Saving a Life at Dusk

Saving a Life at Dusk

Help Us Support Moyles Court Wildlife Rescue

Sometimes, when you're out enjoying the New Forest, you see some of our varied wildlife. And sometimes, you realise that wildlife needs you.

One evening, while driving towards Lepe at dusk, we spotted a Barn Owl sitting unusually close to the edge of the road. It didn't fly away as we approached. That immediately felt wrong.

We pulled over and quickly realised that the owl was injured. Its wing was visibly damaged and, although it managed to hop into the verge, it was clearly distressed and in a very dangerous position on a narrow single-track road. With traffic continuing to pass, we knew we couldn't simply leave it there.

A community rescue effort

With visitors heading towards Lepe to view the Cowes fireworks, we knew HM Coastguard Lymington was in the area. We contacted a team member to ask whether they could help, and of course they did.

The Coastguard team quickly pulled together what was needed, including a secure box provided by the staff at The Lookout café at Lepe, and came straight to our location.

By the time they arrived, the owl had already had two more near-misses with passing cars. It had become trapped in a bramble-covered ditch, without our help, it may well have died

Using bright torches, heavy gloves and appropriate PPE, the Coastguard crew carefully entered the ditch, rescued the owl and placed it safely into the box.

It was alive. Now we needed somewhere to take it. You can see the rescue in the short video below.

Getting the owl to safety

We contacted Moyles Court Wildlife Rescue, a New Forest-based wildlife rescue charity who immediately guided us through what to do next.

They asked us to note the precise location where the owl had been found, so that if it recovered, it could eventually be returned to its home territory.

We then drove the owl to the rescue centre, after housing it overnight.

That's where we met Mike. He examined the owl and confirmed that its right wing was broken. An X-ray would be needed to determine exactly what could be done and whether the wing could be repaired sufficiently for the owl to return to the wild.

And that's when we realised just how much work goes on behind the scenes.

At the time of our visit, Moyles Court was caring for:

• 5 Barn Owls
• 20 Tawny Owls
• Buzzards
• Kestrels
• Hares
• Foxes
• Badger
• Deer
• Swans
• Hedgehogs
• and more...

A vital local lifeline for wildlife

Moyles Court Wildlife Rescue is there when wildlife has nowhere else to go.

It is entirely dependent on volunteers and public donations, with running costs of around £150,000 a year.

That means every animal that arrives brings with it a need for food, veterinary treatment, medication, equipment, rehabilitation and care.

Our Barn Owl was just one animal on one evening, but without Moyles Court, we genuinely don't know what we would have done.

Now we'd like to help them

At Our Bench, we care deeply about the New Forest and the people, businesses and organisations that help make this such a special place, as well as our guests

We believe that when a community comes together, small actions can make a very real difference, so we're asking our guests, visitors, friends and fellow New Forest lovers to help us support Moyles Court Wildlife Rescue. Every donation helps.

We have created a just giving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/barnowl and they have an Amazon wish list if you wish to buy supplies direct, a great way to send a gift!

Help give wildlife a second chance

• That Barn Owl was simply sitting at the side of a New Forest road, it's challenges not seen, which is the same story we see in many of our guests and their families
• Waiting for someone to notice that it was struggling
• Waiting for someone to stop, to care and to offer help and offer reassurance that it will be OK
• One person caring can rally a team, the Coastguard team came together, a local café helped with a box, a wildlife rescue centre opened its doors and one injured bird was given a chance.
• That asking for help and giving help to others - truly can make a difference

Now we'd love to help make sure Moyles Court can continue doing the same for the next animal that needs them.

❤️ Please help if you can DONATE TO MOYLES COURT WILDLIFE RESCUE ❤️

Thank you for helping us care for the New Forest.

Update: He’s home!

We have the news we were all hoping for.

Wildlife Rescue at Moyles Court have confirmed that our beautiful Barn Owl has fully recovered from his wing injury and has now been released back at Lepe, into his own territory.

What started with us spotting an injured owl at the side of the road at dusk became a wonderful chain of people simply stopping, helping and caring. From the Coastguard who helped us that evening, to the volunteers at Wildlife Rescue who cared for him during his recovery, and every one of you who donated and shared his story.

So, thank you. You helped give him that second chance.

There is something rather special about knowing that somewhere around Lepe, the owl we worried about that evening is flying free again.

Watch the moment our rescued Barn Owl was released back into his territory at Lepe. Video courtesy of Wildlife Rescue at Moyles Court.

The fundraising page will remain part of his story, and the money raised helps Wildlife Rescue continue doing exactly this for the next injured animal that needs them.

From the side of the road, to rescue, recovery and finally back home. Not a bad ending to our little owl story.

Our New Forest wildlife

If you're staying with us at Our Bench, you'll know that being surrounded by the New Forest is one of the things that makes this area so special.

Please remember that our wildlife shares these roads and open spaces with us. At dusk and during the night, animals can be particularly difficult to see. Slow down. Stay alert. And if you see injured wildlife, seek professional help rather than putting yourself or the animal at further risk.

The Verderers of the New Forest share this guide for advice and be aware of the Drive Safe initiative.

Caring for New Forest wildlife is part of our wider commitment to the area. You can also read about what being a New Forest Guardian means to Our Bench .

Updated: September 2026