A tawny owl has been found clinging to the front of a train in the Northamptonshire town of Crick.
The bird was found just below the driver’s cabin as the locomotive pulled into the freight terminal.
The owl is thought to have hitched a ride all the way from the journey’s start in Mossend, near Glasgow, over 300 miles away.
A local bird sanctuary has taken the travelling tawny in as it recuperates from the ordeal.
Now named Lucky, the owl escape with only a sprained wing and concussion and is being cared for by Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sanctuary owner Geoff Grewcock has a track record of helping birds travelling by train, having cared for a kestrel found in a locomotive from Germany in the past.
He said, "It's a miracle, really. He could have easily been blown off and gone under the train. He's lucky to be alive."
Mr Grewcock plans to release Lucky back into the wild in about a week.
