Rival owl businesses face off in Norwich city centre

Mark Forsdick and his 12-year-old daughter Evie were showing off their owls to onlookers as part of a display outside the Forum.

The pair - who together run Evie's Owls - regularly attend events with the fine-feathered animals where they provide picture and petting opportunities for a small fee.

Evie and Mark Forsdick run Evie's Owls together (Image: Ella Wilkinson)

But the atmosphere was soured by the arrival of another owl handler which people passing by thought was with the duo - but they said he had nothing to do with them. 

Soon the cops were involved and the rival handler, Simon Smith, was moved on for not having the correct paperwork to display his birds in the city.

Mr Smith, who travelled from Bedfordshire that day, defended his presence in Norwich and said the thought his birds are not well looked after "makes me feel sick to my stomach".

LOGGERHEADS

Mark, 56, who lives in Norwich, said: "We saw a man walk past with birds on his shoulders and arms which immediately raised alarms.

"Any legitimate bird handler knows you must transport them properly in cages so they do not spook."

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Mark said the man disappeared toward the market and soon members of the public were approaching him and Evie to complain about the welfare of the owls.

"People were saying that other people were running our operation down at the market but it had nothing to do with us," he said.

Owls are natural predators and can spook easily, Mark said (Image: Simon Smith)

"It turns out the man had tied his owls to a bench in front of the stalls and was waving a bucket around for donations.

"Owls must be kept in three-sided enclosures with a roof so they can't be frightened," he said.

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"They're top predators and can upset the natural order of an environment like the city if you're not careful.

"Other birds like seagulls could mob them if they felt threatened and that wouldn't be good for the owls if they were tied to benches all day."

AUTHORITIES STEP IN

Mark and Evie expressed their concerns to a pair of passing police officers who investigated the market owl display, named Owl and About, which was asked to move on for not having the proper permission slips from the city council to be there.

But the owner, Simon Smith, defended his presence on the high street.

The bench where Simon had his owls perched (Image: Google)

"It's Mark's word against mine but our owls are all well looked after and very happy," he said.

"I have all my licenses, A10s and rings, and the birds are all registered with the Hawk and Owl Trust.

"I know them better than anyone and they weren't stressed out at all."

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Simon, who is based in Bedfordshire, started Owls and About six months ago with his partner Katy Gardner who he said has more than six years of experience as a falconer.

According to Simon, police told him to go to Chapelfield Garden where the birds could have space to roam.

Simon said his owls were more than comfortable being in the city that day (Image: Simon Smith)

"Even though the police told me to leave, they didn't have any questions about my birds' welfare," he added.

"The thought that someone thinks they're not looked after makes me feel sick to my stomach."

WIPING THE SLATE

However, Simon admitted that his handling of the owl enclosures fell well short of adequate that day.

"When I take my owls to events I usually keep them in a marquee but I didn't when I visited Norwich at the weekend which was my mistake," he said.

"I took every complaint onboard, left when I was asked to and will not be returning without the proper licenses and insurance in future."

The confrontation happened at the weekend (Image: Simon Smith)

Mark added: "The last thing I wanted to do was make things hard for Simon.  

"But anything can happen when the correct precautions aren't taken and nobody wants to see an owl or member of the public harmed."

Evie's Owls will be appearing outside the Forum again on Saturday, November 30.