Three tawny owls have been released in the wild

The birds were returned to the wild on Friday night by staff at the Working for Wildlife reserve in Baronsdown.

Grilles on the aviary windows have been removed so the owls can return to their pen to feed.

"The birds have been released at a time when the weather is fairly settled," said Paul Tillsley the reserve manager.

Owl pen

The three owls were taken to separate animal shelters after being found by local people who were walking in the countryside in the spring.

They were later moved to a specially-built pen at Baronsdown.

"They have been in captivity for two months and a lot of care and attention has gone into getting them fit and ready to be released," said Paul Tillsley.

"We hope they will now fly off and thrive."

The purpose-built owl pen at the centre near Dulverton has successfully been used to release a number of tawny owls in the wild in previous years.