Emotional appeal after beautiful owl called Blinks missing from family farm in East Boldon

Ashleigh Ferguson says her one-year-old barn owl, Blinks, is missing from Tileshed Farm, leaving its chick and breeding partner, Trigger, behind.

The mum-of-three noticed that Blinks was not in the aviary on the farm on Saturday, June 19 but believes that she may have been missing as early as Thursday.

Ashleigh, 37, said: "It’s horrendous, I just want her back.

“She sometimes sleeps behind a box, so [it was only] when I went in with my ladder first thing on Saturday to take the box down and that I realised she was gone.”

Read more: Meet the incredible South Shields great-grandmother still fundraising at 90 to help people with Alzheimer's

Although there are no visible signs to indicate an intruder has broken into the aviary, Ashleigh says there is no way Blinks could have escaped on her own, leading her to believe that her owl may have been stolen.

Ashleigh, whose grandad, John Ferguson, owns the farm where Blinks lives, is offering a cash reward for anyone who finds her.

"She is a hand-reared barn owl and she is beautiful,” Ashleigh said.

"Everybody loves her. I feel sick that she is missing and I have been out looking for her.

”She has a chick which I brought home with me to hand-rear.

"I am gutted, she is a massive part of the family.

"We just need her home.”

Ashleigh says the owl has a registered birds of prey ring number that she will be able to verify if found.

If anyone sees Blinks they are asked to contact Ashleigh Ferguson on Facebook.

You can subscribe to this website and enjoy unlimited access to local news, information and puzzles online.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Simply click ‘Subscribe’ in the menu.