Owl rescued after flying 180 miles to North Sea oil rig

Published: 16 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A short-eared owl has been successfully released back into the wild after being rescued from a North Sea oil rig, having been blown far off course by Storm Amy. The female owl, discovered on the Noble Patriot platform approximately 180 miles off Shetland, Scotland, was spotted last week by offshore worker Sam Crowe, who took immediate steps to ensure her survival.

Storm Amy brought violent weather conditions across the region, with wind gusts reaching up to 100mph and causing significant damage to coastal and inland areas. Experts believe the owl became disoriented during the storm, drifting far from her natural habitat and landing on the oil platform, likely exhausted and at risk of perishing.

Mr Crowe, speaking to BBC Scotland, explained how he managed to capture the bird safely: “I managed to get my hands on it. Knowing it wasn’t going to survive out here, I made it a little home in a box, and got it some raw chicken and some water.” He kept the owl fed and hydrated until arrangements could be made to transport her back to the mainland for proper care.

The Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary, based in Shetland, coordinated the owl’s transfer, collecting her via helicopter after being informed that the bird had arrived in a “state of exhaustion.” The sanctuary described the short-eared owl as a “majestic bird” and quickly conducted a health assessment, finding her underweight but otherwise in reasonable condition.

Ornithologist Phil Harris oversaw the bird’s recovery at the sanctuary, ensuring she received the necessary nutrition, including mice and chicks, to regain strength before being released. Harris noted: “What a treat for everyone who came into contact with this beautiful creature. Many thanks to everyone involved in this rescue operation.”

According to Harris, short-eared owls are particularly vulnerable during long migratory journeys, especially when storms disrupt their flight paths. “She will have headed off on her first journey across the North Sea and hit the storm,” he said. “They become exhausted very quickly. They will see the lights, probably of an oil rig and even ships in the North Sea at night, and they will use them as rest areas.”

The sanctuary emphasised the bird’s fortunate circumstances, noting that the owl’s survival was aided by timely human intervention. Harris added: “She is a very lucky owl as she had been provided with food, which had given her a lucky escape.” Following her recovery, the owl was released back into her natural habitat, free to continue her migration across Scotland and beyond.

The rescue has been hailed as a remarkable example of human and wildlife cooperation, highlighting the dedication of offshore workers, wildlife sanctuaries, and experts who responded quickly to save a vulnerable species during severe weather conditions.

Storms like Amy pose an ongoing risk to migrating birds, particularly across open seas, where exhaustion, disorientation, and collisions with structures can be fatal. Experts advise that when stranded birds are discovered, trained personnel or wildlife sanctuaries should be contacted immediately to ensure proper care and recovery.

The story of the rescued owl has captured public attention, serving as a reminder of the resilience of wildlife and the importance of coordinated conservation efforts in extreme weather events. The successful release also demonstrates the value of vigilance and compassion in protecting animals displaced or endangered by natural phenomena.