BIRDS of prey helped to launch a wildlife survey this week.

The birds, on loan from the Kirkleatham Owl Centre, helped the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust to launch an owl survey.

People were asked to keep their eyes and ears open to help organisers to establish the size of Teesside's tawny owl population.

People were invited to join bird counters on enjoyable night-time strolls into owl country.

Tawny Owl Week started at the headquarters of the trust, at Kirkleatham Old Hall on the outskirts of Redcar, when children were able to meet some of the birds. They were also shown how to make kites, owl masks and nesting boxes.