A SWIFT drink at their local pub is proving a real hoot for regulars at Great Harwood's Park Hotel.
Landlady Margaret Lucas has a team of unusual pets, including a rare Alaskan great grey owl called Zulu. And they are a big hit with visitors of all ages.
Zulu's feathered friends include Jamu the European eagle owl, Perdy the barn owl, Bizhou the Turkemanian eagle owl, Bollinger the Bengal eagle owl, Bramble the tawny owl, and Jet the Harris hawk.
Margaret bought her first bird about three years ago from a closing-down falconry and her collection has grown from there. Zulu has been with her since she was just three weeks old and Margaret said she sometimes seemed to forget she was an owl. The birds are kept in aviaries at two separate sites, but they are also regular guests at the pub.
Margaret said: "They are all very tame. They are more like pets than anything else. They are not really hard work to look after but it takes a lot of money to feed them. I don't find it difficult, it is a pleasure.
"Zulu sits in the front seat in the van and comes out with us. She always creates a lot of interest; people crowd around the van when they see her. The regulars in the pub love them all as well."
Five of the birds will be putting in a guest appearance at a children's Halloween party at the Harwood Lane pub on Friday evening.
