Tawny owl in accidental 10-mile roof rack trip

A tawny owl is ‘lucky to be alive’ after flying into the path of a car and getting its head stuck in the roof rack of the vehicle on Thursday. The one-year-old became stuck in the car travelling ten miles from Sutton Coldfield to Dordon in North Warwicksire where it was later discovered and taken to Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary .



The driver did not realise the owl was in the roof rack until stopping at the Birch Coppice Industrial Estate. Geoff Grewcock, owner of the sanctuary, said: “The owl has been flying pretty low and he's gone into the railings of the vehicle. He is doing well which is remarkable. He is very lucky and it’s a wonder how he didn’t break his neck, he must have hung on for dear life with his talons.



“It's pretty common behaviour for these birds. Tawny owls are known for it - they fly into anything. They are so awkward.” He added: “He is suffering from concussion - that's why his eyes are closing, but thankfully will be fine. He is only a young owl as well, just over one-years-old and owls generally live on average just over ten years.”



The owl is now being given time to rest before being released in the next few days. Geoff added: “He turned up at Birch Business Park at about 12.30m and we got down there at 1pm and put him in a cardboard box and took him back to the sanctuary. We have kept him quiet and put some fluids down him. We will leave him for a few hours to rest and then give him some food. In the next 48 hours, it will be released into the wild.”