It was first spotted sitting on a post in the backyard of a pub
Tristan Cork Chief Reporter
15:45, 19 Jul 2026
A still image from a video posted onto a community Facebook group in Ashton, Cornwall, of a hornbill sitting on a post in the back yard of the Lion & Lamb pub(Image: Mya Chapman/Facebook)
A rescue mission got underway on Sunday afternoon (July 19) in a Cornish village after a hornbill was spotted sitting on a post in the back yard of a pub.
The distinctive bird, with its massive down-curved bill, is usually found in tropical climes like subtropical Africa and Asia, but certainly turned heads as it paused on a post at the back of the Lion & Lamb pub in Ashton, near Helston this afternoon.
A video and some pictures of the bird were posted on the local community Facebook group, and its owner was tagged, and made her way over to the spot.
A search and rescue mission has now been launched by the community, led by the bird’s owner – a woman from the village – as it had flown off.
Rooftops and gardens around Ashton are being searched in the hope of spotting the unusual creature.