Winter brings hard times for any bird of prey to find food, and early December of 2008 saw an unusual struggle ensue between a Barn Owl and a Buzzard. The Buzzard, usually known to prey on rabbits was witnessed swooping down and catching hold of a Barn Owl. The Owl caught out hunting during daylight (probably also due to the lack of food) was carried up into the air and then unceremoniously dropped. Then rescued from the return of the Buzzard, the owl was brought in to the wildlife hospital, here at the World Owl Trust.

There have been reports of Buzzards attacking owls before and indeed attacks on Barn Owls by raptors can occur. Kestrels can often attack when trying to steel prey; however some reports of Buzzards attacking Barn Owls who are not carrying prey (just like in this instance) have occurred.

Initial examination of the bird revealed a puncture wound from the talons of the buzzard in the left side just under the wing. This was confirmed by the vet who found that the bird was haemorrhaging. It didn’t look good for the patient, weak, in shock and bleeding internally no one really expected it to survive the night. However survive it did and after a short stay at the vets, it was back to us for the beginning of its rehabilitation.

Being weak the owl showed no interest in food, so it was up to the staff here to force feed mice to the bird. Being in such a state we fully expected this to go on for a while, but yet again proving us wrong the owl was eating by itself after a couple of days. From then on in it went from strength to strength.

Having spent all Christmas in our hospital recovering, it was now a new year and we had what looked to us like a new owl on our hands. Feisty, lively and alert around the staff, just how a wild Barn Owl should act when approached by humans. The owl was deemed fit enough to take its chances and join what I have affectionately named the gang.

Over a period of time when weather and time of year restrict re-release we accumulate a number of different owl species who have been brought in injured or found wet and starving. We currently have a gang of seven Barn Owls all awaiting release and our buzzard surviving friend now makes eight.

When releasing Barn Owls it takes time and patience. The owls will be moved from the centre, initially to a soft release aviary which will be placed somewhere appropriate, either at the original site, or a newly chosen release site. There, a Barn Owl will be feed for a week or two before the aviary is eventually left open and the bird is free to leave. It will continue to be fed from that site for as long as it is still taking food and when it eventually finds sufficient hunting for itself the supplementary feeding is stopped and the owl is left to get on with it. With all 8 Barn Owls now fit for release in the next couple of months, watch this space to see how they get on!

Hilary Lange

World Owl Trust Registered Charity Number: 1107529 Limited Company Number: 5296745

The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.