There is always something happening at the Trust, with highlights this summer including:
- The school summer holidays mark the return of our popular Sarson Falconer demonstration, offering you the chance to join in the display (limited spaces, sign up on arrival).
- For 2017, there is a new Young Explorer’s Trail for all intrepid adventurers looking for a challenge with the aim of earning a special treat.
- Immerse children in nature – let them discover an underwater world in our daily pond dipping sessions, or perhaps they’ll enjoy the thrill of a tractor ride around our stunning chalk downland wildflower meadow.
- Cheyenne (Bald Eagle) has returned to take part in the grand finale of our Valley of the Eagles display. Her trademark victory call and incredible soaring flight really make her stand out as a visitor favourite.
- The meadow is thriving and bursting with an array of flora and fauna in the summer. Between Monday 7 and Sunday 13 August the Trust will be running a Big Bug Bonanza for visitors to find out more about some of the species living there (exact date dependent on weather and will be announced on social media and website closer to the time).
- For 2017, we’ve launched a brand new keeper’s talk, ‘An audience with … Madeleine’ (Secretary Bird).
- It’s not every day that you can have a hawk fly to your fist – at 3pm each visitors (aged 16 and over) have the opportunity to fly a Harris’ Hawk.
- In the spring of this year, we were thrilled to announce that two White-headed Vulture chicks had hatched. They have now been named Severus and Ravenclaw, in keeping with our naming for 2017, Harry Potter. Both chicks will remain with their respective parents until later in the summer when they will be moved into a new aviary, along with Lancaster (last year’s chick) allowing their parents the space in which to potentially breed again.
- During our 3:45pm Woodland Owls display, members of the audience are invited to take part in the display as ‘human trees’. Whilst it may not sound like the most glamorous role, it does offer you the chance to see, up close, how beautiful and agile Great Grey Owls are as it swoops silently between volunteers. Make sure you volunteer next time you visit!
- Last and by no means least is our famous, frenzied ferret race! Taking place toward the end of the day and offering children to let rip as they cheer for their chosen ferret.
Bring the family to the Hawk Conservancy Trust for a day in the country; to have fun, to learn, to be inspired and to be amazed.
