'Owl man' putting smiles on faces as family take bird across St Helens

With a lifelong interest in birds, John Kinsley, who goes by his business name of Ben Tarvie, began collecting birds of prey around six years ago as his son Andrew also had a budding curiosity about the animals.

As the birds are quite uncommon to own as pets, John and Andrew started touring the animals to let others have a special moment and bring a smile to their face.

Over the past few years, this has seen the father and son take the birds to special schools, nursing homes, social events, and local businesses.

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John's son Andrew has been a big help with the birds of prey (Image: Susan Arnold Pilling)
John, who is a delivery driver and wildlife photographer, said: "We have been taking the birds to different places over the past couple of years, as our own private thing to put a smile on people's faces.

"We have been to nursing homes and special schools, where some moments have been so special.

"One girl was blind and you could see her imagining the bird as she felt it and Andrew described it. Everyone was welling up and money can't buy moments like that."

Andrew showing a young girl the owl (Image: Susan Arnold Pilling)
While John has quietly toured the birds without shouting much about his efforts, the 'owl man' was praised on social media this week after letting Newton-le-Willows residents have pictures with his owl on the high street.

After pictures of residents and Tundra the Owl were posted online, hundreds of people reacted to the photographs and many others commended the family for delivering special moments free of charge.

The family has also taken their birds to nursing homes (Image: Ben Tarvie)
Speaking about the recent praise, John added: "In my work as a delivery driver, I had the idea that taking the birds to local businesses would be a big help for them and bring the community together.

"We don't shout about ourselves that much but to see the [social media] post and see what it means to people really blew me away."

Stevie was amazed with his picture with Tundra the owl (Image: Stevie Ballard)

Stevie Ballard, who had his picture with the owl, said: "John is such a genuine nice person, he deserves good things and touched my heart with his sincerity.

"He let me have a picture with his owl, and I sincerely offered him money but the Legend would not take it, he takes the owl to sick children, and care homes to cheer people up, [he is a ] legend of a person."

John and Andrew's birds have been a big hit in the community (Image: St Helens Bookstop)