Summary
In 1976, a series of strange sightings around St Mawnan and St Stephen’s Church in Cornwall gave rise to the legend of the Owlman of Mawnan. Witnesses described a large winged figure with an owl-like face, pointed ears, glowing red eyes, grey feathers and clawed or pincer-like feet. The first report involved two young sisters who said they saw the creature hovering above the church tower, while further sightings followed during the summer near the surrounding woods. Several witnesses produced drawings, but no photograph or physical evidence was ever obtained.
Additional Notes
The first known report dates to 17 April 1976. According to paranormal researcher Tony “Doc” Shiels, sisters June and Vicky Melling were visiting Mawnan with their family when they saw a large feathered “bird-man” hovering above the tower of St Mawnan and St Stephen’s Church. The girls were reportedly so frightened that their father ended the family holiday early. June later produced a drawing of the creature. On 3 July 1976, fourteen-year-old Sally Chapman and Barbara Perry reported another encounter while camping near the church. They described a man-sized owl-like creature with pointed ears, glowing red eyes, grey feathers and black claw-like feet. According to their account, the figure rose into the air and disappeared into the trees. Both girls produced drawings after the sighting. Another report followed the next day, when two girls claimed to have seen a similar creature perched in a tree before it flew away. Unlike the first two reports, this account was said to have been sent directly to the local newspaper rather than first passing through Shiels. Further sightings were reported sporadically in 1978, 1989 and 1995, usually in the same general area around Mawnan Church and the surrounding woods. Later reports are less detailed and harder to verify, but they helped turn the 1976 encounters into a lasting Cornish legend. One unusual feature of the case is the central role of Tony “Doc” Shiels. Shiels was a magician, artist and paranormal investigator who publicized the reports and was also associated with other Cornish monster stories of the same period. Because the original Melling family account reached the public through him rather than directly from the witnesses, some researchers have questioned how much of the Owlman story can be independently verified. Several possibilities have been suggested for the sightings. One of the most frequently proposed animals is a large owl, particularly a Eurasian eagle-owl, whose size, ear tufts and strongly reflective orange-red eyes can appear startling at night. Others have suggested a barn owl, a prank, or embellishment surrounding the original reports. At the same time, the repeated descriptions of a large humanoid-looking winged figure and the similarities between several witness drawings have kept the Owlman story alive. No single explanation has been universally accepted.
The Location Today
Mawnan remains a Cornish coastal village near wooded church grounds. The Owlman legend is associated with local paths and woodland, but not a dedicated public encounter site.
- Environment
- Forest, Coast / Beach, Churchyard
- Time of Day
- Evening / Night
- Evidence Level
- Witness Report
- Visiting the Location
- Unknown
- Ownership of the Location
- Unknown