by James Scott

Charter House may not have been converted into flats yet, but its first tenant is already causing a flap.

A magnificent Eurasian eagle owl has been spotted roosting close to the top floor on the north west side of the nine-storey office block.

The bird, one of the biggest species of owl in the world, has been living on the 1970s building for about a month and appears to have escaped from captivity, although it has no ring or straps, known as jesses, on its legs.

In the spirit of the Olympics, we have decided to name it Eddie the Eagle Owl after legendary British Olympic ski jumper Eddie Edwards.

Twitchers with binoculars and telescopes have been keeping watch on the building from the forecourt outside Andrews Garage in North Street.

Kentish Express Nature Notes correspondent Owen Leyshon from the Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership said: “It is presumed to be an escape from someone’s collection or aviary, or could be a lost pet.

“They eat rats, pigeons, baby rabbits and also small dogs and cats which have been found in nests across Europe in the past – but that is rare.
“However, whatever it is eating on – it seems to be doing all right.”

He added: “None of us know anymore than that. We can’t see if it has a ring or jesses on legs to prove it is an escape. It is an impressive bird.

“They are found breeding in the wild just across the Channel in France and Belgium so there is a remote chance it has come across from the continent.”

The Rare Breeds Centre at Woodchurch, which is home to several eagle owls, said all of their birds were accounted for.

Similarly the Folkestone Owl Rescue Sanctuary, which cares for 46 owls including 10 eagle owls, had no birds missing.

Owner Brian Maxted said: “Most of our owls come from people who no longer want them or have moved and don’t have room.

“Some people just let them go because they get fed up with them but once they’ve gone wild you will find that people start losing cats so it’s really best if it can be caught.”

He added that the average male eagle owl has a wingspan of around 5ft, while a female’s wingspan can be between 8ft and 10ft.