LITTLE OWL

These tiny owls seem to be particularly prone to leg injuries – especially when young. This could be the result of their favourite hunting technique which consists of dropping feet first on to their prey from a convenient perch. If the perch is high and the ground is hard, their legs can’t take the impact.

They also suffer a high proportion of eye injuries. This is often the result of glancing blows from cars which cause them to hit the ground and scratch their corneas.

The Trust has recently cared for 81 little owls and has been able to release 41 of them.