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Owl leaves a surprise featherprint

8/ 3/2006

A TAWNY owl made a real impression when it flew into a patio door - leaving behind a perfect imprint.

Wings out in full flight, the bird slammed into the glass at Ray and Nancy Pearce's home in Leicestershire in the middle of the night.

The couple slept on unawares, but then saw the imprint when they came downstairs the following morning.

An explosion of powder down, which is produced by birds' feathers, had left an almost-perfect portrait the culprit - right down to its eyes, beak and ears.

"It's incredible," said Mr Pearce. "The imprint really captured what the owl looks like.

"What I find fascinating is that it has stayed in place.

"We'll keep it until the window-cleaner comes - although I'll be sorry to lose it."

Mr Pearce, 75, took photographs and passed them on to the RSPB so that experts could identify the bird.

Michael Pinhorn, an RSPB wildlife advisor, confirmed: "By the shape of the face and large, rounded head, I would say it was a tawny owl."

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