Tawny owl that got stuck in chimney in a Cornwall home

Firefighters from Penzance Community Fire were called on Wednesday evening to a property near near Land’s End where the owl had become stuck and was covered in soot.

The owl is checked over by Nick (Image: Paradise Park, Hayle)

They immediately called for the help of Nick Reynolds, director of Paradise Park, Hayle.

Mr Reynolds told the BBC the animal was covered in soot and had to be cleaned before he was released.

The poor owl was a bit worse for wear (Image: Paradise Park, Hayle)

"For me, it was a job I just felt I had to go to," he said.

"Getting the fire brigade to come out and help me was just superb, they did a great job."

Once he’d cleaned the poor bird up he released it back into the wild.

Posting on Facebook Penzance Fire Station said: “On Wednesday, Penzance Community Fire Station were able to assist in the safe retrieval of a tawny owl that had found itself stuck in a chimney.

“The expertise and knowledge from Nick at Paradise Park ensured the owl was released the same day after it's sooty experience.

“We'd encourage householders to keep chimneys swept, after all it may not just be Santa that you find stuck in your chimney!!

The owl was well and truly stuck (Image: Paradise Park, Hayle)

In 2015, tawny owls were placed on the RSPB's amber list as one of many birds whose population is in decline.

Posting on its Facebook page Paradise Park said: “Yesterday a call came in about an owl that had got stuck down a chimney in a property near Lands’ End.

Nick takes over the rescue (Image: Paradise Park, Hayle)

“Director Nick and the Fire Brigade attended the scene and were able to safely remove the Tawny owl from the chimney. After a little TLC from Nick to clean and check it had no injuries, Nick released the owl close by.”