A Suffolk man woke in the middle of the night to find he’d be joined by an unexpected guest.

East Anglian Daily Times: The tawny owl which managed to find its way into Graham Bickers' living roomThe tawny owl which managed to find its way into Graham Bickers' living room (Image: Archant)

Graham Bickers had dozed off in front of the telly one evening last month but was disturbed from his slumber at about 1am by a fluttering noise.

East Anglian Daily Times: The tawny owl which managed to find its way into Graham Bickers' living roomThe tawny owl which managed to find its way into Graham Bickers' living room (Image: Archant)

And to his surprise the head-turning sound had come from an owl sitting on a curtain rail.

East Anglian Daily Times: Graham Bickers, who woke to found a tawny owl in his living roomGraham Bickers, who woke to found a tawny owl in his living room (Image: Archant)

Mr Bickers, who lives in Weymouth Road in Ipswich, said the bird had flown down his chimney.

Mr Bickers said: “I heard a flutter to my right an low and behold there was this tawney owl just sitting there.

“I’m an avid amateur photographer of wildlife so seeing this was like winning the lottery.”

But despite the unfamiliar surroundings Mr Bickers said the owl didn’t seem particularly bothered.

He said: “It wasn’t in a panic at all. It was very laid back.

“It was probably in my living room for about 20 minutes.”

The owl eventually left through a door Mr Bickers had opened for it after a change in the lighting.

Mr Bickers had to dim the lights in his living room and illuminate his garden with light from the kitchen to show the owl where to go.

“It came down onto one of the arms of the settee then just took off.”