The Year of the Tawny Owl

Rescue - 13/04/2026
Rehabilitation - 13/04/2026
Release - Pending

Rescue

In all our years at WAF, we have never seen so many tawny owls. This year, we reached a record-breaking number of tawny owls, with a huge figure of fourteen orphans (not including adult tawnies).

The patients continuously piled in, each tiny owlet orphaned, cold and hungry. Our fantastic team were swept off their feet, providing round-the-clock care to help these owlets grow strong enough to return to the wild.

tawny owl

Rehabilitation

The owlets were originally paired into groups. To thrive, youngsters benefit hugely from companionship of their own kind, to encourage natural, wild behaviours and prevent them from becoming too familiar with humans.

Each group of owlets were filled with many personalities that were impossible not to love. They were cheeky, curious and adorable. It’s safe to say, these tawnies definitely stole the hearts of everyone here at WAF.

tawny owls

After a while, the owlets grew into fledglings and with this, came a requirement for more space to stretch their wings. Our team decided to assemble each group together and move them to our small flight enclosure. This is a vast, tall enclosure that gave the owlets a chance to practice their flying skills, an important step towards release.

After the move, all fourteen tawnies were grouped together, a magnificent sight to see. Here, they could learn skills and behaviours from one another.

tawny owls

The owlets are nearly ready for soft release, and many of them have already headed there. Thanks to our dedicated team, these tawnies were given a second chance to become wise old owls. However, we wouldn’t be able to do this without support from you. Please, consider adopting an owl today to give more owlets a second chance at life.

Adopt an owl

Click the adoption button below and become an owl adopter today.

You can also currently watch the owls LIVE by clicking below.

Watch the owlets LIVE

Click below to see what they’re getting up to in real-time.

We need your help

Any help you give can make a huge difference and keep us saving wildlife.

When you donate you help towards the costs of looking after all the animals here at the hospital.

When you adopt an animal you help towards the costs of looking after all the animals of your chosen species here at the hospital.

How your donation could help

£10

donation

Could provide medicine for a sick animal

£25

donation

Could provide worming treatment for hedgehogs and other small mammals

£50

donation

Could help rear an orphaned hedgehog

£100

donation

Could help us treat and care for an injured badger