A BIRD of prey centre is celebrating the success of a new pair of rare owls, which laid two eggs earlier this week.

The breeding pair of Turkmenian Eagle Owls were introduced recently at Thorp Perrow, near Bedale and this week laid two eggs.

It is believed there are only 26 of the owls in captivity throughout Europe and Thorpe Perrow has the UK’s second-only breeding pair.

The new pair of owls have spent time adjusting to their new home at Thorp Perrow and becoming acquainted with one another and have now laid their first eggs.

It is hoped these eggs will hatch into healthy chicks in about 40 days and that the pair may go on to produce a second clutch later in the year.

Owner and manager of the Bird of Prey and Mammal Centre, Tom Graham said: “The bird of prey team is delighted with how quickly this pair have settled.

"It is very important that the species numbers continue to rise in captivity as there is little data on the wild population of these beautiful owls.”

Turkmenian Eagle Owls are a sub-species of the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), one of the largest species of owl in the world.