THIS is the moment a 20-ton tractor was stopped in its tracks by a 1lb baby owl.
The stubborn tawny owlet decided to sit in the middle of a single-track road in the hamlet of Dalqueich (corr) in Perth and Kinross – and refused to move for anyone.
The images, caught on camera by a passer-by, show the tiny creature appearing to scowl at the enormous vehicle in front of it.
At one point the bird – which appeared healthy and to have fledged – seemed to fall asleep as traffic begins to build up along the road.
The driver tried to shoo the bird away – but it only shuffled its feathers and settled down once again.
It took 20 minutes and several calls to the SSPCA to seek guidance before the farmer managed to move the bird to safety and carry on his journey.
Colin Boag, from Perth, caught the action on his pocket camera, and described the scene as “cuteness overload”.
He said: “He was sitting in the middle of a single track road at Dalqueich, and quite determined he was not for budging.
“We tried to shoo it to the side of the road but a wee stretch was as good as it got.
“After he was placed at the bottom of the tree he fell asleep again.
“It was completely unfazed by any humans. It was wonderful to see at such close range.”
Tawny owls, known for their stubborn reputation, are the most common woodland owl in Britain.
They are nocturnal and can often be heard calling at night. During the day, most nest up a tree and are rarely seen unless disturbed.
It is estimated there are 50,000 pairs of breeding tawny owls in the United Kingdom.
