Hawk Conservancy Trust Hawk Conservancy Trust news
- Thread starter bongorob
- Start date
do you know where from?
Didn't they get them from the same place that released them into the wild (onto sailsbury plain) ?
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Think i my have to visit to see them.
Yes, definately. They also have the UK's only Great Bustards on Public Display, and their flying displays are probably the best in the country. There are three: Raptors of the World in the Lower Flying Ground with exotics like caracaras and secratary, Woodland Owls & Hawks in a woded arena with, yes, lots of owls, and the best being Valley of the Eagles in Reg's Wildflower Meadow. This display usually features African Fishing Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Hooded Vulture and Black Kite (together), finishing off with an epic conclusion as the two bald eagles fly in from the distance.
The avairies are in very good condition, as is the hospital which deals with rescued raptors. The avaries for vultures (many species in one, including the Oriental White-Backs) and white-tailed eagles are very big, and the Andean Condors are very impressive.
I've done a falconer day here where I got to clean the avaries, fly the birds and give a falconer's talk, and the Owls by Moonlight venue which is of course, owls flying at night. Superb.
The avairies are in very good condition, as is the hospital which deals with rescued raptors. The avaries for vultures (many species in one, including the Oriental White-Backs) and white-tailed eagles are very big, and the Andean Condors are very impressive.
I've done a falconer day here where I got to clean the avaries, fly the birds and give a falconer's talk, and the Owls by Moonlight venue which is of course, owls flying at night. Superb.
bloodycurtus
Well-Known Member
well worth a visit they alwso havce stella sea eagles
I made my first visit for several years last week , spending an enjoyable afternoon there . The local schools were on holiday and there were lots of visitors .
A lot of new large aviaries have been built for vultures , eagles and kites though a few old pens from the Wildlife Park days remain .
Each of the 3 daily dispays takes part in a different location . Missed the morning display given in the central original location .
The 'Valley of the Eagles' at the top , overlooking Reg's meadow , which was carpeted with cowslips , was entertaining . A group of Hooded vultures flew very low over the audience , you had to duck to avoid being hit . There was a recreation of medieval falconry including flying a Bald Eagle ( they admmitted this as not authentic ) to a handler on horseback , and flying a falcon to lure . A large group of Yellow-billed and Black Kites , accompanied by the Hooded Vultures and a White-headed Vulture flew together over the audience , the kites catching food launched by catapault . The finale was another Bald Eagle flying in from way across the valley , over a mile away - needed good eyesight for this !
The final show was given in the wooded arena and mostly featured various owls flying around and over the audience , in addition a Brahminy Kite 'fished' for chicks from the surface of a pond . Much more interesting seeing owls flying amongst trees than in the open .
I got the impression that much of the smaller birds on show were for display rather than breeding - particularly the owls . I liked the method of tethering the non -aviary birds , their jesses were attached to a long metal rod which meant they were able to fly between two perches .
A good variety of vultures on show - New World King , Black and Turkey , Old World African White-backed , Cinereous , Griffon , Hooded and White-headed . The Sea eagles included pairs of White-tailed and Steller,s ( nesting ) both in very large aviaries .
A newly arrived pair of Marabou Storks were on a nesting platform in their aviary which they shared with kites and falcons . A notice said they planned to train them for display at the end of the season . There were 4 Great Bustards on show in the aviary . One of the many 'experiences' on offer was to spend the morning flying birds at the Centre , after lunch to meet their Bustards before going onto Salisbury Plain to view the wild Bustards .
I have always liked the atmosphere at the collection , having visited it over many years from the very rustic days when Reg Smith was in charge and his son Ashley , who now runs it , was a youngster helping out . It is now quite a big operation with a Bird Hospital , Hospitality facilities etc. but not overtly commercial .
A lot of new large aviaries have been built for vultures , eagles and kites though a few old pens from the Wildlife Park days remain .
Each of the 3 daily dispays takes part in a different location . Missed the morning display given in the central original location .
The 'Valley of the Eagles' at the top , overlooking Reg's meadow , which was carpeted with cowslips , was entertaining . A group of Hooded vultures flew very low over the audience , you had to duck to avoid being hit . There was a recreation of medieval falconry including flying a Bald Eagle ( they admmitted this as not authentic ) to a handler on horseback , and flying a falcon to lure . A large group of Yellow-billed and Black Kites , accompanied by the Hooded Vultures and a White-headed Vulture flew together over the audience , the kites catching food launched by catapault . The finale was another Bald Eagle flying in from way across the valley , over a mile away - needed good eyesight for this !
The final show was given in the wooded arena and mostly featured various owls flying around and over the audience , in addition a Brahminy Kite 'fished' for chicks from the surface of a pond . Much more interesting seeing owls flying amongst trees than in the open .
I got the impression that much of the smaller birds on show were for display rather than breeding - particularly the owls . I liked the method of tethering the non -aviary birds , their jesses were attached to a long metal rod which meant they were able to fly between two perches .
A good variety of vultures on show - New World King , Black and Turkey , Old World African White-backed , Cinereous , Griffon , Hooded and White-headed . The Sea eagles included pairs of White-tailed and Steller,s ( nesting ) both in very large aviaries .
A newly arrived pair of Marabou Storks were on a nesting platform in their aviary which they shared with kites and falcons . A notice said they planned to train them for display at the end of the season . There were 4 Great Bustards on show in the aviary . One of the many 'experiences' on offer was to spend the morning flying birds at the Centre , after lunch to meet their Bustards before going onto Salisbury Plain to view the wild Bustards .
I have always liked the atmosphere at the collection , having visited it over many years from the very rustic days when Reg Smith was in charge and his son Ashley , who now runs it , was a youngster helping out . It is now quite a big operation with a Bird Hospital , Hospitality facilities etc. but not overtly commercial .
I did not see an Oriental White-rumped Vulture , though it could have been off show . The Griffons were the species found in Europe , two were sharing a large aviary with 2 Cinereous Vulture - I assume a pair of each - there were nesting ledges at the far end .
Until recently they had just two adult male Bustards there. One was a confiscated bird of the Spanish race but he has died. That left just one- 'Fergus' an injured(wing -damaged) male from the release project.
Do you know anything about the other three- e.g. are they females for a captive breeding project, or are they more rescued birds from the Bustard release project?
The notice on the pen only gave details of the original 2 birds , including Fergus , which were both from the British release scheme , but injured . The Spring 2011 edition of 'Otis' , the newsletter of the release scheme does give more details .
The 3 new birds are Pink 3, 8 and 24 , all hatched in Russia last year , but injured and not suitable for release . Pink 3 and 24 will be placed in the release pen later in the Spring , where they can live safely and encourage the free-flying birds to use the pen . Pink 8 , a male , will stay at the Hawk Conservancy with Fergus .