WHITE FACED SCOPS OWL. Firstly, many thanks to the folk at Corio Raptor Care and Rehabilitation for allowing me to take all the photos in this gallery. They are a charity based near Lancaster who do sterling work helping sick, injured and mistreated birds of prey. They can be found at www.raptor.co.uk or on Facebook (CORIO-RAPTOR-CARE). They also carry out regular shows around Lancashire, Cumbria and North Yorkshire, as well as educational visits to schools etc.

The species of Owl (and the odd Kestrel) featured are Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Little Owl, American Kestrel, Asian Brown Wood Owl, and my personal favourite "Otis", the White Faced Scops Owl. Thanks also go to all of these birds for being consummate professionals and not being at all fazed by having a telephoto lens stuck inches in front of their faces. They are beautiful and fascinating creatures and it was a pleasure to photograph them!

Ian

P.S The photos were taken at the Corio Raptor Care show at the Aughton Pudding Festival, an event that only occurs every 21 years. It involves the baking of a gigantic plum pudding, which in 1992 weighed 3.82 tonnes and was a World Record Holder. Last year's was slightly smaller, but still required mixing in a tin bath and transporting by a quad bike. That's some cake!...