Owl's well that ends well!

Moss the snowy owl was today recovering from an ordeal in the wild – after surviving eight days without food when he was carried away by high winds. Moss was blown off course during a display at a falconry centre near Stourbridge.

Staff feared he was destined to die because he is unable to fend for himself. But the bird is back home at the Hagley Falconry Centre today none the worse for his adventures, much to the relief of staff. The four-year-old has also been reunited with his parents, Snowflake and Snowy, after being found in a garden in Alvechurch, near Redditch, on Sunday.

Police were called and immediately made contact with the centre, based behind Hurrans garden centre in the village.

A member of staff was sent to the address to confirm it was the missing Moss and bring the bird home.

Moss went missing after taking flight during a show on March 8, with concern growing quickly because of stong winds on the day.

Staff at the centre are now feeding Moss in a controlled manner to build him up after he went the full period in the wild without eating.

The owl was hand-reared at the centre and does not know how to hunt or fend for himself in the wild.

Centre spokesman Andy Plant said it was a relief to have Moss back safe and sound.

"He was very hungry when he got back to the centre but other than that was absolutely fine. Thankfully, he does not seem to have been hurt in anyway by his experience," he said.

"However, he is very muddy so at the moment he is not exactly a snowy owl."

Mr Plant said concern had been growing at the centre as the days had passed.

"We have all been really worried about him here at the centre. He does not know how to hunt for himself in the wild or how to fend off other birds to defend himself," he said.

"As the days go on the worry grows. The relief when the phone call came in to say he had been found was enormous and it is absolutely great to have him back.

"Moss has been at the centre all of his life and we certainly do not want to lose him. We are all glad he has come home safe and well."

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said they had been contacted by a woman early on Sunday reporting the owl in her back garden.