Budgie escapes during storm, found hiding in drain a mile from home

ENGLAND: A pet budgie that vanished when a storm blew open a kitchen window was found hiding in a storm drain a mile from home.

11-month-old Luna made her great escape from owner Cimberley Frost’s home in Northampton when strong winds following Storm Boelo forced open a window and she flew away.

But the tiny bird’s adventure ended when a passing motorist spotted her hopping down into a roadside drain and alerted the RSPCA.“Luna hadn’t gone far when we believe she must have been frightened by something and she hopped down into a drain to hide,” said RSPCA Inspector Richard Durant.

“Luckily, in a bizarre turn of events, a passing driver happened to spot her jump down into the drain and called us for help. Luna saw it as a hidey-hole, but if she hadn’t been seen then no one would have known she was down there.”

Richard was out with Trainee Animal Rescue Officer Rosie Cowie on October 26 when the call came to rescue the stranded bird.“We peered down the drain and there was Luna’s little beak peeking out from a pipe,” recalled Rosie.

“I gently grabbed her and popped her in a pet carrier — my first rescue, and one I certainly won’t be forgetting.”Luna was taken into RSPCA care and, just days later, her worried owner got in touch.

RSPCA Officer Ellie Grindod reunited Luna with a relieved Ms. Frost, whose home was just a mile from where the budgie had been found.