WORKERS at a car exporting firm enjoyed a visit from a feathered friend.

Staff at International Car Operators in Southampton's Western Docks were happy to host the rare long-eared owl which landed on a Honda CRV at 10am and stayed the whole morning.

"I don't know if he got himself lost and fancied a rest," said senior team leader Paul French. "It was an unusual time of day as well because they're usually awake through the night."

John Lyle spotted the bird and took the picture.

The team leader wondered whether the bird was trying to wing a free lift with the CRV to its destination Baltimore in America.