Watch as RSPCA release barn owl rescued abandoned farmhouse

RSPCA officers have returned an owl to the wild, having found her trapped in an abandoned farmhouse in Lower Withington.

She is believed to have fallen down a chimney at the property which has stood empty for many years.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Benedict Marshall said: “The farmhouse is secure, even though it hasn’t been lived in for years, so I can’t think of any other way she could have got in, other than down the chimney, especially as we found material in the hearth which looked like it had been dislodged.”

The owl was found perched in a fireplace (Image: RSPCA)

The owl was spotted by walkers hitting an upstairs window as she flew around inside the building.

With help from the landowner and a local farmer, Benedict gained access to the property and found her perched in a fireplace.

An old bed sheet was used to catch the owl who was then taken to Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital in Knutsford.

After being examined, and found to have no injuries, she was released in the same location and flew straight to a neighbouring barn, where she had been sighted on previous occasions.

The inside of the farmhouse was also thoroughly checked for any signs of a nest but nothing was found.

It was the first barn owl rescue Benedict had carried out on his own after completing his training with the RSPCA in March.

He added: “We don’t know how long she’d been trapped inside and it was lucky she was seen at the window as it’s a fairly quiet area with not many people passing by.

“She was easy to catch and I checked her wings and legs for any immediate signs of injury before she was given a more thorough examination at Lower Moss.

“We’re really grateful for their help and expertise and for the assistance given by the landowner and local farmer to help us get into the property as quickly as possible.”