Case file · Cryptid
The Owlman of Mawnan
An owl-like humanoid said to have been seen hovering over the church tower at Mawnan, Cornwall, from April 1976.
1976 CE · 50.12, -5.11 · status: claim
The account
The story came from Tony 'Doc' Shiels, who said two girls on holiday saw it on 17 April 1976. Shiels was then staging a series of 'monster-raising' stunts.
The sceptical view
Barn owls nest in churches and may explain sightings; Shiels's history of pranks makes the original report doubtful.