Rossi the eagle owl's Dundee adventure brought to an end
A rare bird that touched down in Dundee earlier this month is now resting at a specialist centre in Fife after being captured.
Rossie finding his bearings at Elite Falconry. Below: with Elite manager Roxanne Peggie.
- By Jonathan Watson
- Published in the Courier : 31.01.12
- Published online : 31.01.12 @ 10.37am
The male eagle owl, seen in areas across the city in recent weeks, is now at Elite Falconry in Cluny after it was finally captured at the weekend.
Described as being in good health, the raptor — being named Rossi — is said to be adjusting well to his new surroundings after becoming something of local celebrity in parts of Dundee.
The Courier received numerous messages from readers who had spotted the owl in and around the Kirkton area of the city, or had heard him hooting from high up in trees and buildings (link).
Roxanne Peggie, manager at Elite Falconry, said capturing the eagle owl was far from easy.
''It took four hours to capture him,'' she said. ''At first I was using a dead rat on the end of a line. It's meant to look like it's running and I wanted to see if the bird would chase it.
''He swooped down a few times but not close enough for us to trap him. He then flew up to the fourth storey of a block of flats and I had to ask a kind couple to let me in.
''They didn't even know he was there and were very surprised when they saw him at the window.''
Following his capture from the window sill, Rossi was then taken to Fife where staff at Elite Falconry have given him the once over and reported a clean bill of health.
Although said to be a little unhappy at being tethered, he is responding well to staff. It is thought he may have escaped from a previous owner or been abandoned.
However, with Elite not being a bird sanctuary, staff are trying to trace Rossi's owner.
''We will look to see if he is microchipped and if he is then the owner can be traced,'' added Roxanne. ''The bird's welfare is the primary aspect here. If nobody comes forward then we will look to give him a new home.''
The eagle owl is the largest member of the owl family with a 6ft wingspan and a body measuring up to 2ft 6in. Its size and strength give it the ability to kill birds as large as herons and animals as big as roe deer.
The species was thought to be absent from Britain up until 15 years ago when several pairs began to nest.
News of the capture has resulted in sadness from those who had seen it.
One Cardross Street resident said: ''The owl has been hanging around for a couple of weeks. It was pretty loud but I only saw it for the first time on Saturday.
''It was perched on the roof of a house and lots of people were trying to take pictures of it. The owl didn't seem bothered by any of the commotion.
''Then, on Sunday, people were out for hours trying to catch it. They had some sort of lure and a big net but weren't having much joy. I'm surprised they caught it. When it swooped down it moved pretty fast.''
Anybody who may have information regarding ownership of Rossi is asked to contact Elite Falconry on 01592 722143.
02.45pm - 31.01.2012 Sandy - CUPAR, United Kingdom Report This
Fife Animal Park has a pair of Eagle Owls
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