Gloria Harris has been running a little owl and morepork rescue service for 30 years.
"I've probably cared for close to 300 birds," she told RNZ's Country Life programme proudly.
Recovering birds are homed in aviaries overlooking a flock of sheep on her 10ha farmlet near Invercargill.
When Country Life called in she was about to catch and weigh a little owl that was found in the middle of the road after being hit by a car.
"I took him up to the vet as both eyes were swollen shut, and if you look at him now, you can see one pupil's really huge."
She said the bird still adjusting to not having binocular vision, making it difficult to catch prey or land.
"There's a bit more green around the eye, so I'm hopeful that he may regain his sight. It's just going to be a time thing."
Her passion for rescuing owls began after seeing one sitting on a power pylon. She was struck by how majestic it looked.
She told a friend who looked after the aviaries at Queen's Park in Invercargill, who said chicks and injured owls are dropped off every now and then.
"I said I'd love to raise one, so she said I'll send the next lot round to you, so she did, and that's where it all started."
The busiest time of the year is in early summer during the hatching season. This is when people often come across owl nests while cleaning up woodpiles.
"They're cavity dwellers, well some put nests in trees, but a lot of them would just find a cavity and that's where they have their chicks."
More often than not, the chicks end up on Harris' doorstep, and once they can master a test flight down her hallway, then they go out to an aviary until they're up to weight.
"Then I pull down this soft release door, and when the owl's ready to go, they'll look at me, they're a bit suspicious, and then they fly away," she said showing Country Life round the aviary.
The majority of the owls that she cares for are little owls.
"I get the occasional morepork, they're absolutely magnificent, but they're quite feisty and these are quieter to work with."
Harris said it's a labour of love and when they're well enough to leave, it can be a bit emotional.
"I always give them a little blessing before they fly away."
