Rita Thurman, co-founder of Manor Farm Animal Centre & Donkey Sanctuary Centre said: “It’s a real coup for the East Midlands to attract these rare and fascinating British birds of prey into East Leake . We want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to see, understand and get closer to these creatures than they will ever do in the wild. We want the owls to stay with us, so we are asking children and adults of all ages to suggest their favourite name for each owl, one that hopefully suits their individual character”. Little Owls are Britain’s smallest owls and these feathered visitors are aptly named. With a wingspan of less than 60cms, they weigh only up to 230gms. However, their aggressive expressions make this tiny predator appear fierce out of all proportion to their size. Now native to Britain, the Little Owl was introduced from Holland in the late 1800s with the first breeding success in Rutland in 1891. After a population peak in the 1930’s, a serious decline set in due to a combination of habitat loss, pesticide poisoning and collisions with traffic. With a diet consisting mostly of large insects, earthworms and small mammals, during the breeding season they have been known to make a meal of other invertebrates. The unusual nesting habitats of these ‘Little Owls’ are also a revelation.