A VERY lucky and hungry hawk which had been missing from his Hullbridge home for almost a week was saved in an extremely dirty, and tricky, rescue operation.

The community had flocked together in the search for the missing three-year-old retailed hawk, named Ash, who flew away from his owner last Sunday. But after a week of sightings and missed opportunities, the bird was finally found.

The untrained bird of prey was discovered firmly stuck in the mud at Hullbridge Recreation Ground and thanks to two young boys who were quick to act, the hawk is now safe and sound.

Residents had been asked to be vigilant as the large bird- with a 3ft wing span - was most likely to be very hungry and the owner warned he could be aggressive, so the public should not approach him.

The story went viral on social media and luckily the boys who spotted Ash knew who to call.

Owner Martin Bewers, of Windermere Avenue, Hullbridge, is over the moon to have his bird home.

The 52-year-old said: “I was actually quite ill in bed when I heard. Things haven’t gone well for me this week. But then we got a phone call from a lady down at Hullbridge Recreation Ground.

“Two boys had seen what they thought was my bird in the mud down at the river, so I got out of bed and went down there and he was sitting in the mud about 60ft out.

“I had to wade in the mud and pick him up. I had a big landing net with me in case he was going to fly off again.

“He was actually in the mud but the tide was coming in. If it had of he wouldn’t have got out of the mud and would have been gone. He had got his foot stuck in the mud and his weight meant he was just getting more and more stuck in the mud.”

The falconer said apart from being a bit weak Ash is completely fine with no injuries.

He added: “I think he was a bit weak because he hadn’t eaten. He looked a bit worse for wear and dirty- so was I. He’s absolutely fine now and back safe and sound. He’s a little weak where he has lost some weight but he’s absolutely fine.”

The whole community had been on the lookout for the missing bird and Mr Bewers would like to thank them all for their help.

He added: “I would like to thank the two lads who found him and to thank the people of Hullbridge who have been keeping an eye out. People from all over - from Basildon, Southend, have been calling and helping.

“We had quite a few sightings of him but we missed him and he flew off. He has been on a little adventure but he won’t be going on that again hopefully.”

Onlooker Robin Wood, 74, of Stromness Road, Southend, said the bird looked in a bit bedraggled and sorry for itself after the rescue. He said: “I happened to be present when the hawk was discovered in the mud at the River Crouch.

“It looked sorry for itself and his wings were drooping with the weight of the mud.”