They may look cute, but baby tawny owls should not be picked up, even if they look as if they need a helping hand.
That was the warning yesterday from the owners of a bird sanctuary in Cornwall who have urged walkers to leave the baby birds alone.
A recent surge in tawny owl hatchings, delayed by the cold start to the year, has meant an increase in the number of chick sightings.
The baby owls are often spotted on their own on the ground with no adults in sight.
However, Carolyn Screech, who runs Screech Owl Sanctuary, has warned people not to touch the owls, which, although it may not look like it, are displaying normal behaviour.
She said the sanctuary has been sent five chicks in recent weeks, which people have mistakenly rescued, and that the same occurs every year.
"Baby tawny owls, long before they have learned to fly, but have very long talons, will climb up and down trees," said the owner of the St Columb sanctuary, near Newquay.
"As a person comes along they will curl in to a ball, close their wings, and go as little as they can.
"People will pick them up as they look injured, but it will be being looked after by its mum and they can climb up and down."
Every year the sanctuary is sent about 30 baby tawny owls which have been rescued despite typically not needing it.
The chicks are looked after for three or four months before being released into the wild.
"Quite often, if we can speak to people before they bring them in, they will reluctantly leave them alone and monitor the situation," added Carolyn. "They are still being looked after and quite often, if they are left alone, they will climb back up to their mum."
Screech Owl Sanctuary cares for between 300 and 400 sick birds a year.
