British Army sailors rescue exhausted stowaway 70 miles out to sea

How stricken barn owl 'Little Reg' was rescued off North East coast by Army sailors

A stricken barn owl rescued off the North East coast after repeatedly falling into the water has become an unlikely crew member aboard a British Army yacht competing in a gruelling round-Britain race.

Owl aboard - British army sailors rescue tired bird 70 nautical miles out to sea

After failing to land on a crew member’s head and tumbling from the mast into the sea three times, the bird finally collapsed on to the deck

Owl with ‘fighting spirit’ saved after soldiers in race find it 70 miles out at sea

A barn owl has been rescued in Norfolk after being found 70 miles out at sea by an army racing yacht crew off the coast of Newcastle.

British Army sailors rescue bedraggled barn owl 70 nautical miles out to sea

A barn owl stranded some 70 nautical miles out to sea was rescued by an astonished British Army sailing crew competing in a gruelling race around Britain and Ireland.

Owl aboard - British Army sailors rescue exhausted stowaway 70 miles out to sea

A British Army sailing crew competing ‌in one of yachting's most demanding races found themselves conducting an impromptu wildlife rescue 70 nautical miles from shore when an exhausted barn owl made a determined bid to join their team.

Barn Owl rescued off the Norfolk coast after collapsing onto boat

"It's very unusual... barn owls shouldn't be 70 miles off Newcastle," a wildlife rescuer says.