Two barn owl chicks have been saved from a near-death experience after they were spotted inside a tree destined for the chop.
The ash tree was being surveyed before a routine felling when the two barn owl chicks were discovered.
Ben Boyce, who owns Treefellas in Diss, said: "We went to fell a customer's dead tree and he told us he thought there might be a squirrel in there.
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"I abseiled down and looked into a cavity at the back of a tree, I thought to myself 'Those don't look like squirrels' so I took a video for a better look."
Mr Boyce was shocked to find the two owls hiding in a hollow inside the ash tree.
He added: "I've only seen owls a few times in my career of 22 years and it's definitely not something you see regularly.
The company carries out a wildlife risk assessment from the ground, but if they suspect there may be a nest inside a tree, they will do a more thorough check.
Mr Boyce made the decision to leave the tree intact, leaving the barn owl chicks undisturbed.
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