The eagle-eyed amongst you (!) might remember our Red Kite rescue a few months back?…
You may also remember we were allowed to release her back into the wild, thanks to the wonderful people at the Hawk Conservancy who nursed her back to health and confirmed she was all good to go…?
It’s been years since I’d visited the Hawk Conservancy Trust properly. In fact, I think the last time I was 11 (my parents had a pub not far from here) one hot summer’s day back in the late 80’s (I’m sure I even wore my Young Ornithologists Club badge for the occasion!)! Thanks to Kitty who had inadvertently reminded me about the place, I had wanted to take the small people for some time. During the Easter Holidays, we were invited to spend the day and to meet a few very special VIPs (sadly I couldn’t find my badge)…
The Hawk Conservancy Trust began in 1966 as Weyhill Zoo, with just a few European birds and animals. As Zoos increased in popularity, and people wanted to see more and more exotic species, it was decided to leave this side of things to the recently opened Marwell up the road in Winchester, and concentrate solely on birds here instead. The Hawk Conservancy really started life in 1981.
When we dropped Kitty off, we only saw the “hospital” side of the Conversancy, so my first impressions this visit were how much the place has changed! It’s so much bigger than it used to be! It’s always been a place of rescue and rehabilitation for birds of prey in particular, but nowadays it operates on a more global scale, especially in its educational and conservation work.
One of the birds The Hawk Conservancy Trust is working hard to save is the much-misunderstood vulture. Global numbers are dwindling thanks to inadvertent poisoning due to the ever-expanding dairy industry in developing countries, and sadly they are also deliberately killed by poachers (they circle dead animals, and give away where the poachers are!). The Hawk Conservancy vultures were the first birds we met during our visit, and Cedric (who helped look after Kitty!) taught us about them, whilst giving the birds their lunch. The sad thing is how often these birds are portrayed as sinister when they play such a vital role in nature’s ecosystem… I think almost everyone in the audience went away with different perceptions of these brilliant characters thankfully.
As you might expect, there are a lot of flying demonstrations at The Hawk Conservancy throughout the day. The first was the Wings of Africa display, where we got to see the vultures again (flying this time) and witnessed an impressive sea eagle in action. We also had owls silently graze the tops of our heads, and watched the bizarre looking baby secretary bird and his snake despatching skills (which was a definite highlight with Small People).
The Hawk Conservancy started life as a family affair, and it still very much feels like one, everyone really looks like they enjoy working here. Another thing we really loved is that no animal is forced into doing anything. They are displayed purely to teach people about them, the environments they come from and what we can do to help preserve those…
Afterwards we enjoyed a hearty lunch at Feather’s Restaurant, before our super special appointment (Mr.R and the Three-Year-old had to spectate from afar as you have to be six at least to meet these guys, but I am pretty sure we will be going back as soon as he meets that criteria!!)…
Let me introduce you to The Burrowers…
These tiny burrowing owls can be found on the plains of North and South America, and in Weyhill too! If you book ahead (it does costs extra to the admission price) you can meet them properly too! I will be honest and say I heard a couple of people walk past and question the extra money, but I seriously think it’s worth it. The group size is kept to a minimum and we were in the enclosure together with the owls for almost half an hour…
In that time, these tiny creatures were free to either stay in their burrows, or come out and meet us. Luckily for us, we proved just as interesting to them as they were to us, and we were all completely captivated as they hopped on to our hands and laps, and even obliged us with a few selfies.
We all left very much in love, having learned a lot about these gorgeous creatures and their habitat. This really isn’t an everyday experience (plus if you love your photography, I promise you will get some good shots!), and if you don’t fancy it yourself would make a really lovely gift experience for someone!
We also managed to fit in a trip to the bird themed (naturally!) play park, and admire a few of the other residents (and a few wild guests too – look out for these at the demonstrations in particular, it’s completely normal to see a kite or buzzard spectating the proceedings from above!) too, before heading to the most beautiful meadow (dedicated to the founder of the Hawk Conservancy Reg Smith. It was absolutely covered in cowslips when we visited) for the Valley of the Eagles display. A little tip – if your tiny person is slightly flagging at this point (ours was!) and sitting still and keeping quiet is proving a little more tricky than earlier in the day (you have to be both as the birds really do fly quite low over you!), you might want to let them know that quite often there are tractor rides in the meadow once the birds have finished. This blackmail worked a treat for us, and we were able to enjoy the display and the piece de resistance of the American Eagle flying in from miles away…
If you happen to be in the area and haven’t heard of the Hawk Conservancy Trust before, I would really recommend a visit. We came away after a full day having learned so much completely humbled and inspired by the work that they do here, I know we will be back at some point, I just need to find my badge in the meantime…
Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover, SP11 8DY
*we were guests of the Hawk Conservancy Trust and were invited to meet the Burrowing Owls. All thoughts and opinions are very much my own as per usual…
Such stunning photos! I loved your bit on the vulture and how it is misunderstood and important for our eco system. The owls look beautiful as well #culturedkids
Thanks so much Megan! :) x
I love wildlife places that are all about conservancy. What a special place this looks. Your photos are amazing (as always!) Funnily enough I also recently wrote about a wildlife park that is happily seeing increasing numbers of vultures returning to it in southern France. I had no idea there were vultures out of Africa and Asia until hearing about them at this place. (I linked it up to #farawayfiles too).
Thanks so much Phoebe! Loved your post too! :)
Would absolutely love to do this! The owls are so adorable and I think it’s worth it to pay extra for such a special experience. Thank you for sharing this lovely post with us on #farawayfiles
I think for such a special experience it really is worth it! Thanks Hilary! :)
We always drive past the sign for the Hawk Conservancy when we’re on the A303 heading to see my dad and I’ve often wondered about it. I love owls so I think we’d really enjoy this. Thanks for sharing it on #farawayfiles
You must Clare, it would be a brilliant place to stop off on the way! :) Thank you!
What beautiful beasts. Kids can learn so much from places like this. #culturedkids
We really learned a lot! Thank you! :)
Mr CW had a hawk flying day for his birthday a few years ago and has been talking about visiting the Hawk Conservancy Trust ever since, we really must and those burrowing owls are just the cutest! #CulturalWednesday
You have to go and see these guys! Thanks Catherine! :)
This looks absolutely wonderful. My two would love visiting somewhere like this as they love learning about wildlife :)
Louise x
It’s really worth visiting! Thanks Louise! :)
This is amazing! Honestly I would be super scared but this place looks like such an adventure. Such beautiful birds.
Thanks so much. The little owls really weren’t scary at all, don’t worry! :) x
I’ll definitely consider visiting if I am ever in the area, it sounds like such an interesting place.
It’s really worth visiting Rebecca! :)
This looks incredible. Beautiful pics – and how cute are those burrowers?? I hadn’t realised that so many vultures were killed by poachers. That’s really sad. #CulturedKids
I had no idea either. Thanks Nell! :) x
Your photos are astonishing – just look at those eyes and feathers! Fascinating to read about the trust.
Thanks so much Trish. This is exactly how close you can get to these beautiful creatures, and they really don’t mind! :D xx
What a fantastic place. We are regular visitors to a zoo where the birds display always includes the cutest burrowing owls and they pop in and out of their burrow but this experience, where they are so close and there is the opportunity to handle them if they are in the mood is wonderful! I’ll add this to our ever growing ‘to-do’ list. #culturedkids
You must Kirsty, it’s so special! Thank you! :)
It must have been lovely to go back to place you haven’t visited for a number of years and finding new additions and events. I love the wings of Africa display with the vultures sound very cool although feeling the owl across your head must have been a little scary!
Thanks Kirsty. It wasn’t at all scary, promise! :)
Oh wow how cool is this. What a great day out for sure xx
Thanks Melanie! (:
I’ve never heard of the trust before, but what magnificent creatures they are. I love the photo of the Hawk posturing with his chest out x
Thanks Rachel! (:
I’ve been to a few places like this before and held some of the birds and they’re such cool places. It’s nice you’ve been able to revisit x
Thanks Rhian! :) x
So yeah,I am sharing this across my platforms….this is wonderful and I am so glad you got a chance to share your adventure with us all. While Kitty is a wonderful name for a bird,I always got a laugh of friend who named her parrot “Catfood”.
Thanks Patrick! :)
Wow the size of some of those birds of prey is amazing. The Burrowers are super cute too. My family would all like to visit here. Mich x
You must visit if you get the chance Mich, they are just gorgeous! :) x
What a fantastic experience, and it’s not too far from London. And how incredible to spend an hour with the owls – well worth the money if you ask me. #CULTUREDKIDS
It’s really not far from London, and well worth a visit! :) Thanks Scarlett! :)