{"id":20039,"date":"2019-04-26T15:18:31","date_gmt":"2019-04-26T15:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=20039"},"modified":"2019-05-02T09:30:00","modified_gmt":"2019-05-02T09:30:00","slug":"hawk-conservancy-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/hawk-conservancy-trust\/","title":{"rendered":"Meeting the Burrowers – Hawk Conservancy Trust"},"content":{"rendered":"

The eagle-eyed amongst you (!) might remember our Red Kite rescue<\/a> a few months back?…<\/h4>\n

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You may also remember we were allowed to release her back into the wild<\/a>, thanks to the wonderful people at the Hawk Conservancy who nursed her back to health and confirmed she was all good to go…?<\/p>\n

It’s been years since I’d visited the Hawk Conservancy Trust properly.\u00a0 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<\/a> for the occasion!)!\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Thanks to Kitty who had inadvertently reminded me about the place, I had wanted to take the small people for some time.\u00a0 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)…<\/p>\n

The Hawk Conservancy Trust began in 1966 as Weyhill Zoo, with just a few European birds and animals.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The Hawk Conservancy really started life in 1981.<\/p>\n

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!\u00a0 \u00a0It’s so much bigger than it used to be!\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

\"Vulture<\/p>\n

One of the birds The Hawk Conservancy Trust is working hard to save is the much-misunderstood vulture.\u00a0 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!).\u00a0 \u00a0 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.\u00a0 \u00a0The sad thing is how often these birds are portrayed as sinister when they play such a vital role in nature’s ecosystem…\u00a0 I think almost everyone in the audience went away with different perceptions of these brilliant characters thankfully.<\/p>\n

\"Eagle<\/p>\n

\"secretary<\/p>\n

As you might expect, there are a lot of flying demonstrations at The Hawk Conservancy throughout the day.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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).<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 \u00a0Another thing we really loved is that no animal is forced into doing anything.\u00a0 \u00a0They are displayed purely to teach people about them, the environments they come from and what we can do to help preserve those…<\/p>\n

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!!)…<\/p>\n

Let me introduce you to The Burrowers…<\/p>\n

\"burrowing<\/p>\n

These tiny burrowing owls can be found on the plains of North and South America, and in Weyhill too!\u00a0 If you book ahead (it does costs extra to the admission price) you can meet them properly too!\u00a0 \u00a0I 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.\u00a0 \u00a0The group size is kept to a minimum and we were in the enclosure together with the owls for almost half an hour…<\/p>\n

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\"burrowing<\/p>\n

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In that time, these tiny creatures were free to either stay in their burrows, or come out and meet us.\u00a0 \u00a0Luckily 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.<\/p>\n

We all left very much in love, having learned a lot about these gorgeous creatures and their habitat.\u00a0 \u00a0This 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!<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 It was absolutely covered in cowslips when we visited) for the Valley of the Eagles display.\u00a0 \u00a0A 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.\u00a0 \u00a0This 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…<\/p>\n

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If you happen to be in the area and haven’t heard of the Hawk Conservancy Trust before, I would really recommend a visit.\u00a0 \u00a0We 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…<\/p>\n

Hawk Conservancy Trust<\/a>, Andover, SP11 8DY<\/em><\/p>\n

*we were guests of the Hawk Conservancy Trust and were invited to meet the Burrowing Owls.\u00a0 All thoughts and opinions are very much my own as per usual…\u00a0<\/em><\/h6>\n

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