Yes, we are talking two owls, not the usual three!

These were from two different rescues needing onward care, and as I was travelling up to our two reserves at Wigton near Carlisle today, I had offered to take them with me to receive ongoing care and rehabilitation at the hospitals there - ably managed by our colleagues at Knoxwood Wildlife Rescue.

The Little Owl you see pictured had been found in a barn unable to fly, and was admitted to Meltham Wildlife Rescue in West Yorkshire where he had improved rapidly, but still not at a stage where fit to return to the wild. In the wild they often live in dry stone walls and disused rabbit burrows - he seemed very happy with the house I had built for him!

The other was a Tawny Owl, found in a very disheveled state and all tangled up in netting. This owl also had a foot condition (similar to bumblefoot) which left it unable to grip either perch or prey, and whilst the sanctuary it came from had persevered and got it self-feeding, it still has quite some way to go, and may need an operation on that foot.

Many thanks to Knoxwood for taking these two into their care, and we wish them all the best for their futures.

Nigel