ABOVE: Lezlie de Loughrey, partner of Tank's owner Darren Jackson
A KildareNow reader contacted us to report that she believes she saw the European Eagle Owl on ESB poles on the outskirts of Edenderry at lunchtime.
The Rathangan resident Rowena Stapleton was leaving Edenderry at about 1pm when she spotted what she thought was the bird of prey on an ESB pole.
Rowena said: "He was perched on the top of an ESB pole. I tried to take a photo of it but it jumped onto a further away pole and then he flew off."
The female European Eagle Owl, named Tank but nicknamed 'Owlington', escaped from its home in Curragh Grange, Newbridge, while being fed on Friday.
The creature has a 6.5-foot wing span.
Motorist Paul Kelly believes he saw the missing Eagle Owl near Digby Bridge between Sallins and Clane yesterday.
Dash cam footage sent to KildareNow by Paul shows a large bird of prey being chased by crows.
Owner Darren Jackson said that crows will chase the Eagle Owl if she tries to rest in trees in their territory.
He explained: "If she is in a tree top during the day, she will be mobbed by crows. This means they will try and chase her out of the area."
Darren's partner Lezlie De Loughrey said Tank is very used to humans and very placid and while she has flown off before, she has never gone too far.
She said there have been a good few sightings since Friday night and she thinks the bird is still around Kildare.
"She's a hand reared owl, so she's used to humans but she would get scared with anyone different. She'd make a barking sound as well.
"So if someone does see her, we don't want someone trying to catch her or grab her because she'd panic…but she's definitely not going to be swooping out of the skies picking up children or deer or anything like that."
Local falconry organisations have been notified along with gardaí and the Defence Forces.
SIGHTINGS
Prosperous
People are being encouraged to stay at a safe distance from the eagle owl.
Owner Darren Jackson said: "Tank is very placid but the fear is that she will be hungry."
"She does not eat deer but she has the capability to eat deer."
Darren's partner Lezlie de Loughrey (above) says that it is unlikely that she would kill a deer.
She said: "We are worried about her."
She says that the Eagle Owl will not be able to find her way back to Newbridge.
Usually Tank eats dead rabbits, rats and chicks, which are purchased from an aviary.
She was fed on Friday night and got spooked by a neighbourhood cat.
Ms De Loughrey said: "She just headed away in the opposite direction. "
Speaking to KildareNow, Darren Jackson, confirmed that the Eagle Owl spotted in Prosperous is not Tank.
He says that she has a bell on her foot.
Mr Jackson said: "She seems to be spotted everywhere from Dublin to Cork."
There are concerns that she could injure a human with her talons, if someone tries to approach her without the proper handling equipment.
The public are being encouraged to contact their local Garda Station if they see Tank.
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