upside down from the curtain while the female sat atop the chandelier. Although the male could fly, the female was momentarily immobilized as her talons became entangled in fabric.
Remarkably, the male stayed by her side throughout the ordeal and did not leave her behind.
Both owls sustained injuries to their left eyes from the fall, with the female also having scratches on her beak.
Image source: Wildlife Aid
The pair were brought into Wildlife Aid’s care, kept together in an aviary, and monitored closely. After treatment for minor injuries, they recovered in just over a week.
In related context, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) notes that tawny owls are the most common owl species in the UK, yet their numbers declined by more than 40% between 1995 and 2023. The tawny owl currently sits on the amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern.
“Because these owls are nocturnal, they’re challenging to study, and scientists still aren’t certain why their numbers are dipping,” said an RSPB spokesperson. “But habitat loss and a shortage of prey are likely contributing factors.”
Would you like to discuss whether urban habitats, like chimneys and buildings, can unexpectedly threaten wildlife or might instead offer new opportunities for adaptation? Share your thoughts in the comments.
