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Spreading our wings in the north

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We are delighted to embark on a new conservation partnership between the Hawk Conservancy Trust and Kynren – The Storied Lands.  The partnership will support the development of conservation and research work focused on birds of prey across the North East of England, expanding knowledge about bird of prey populations in the region and contributing to wider national research efforts.

The same methodologies used for the Trust’s Raptor Nest Box Project (RNBP) and Raptor Survey Project will be applied to the project in the North East. Field surveys, habitat analysis and a variety of other conservation monitoring approaches will be used to help strengthen the understanding of status of birds of prey populations in northern England. Centred on County Durham and surrounding areas, the project will be developed in collaboration with other organisations and interested parties to complement ongoing ornithological research in the North East.

 

By bringing together data, observations and expertise from a range of sources, the project with Kynren hopes to operate on a larger scale than previously seen, building a clearer picture of how bird of prey populations are faring and identifying opportunities to support their long-term conservation.

A central focus will be the Kestrel, one of Britain’s most recognisable birds of prey that is now Amber listed as a species of conservation concern, with populations declining in many areas of the UK for reasons that are not yet fully understood.

The Trust’s long-term Kestrel research programme in southern England, has been running for more than a decade to investigate these trends and through the new partnership, similar research will begin in the North of England, allowing findings from different parts of the country to be compared and contribute valuable information to the national picture.

Dr Matt Stevens, British Projects Manager at the Trust, is working closely with staff from Kynren who will work alongside volunteers to play an important role in the programme.  This will create new opportunities for people with an interest in wildlife and conservation to become directly involved in research and fieldwork.

Kynren – The Storied Lands opens this summer in Bishop Auckland, County Durham as the UK’s first live-action daytime park, featuring five spectacular shows and immersive experiences inspired by history, myth and legend. Set within the wider park, The Lost Feather sees more than 250 birds take to the skies in an awe-inspiring story of flight and conservation.

Penny Smout, CEO of the Hawk Conservancy Trust, said: “We are pleased to be working with Kynren and The Lost Feather to extend our research and conservation efforts into another part of the country.

“Partnerships like this help build knowledge over time and encourage people to engage with the conservation of birds of prey in their own communities.”

Jimmy Robinson, Curator of Birds and Conservation at The Lost Feather, said: “This partnership gives us the opportunity to contribute to the wider understanding of birds of prey in the North East while working alongside other organisations and individuals who already care deeply about these species.

“By sharing data, experience and expertise we can help strengthen the evidence base th  at supports long term conservation.” As well as Kestrels, the nest box programme will also support Barn Owls, Tawny Owls and Little Owls. The aim being to increase the nesting opportunities for these species across a landscape where the availability of natural cavities and other traditional nest sites may have declined.  Data generated from the Raptor Survey Project will help us to identify the current status of raptor species across the North East and help in targeting future conservation actions.

The research programme will begin this year and is intended to develop over the coming years as further partnerships, volunteers and research opportunities emerge.

A powerful impression

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Africa update for July 2026

At the end of May and into June, our Conservation and Research Coordinator, Dr Jamie McKaughan, spent several weeks visiting two of our field sites in South Africa. Once he got back to the Trust later in June, we caught up with him to find out all about his trip.

“It was so great to be back in South Africa! I only realised as I was getting on the plane at Heathrow, that I was returning six years to the day that I had last left South Africa (after living and working there for several years right up in the north of Limpopo Province). While I wouldn’t be returning to where I had been before, it left me with a small smile as I reflected on another one of life’s small coincidental quirks as I embarked on my trip to places new.

The first part of the trip was to the Kimberley area, where I linked up with our African Projects Manager, André Botha, and local ornithologist Angus Anthony, whose work has long been supported by the Trust. Angus had been collecting data in the area since 1993, and his wealth of knowledge and experience is incredible. We spent a few days in the field collecting data on signs of nesting by African White-backed Vultures and resighting previously tagged birds to track returning individuals to the area and perhaps to specific nests too! Angus introduced me to several people that we have worked with closely over the decades of our involvement in the Kimberley area and also showed me around the area, taking me to different properties he surveys nests on, various different individual nest sites, feeding locations, and the ever-present looming scars of man littering the skyline of the Kimberley area – the energy infrastructure of huge pylons and trains of powerlines long into the distance.

 

It was a wonder how these vultures could make such large-scale use of the area with such hazards stretching far and wide and of course… high. Angus was a fountain of knowledge and picking his brain on all sorts about these incredible birds, this amazing landscape and just all his life and career stories so far was very enjoyable. It was not a landscape I had seen before – a semiarid transitional mix with savanna, grassland, Kalahari Thornveld and Nama Karoo biomes intersecting, while the properties themselves straddle two provinces – the Northern Cape and the Freestate. And then, as I touched on already… the powerlines. They’re virtually inescapable – visible in almost every direction you look. What was also incredible to see were these vultures making use of these pylons for nesting. I saw a few of them, and it was a scene that gave me a mix of thoughts and emotions… firstly, just how much we impact this world for the worse in so many different ways; secondly, the incredible adaptability of nature to try and make the best of it when we continue to make it harder and harder for species to survive (although notable to say that it is not without increased risks – I wouldn’t fancy the consequences of the voltage that one small wrong step or wing placement could bring); and thirdly, I couldn’t really draw my eyes or mind away from what I still find quite hard to describe now – a kind of almost sombre beauty of these majestic birds perched on this industrial metal scene across the skyline… quite depressingly remarkable.

 

 

Having come from a large terrestrial carnivore background, I also found the ecosystem of the Kimberley area very interesting. While we were out and about, we followed a huge kettle of vultures in the sky and sadly found a Giraffe carcass that appeared to have died of natural causes – perhaps falling victim to one of their powerful mating battles. The carcass had drawn in huge numbers of vultures, including a Lappet-faced Vulture and several Cape Vultures, along with the masses of White-backed Vultures and the seemingly compulsory presence of Pied Crows too. Such occasion can provide a great opportunity to resight many tagged individuals in a short amount of time – incredibly valuable data. Regardless, the reason I mention it, is that despite the huge numbers of vultures in the area and at the Giraffe carcass, they had hardly eaten any of it – ultimately a reflection of the environment they inhabit here. Some animals have too thick a skin for the vultures to penetrate with their beaks – even the Lappets, despite the common quip that they are needed to open up a carcass for other vultures, this just isn’t the case. What it is reflective of however, is the lack of terrestrial carnivores in the area – I found this element really fascinating. This huge carcass was there and available as a food source, but they were unable to access so much of it without the strong jaws of some mammals first tearing it open for them… the interweaving of relationships between species in nature front and centre – incredible. We lent a helping hand for the vultures, creating some openings, and within a couple of days the carcass was cleared to a skeleton, quite the contrast.

Next it was time to travel overland with André (a two-day drive!), east to Kruger National Park, where our Lappet-faced Vulture nesting tree project is underway, spending a further week carrying out fieldwork and meeting a few different people we have worked with in the area, including Martin – a game ranger in the park who has long assisted Campbell, in his time off duty, with monitoring some of the vulture nest trees, including some of the very few Lappet-faced Vulture nest trees. The landscape was quite the contrast, with instead of the pylons and powerlines being the most noticeable thing, the lack of trees but also, of the trees that were present, just how many of them were stripped of branches or torn down and lying on the floor from elephants foraging was the overwhelming vision! The landscape of Kruger differs markedly from that of Kimberley anyway – although being such a large park, naturally has some variation – but even so, it felt quite bleak in a way.

Due to the accessibility issues still impacting Kruger following the devastating flooding faced earlier in the year– it made it in some ways, hard to grasp the positivity of our efforts so far and plans for more. Nonetheless, observing some African White-backed Vultures on nests and also through the binoculars some Lappet-faced Vultures on some other trees felt positive, and renewed my enthusiasm for the worthwhileness of our cause in spite of their declining numbers and the numerous challenges these birds face. I was also very lucky to get a few other enjoyable spots – with a couple of vulture feeding frenzies, a Secretary Bird stamping through the long grasses, and nesting Bataleurs and Verreaux’s Eagle Owls some major highlights!

 

These sightings were particularly pleasing given the huge amount of flooding Kruger had and the general disruption and chaos this might have caused… Although perhaps, it was us who felt the impacts of the weather more than the animals – here’s hoping eh?!

Now that I am back, I am very much looking forward to further discussions with André and Angus on proceeding with various different plans we discussed while I was in South Africa – there are exciting times ahead, and hopefully these can have some really tangible outputs in our mission to conserve these awesome birds and their habitats.”

New Owl calls the Trust home

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It is always an exciting moment when a new bird arrives to live with us here at the Trust. Very often, a bird will arrive here as a partner for another bird as part of conservation breeding programmes or, at the very least, they are a species that we’ve cared for here before. From time to time though, we get the opportunity to work with not only a brand new individual but a completely new species to us.

At the end of June, the Bird Team excitedly welcomed a young Greyish Eagle-Owl who it is hoped will become a part of the Wings of Africa display and take a starring role in some of our special evening events and experiences.

 

This is a species that you may have never heard of before so let me give you a bit of background. The Greyish Eagle-Owl (also known as a Vermiculated Eagle-Owl – a more inspiring name in my book!) is a sub-Saharan species of owl that preys upon small mammals, reptiles and large insects – typically hunting them from a still perch. They have even been seen waiting at cave entrances for bats to emerge before hunting them on the wing and catching them mid-flight!

Once grown, this little one’s feathers will be (unsurprisingly) grey-ish with lots of beautiful markings, allowing them to camouflage perfectly within their habitat around cliffs, caves or against the bark of a tree. This is something I can’t wait to see come to life against the bark of the tree now installed in our Savannah Arena which also doubles as a vulture nesting tree as part of the show.

At the moment, the name of the game for this youngster is ‘growing, growing and more growing’! Even in the short time this owl has been with us, they have grown massively – from around 260g to over 350g. Like so many birds of prey they have a fast growth rate that needs to be backed up with a ready and regular supply of food. Incredibly, by the time this owl reaches just 10 weeks old most of the growing will be done. As a member of the team who lives here on-site, it makes perfect sense that the job of round the clock feeds – early in the morning and late into the evening – fell to me. To be the first person to care for this little bird before they become a full member of our flying team later in the year is an honour. Senior Bird Team Member, Ryan, is planned to take over once training begins and what a treat he has in store.

You may have noticed that I’ve not mentioned this bird by sex – at the moment that is an unknown. As they grow, we’ll likely find out as females are bigger than the males. I’ve also not mentioned a name. That’s also an unknown – look out for us asking you for help with naming this youngster on our social media channels very soon!

I, for one cannot wait to see how this little bird grows and eagerly await the first display ever at the Hawk Conservancy Trust to feature a Greyish Eagle-Owl. In the meantime come and see, you may be lucky enough to spot him or her in one of the aviaries as they settle in, if you visit us over the coming weeks.

The brains behind the operation: Sirius & Flo

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Our Striated Caracara: Sirius and our Crested Caracara: Flo, have both moved aviaries recently. They are now near to our Savannah Arena so as Head of Lower Section of the Trust, means that I now get the pleasure of looking after them on a day-to-day basis.

It’s been very exciting to get my own little Caracara corner of the Trust; I adore working with both species, getting to see their amazing intelligence and abundance of character.  With both of these species being big problem solvers in the wild, it’s very important that we provide them plenty of enrichment opportunities.

Enrichment can be anything we add into our birds’ lives that stimulates cognitive engagement, wellbeing, physical health and encourages natural behaviour. An enrichment example are the flying routines in our demonstrations.

We want our birds to have an engaging life both in and out of their aviary, so when they’re not flying it’s a chance to focus in their aviary on enrichment that engages their different senses or more in depth, tricky problem solving.

Caracaras tend to be confident and curious birds, Sirius and Flo are both wonderful examples of this. These traits make it easy to introduce a large variety of enrichment to them quickly, both have enjoyed things such as puzzle feeders, eggs to crack open, Kongs with insects inside, a ball pit and even a custom made kerplunk style feeder that both swiftly figured out how to ‘solve’ (break) in unique ways!

Sometimes though, you can’t beat a classic. Despite the variety of things we have offered them, both birds are still very fond of a cardboard box filled with newspaper, cardboard tubes and egg cartons sometimes with the occasional hidden treat. In either case, give them an hour and you’ll come back to an aviary full of confetti! Sirius loves to display his shredded newspaper in every corner of his home while Flo prefers to take egg cartons and create a pile of finely shredded cardboard.

It’s an absolute joy to see their personalities shine through in these activities and if you’d like to see it for yourself keep an eye out when visiting or you may get a chance to see it during our species spotlight.

Samik’s Marion Paviour Award Update – Stepping in the right direction

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Our 2025 Marion Paviour Award winner, Samik Bista, has been making some great progress with his project.

Samik’s project seeks to address critical knowledge gaps about Steppe Eagles in Nepal. Steppe Eagles are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are a wide-ranging migratory species and face a high risk of decline, primarily driven by the loss of steppe habitat, compounded by poisoning, persecution and power line collisions. Despite regular winter sightings in Hetauda, Nepal, very little is known about what habitat they are using and what local threats they face. By undertaking field surveys in the area around Hetauda, he hopes to evaluate the species’ current status including its distribution, habitat preferences, and the threats it continues to face. Samik’s project will also implement targeted conservation awareness programmes to engage local communities and stakeholders, encouraging a shared commitment to protecting Steppe Eagles and the habitats they depend on.

So far, Samik’s project has supported and collaborated closely with the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) Hetauda, to conduct the IFSA Hetauda Cultural Night, along with three days of exhibitions, quizzes, and capacity-building activities. The program also included a Youth Parliamentary Model discussion session focused on ecosystem and biodiversity conservation. Overall, this collaboration connected and engaged more than 150 forestry university students – a really encouraging number! Some of Samik’s community work even included a pangolin rescue. As pangolins are also highly threatened by the illegal wildlife trade, it is encouraging to see local residents taking an active role in protecting these species as well.

Since then, Samik has also recently completed the main phase of data collection and monitoring for the project. This involved systematic field surveys focused on Steppe Eagle observations, habitat use, and distribution within the study area. Alongside this, Samik and his team also conducted monitoring unit training with local participants and team members to improve their knowledge and enhance the capacity and reliability of data collection from local fieldworkers through standardised data collection methods. The training has helped ensure consistency in the observation techniques used, recording procedures, and basic field monitoring protocols – ultimately ensuring more robust and reliable data too!

Having completed the intensive data collection phase, Samik now plans to return to more engagement-focused and capacity-building activities through a variety of conservation campaigns. These efforts will help underpin the long-term sustainability of the project and support its ability to achieve his key objectives – improving understanding of Steppe Eagle populations in the region, increasing public awareness, reducing the key threats they face, and strengthening long-term conservation efforts for this endangered predator.

We are excited to see how Samik progresses with the remainder of his project and are pleased to be contributing to this important work to help these Endangered eagles.

 

Will romance flourish for Mamba, our White-headed Vulture?

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Ryan Stephens, Senior member of the Bird Team at the Hawk Conservancy Trust, has been the lucky chap working most closely with Mamba recently, one of our very impressive White-headed Vultures. Ryan reflects on how things have been going lately, as she reaches a poignant stage in her life. Mamba celebrated her 8th birthday with us this year, which means that she arrived at the point in her life where we would like to explore potential breeding opportunities for her. Listed as a Critically Endangered species under the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the preservation of this species within the zoological community is vital work we are a part of.

Mamba belongs to the EAZA Ex-Situ Breeding Programme (EEP), this a programme which manages species across EAZA organisations (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria), maximising breeding success and sharing vital knowledge between its participants. Whilst this may seem like a dating agency for birds, it is a highly organised, thorough and important programme that connects organisations to maintain a healthy population, when their counterparts in the wild are facing increasing threats to their status.

As part of this programme, for the past few years Mamba has been paired up with a Male named Arthur. The pair got on relatively well, but it was clear that it was not a budding romance; this may have been because of Arthur’s age (he is an elderly gentleman). So, Arthur has now joined an older female at another EEP participating zoo, and our plan is to plant the seeds of romance between Mamba and one of our home-grown boys, Ravenclaw. Both Mamba and Ravenclaw are roughly the same age, he is a touch more confident than Arthur and he has a little more energy for the job to keep up with his potential younger partner.

After many years of breeding success with vultures at the Trust, we have found one of the best ways to build a relationship between individual birds is for them to fly side by side during our demonstrations. Mamba is now becoming a regular sight in our ‘Masters of the Sky’ demonstration where she is learning the ropes and building confidence alongside Ravenclaw. We believe that we may be witnessing the ‘Milk Tray’ stage of the relationship beginning to unfold; tentative glances, quiet moments, and a growing awareness of one another. All being well, 2026 will be the year their bond truly develops — not just side by side, but in flight. There is something truly magical about seeing a partnership form in the air, and we are hopeful that visitors may get to see this romance unfolding before their eyes.

 

With our established breeding pairs of White-headed Vultures now starting to get on a little in years, it is really exciting to start introducing a new generation into the team. Our birds Mamba and Ravenclaw were both born here at the Trust, so it will be a truly magical moment if we get to see this pair carry the torch for the next generation. Book your next visit to the Trust to see Mamba fly in our Masters of the Sky demonstration.

In the field with Gary

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‘For twenty-five years, the Hawk Conservancy Trust has worked on and supported a long-term ringing project for African White-backed Vultures in South Africa. Supported by De Beers and working with local partners the Endangered Wildlife Trust and BirdLife South Africa, plus other partners including Gauntlet Conservation Trust and Puy du Fou, Trust team members spend two weeks each breeding season ringing chicks. With former lead and Head of Development at the Trust Andy Hinton now retired, this season Patrick King and I represented the Trust.

The main focus is across De Beers’ Dronfield Reserve, an area with one of the biggest and most important breeding colonies of Critically Endangered African White-backed Vultures. Each morning, the team are usually up at the crack of dawn, where we meet for a briefing with Project Leader Angus Anthony on where the nests are located that we will be checking that day. The nests are mapped out following checks carried out by Angus earlier in the season, establishing if they are likely to be used by a pair for rearing their young. A plan is made and then we’re all jumping into the vehicles and heading out into the wild!

As we approach a potential nesting tree, there’s a few key signs we look for to see if the nest is being used. A key sign is parents sitting on the nest, that usually fly off as our vehicles pull up, circling overhead or keeping watch from a neighbouring tree. We also check for signs of life, like feathers on the ground or a ‘white-wash’ of vulture poo in the branches – these are usually signs someone is home.

If it all looks viable, it’s time to split up. The tree team’s job involves securing a ladder, climbing the tree and popping the young vulture into a basket which is then winched down to the ground team. This team then carry out a general health check on the chick, take its measurements, and fit them with an identification leg ring. The chick is then lifted back into the nest before we pack down and move to the next nest, repeating the process until we start to lose the light. The team aim to visit around twenty nests a day, before heading back to camp for a good wash ready to begin the process all over again at first light.

Each nest visit takes around 15-20 minutes, where the parents are often sitting close by, waiting to come back as you start driving away. It’s always nice to see them flying back to the nest as we drive off to the next nesting site. From all the nests we checked, most of the chicks we ringed were around 6-11 weeks old. At this point they’re mostly fully grown, with lots of feathers and nearly ready to leave the nest. Happily, most looked fairly healthy. With no rhinos on this reserve, the risk of carcasses being poisoned is a lot less. We did happen to see a few carcasses on our drives, with many vultures feasting there. This was a real positive. Luckily, we only came across one deceased chick – about eight weeks old, with no real clear reason as to what had happened.

One of the moments that really stood out to me on this trip was visiting a nest with a very young chick in it. Most chicks are at a feisty age and let you know they’d rather be staying put in their comfy nest! But this one was a real tiny youngster, probably only a week or two old. It was small enough to fit in your cupped hands, and a real fluff-ball! It was absolutely gorgeous, and everyone gathered round to coo and have a look.

You can usually tell when approaching a tree whether it’s an active nest from those signs of life. If you pull up and the parents don’t fly off until the very last minute, sometimes it indicates they are sitting on an egg, or even a very young chick that is only a few days old and still heavily reliant on the parents. If this is the case, we’ll give the nest site a scan using a camera attached to the end of a very long extendable pole to check on how it’s getting on. If it’s too small to ring, we’ll leave it be.

This data is all still recorded, as well as other sightings of nests, wildlife and activity we see on our drives across the savannah.

As we were in the area, which is in the middle of nowhere, we also checked in on a Secretary Bird nest that had been recorded as potentially active earlier in the season. Amazingly, the nest had three beautiful chicks in it! We saw lots of other birds of prey, including a Secretary Bird actually hunting using the iconic kick we’ve all come to love, and one bobbing its head down into the grasses to feast on insects. On one drive we spotted a Martial Eagle surveying its surroundings from a telegraph pole, and we even saw a pair of Lanner Falcons hunting together – a male and female picking off their next meal from a group of Starlings.

As you’re driving through these immense and massive environments, you do get to see so much. We saw herds of giraffe, packs of lions, African Wild Dogs, Spotted Hyenas and more. What wewere constantly warned of, was that we were   surrounded by things that do want to eat you! Whether it’s thorny plants, spikey bushes, or animals looking for their next meal. We were interrupted during one nest check by a herd of Buffalo, from which we quickly jumped back into the vehicles for cover. One nest tree even had a Sociable Weaver Bird nest with an unwanted visitor – a Boomslang! The most venomous snake in all of Africa, which quickly slithered into the tree branches and watched us as we worked.

As well as the actual monitoring work we are doing, there is also a huge emphasis on education. We chat to the farmers whose land borders the reserves, engaging in ways they can protect their land and livestock without needing to poison carcasses that might affect the vultures. Last year we held a talk at a local school on vulture conservation and why it’s so important – and sitting in that classroom watching the next generation learn to love and appreciate vultures as much as we do was a truly touching moment that really felt full circle.

It’s been a privilege to be a part of this long-standing project. Every nest reached, every chick counted, and every conversation with a farmer adds up to something bigger—a future where these important birds still fly high above. Being a part of this conservation work, even for a short time, is a humbling reminder of why what we do matters and why we must keep fighting for the species that cannot speak for themselves.

 

 

The winner of the 2025 Marion Paviour Award!

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We are very excited to announce our 2025 Marion Paviour Award winner – Samik Bista!

Samik’s work will be on the stunning Steppe Eagle. These Endangered eagles get their name from their preferred breeding habitat – the steppes of Central Asia. While the current estimate for their global population stands at just over 31,000 pairs and around 94,000 individuals in total, this is based on studies from 2015 and 2016, and there may well be fewer now as their population trend is declining.

Alarmingly, a study in 2014 showed that Steppe Eagles are also impacted by exposure to diclofenac (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat livestock) in the same way that many vultures in South Asia are and have been – a major conservation concern that we have worked on for many years. The use of these toxic NSAIDs have resulted in an unprecedented decline in vulture population numbers in South Asia. This serves to underline the importance of our work with our partners in Asia to help remove toxic NSAIDs from the market but also the need for wider collaborations and work on different species, such as with our Marion Paviour Award winners, to try and best conserve and protect as many birds of prey as possible.

Samik’s work will take place in Nepal, where a considerable amount of work to ban NSAIDs and make the environment safer for birds of prey has already happened and is yielding positive results for vulture populations. Threats to vultures and other birds of prey still exist here nonetheless, and Samik’s work will look at how to address some of these and encourage long-term and sustainable protection of these birds through engaging communities in this work.

Hear from Samik below as he introduces himself and his project and what winning the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s Marion Paviour Award means to him.

“My name is Samik Bista, and I am leading a project titled “Breaking Barriers to Steppe Eagle Conservation through Research, Education, and Community Action in Hetauda, Central Nepal.” The Steppe Eagle, listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, is experiencing rapid population decline from threats including habitat loss, persecution, and collisions with powerlines. Despite regular winter sightings in Hetauda, very little is known about what habitat they are using and what local threats they face. Through systematic surveys and community engagement, this project aims to generate vital data, identify key habitats, and inspire local stewardship for Steppe Eagle conservation.

The Marion Paviour Award will be transformative in enabling both research and community action. It will directly support our field surveys, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programs, allowing us to train local birdwatchers and students as ‘Steppe Eagle Guardians.’ Beyond funding, this award provides recognition and encouragement that strengthens my commitment to raptor research and conservation. It will help me develop advanced field, analytical, and leadership skills essential for my long-term goal of becoming a conservation biologist dedicated to protecting birds of prey and promoting community-based wildlife conservation across Nepal.”

Come along to the Trust to see Stilton, our Steppe Eagle, as he showcases these stunning birds, helping raise awareness about the species and the realities the wild population faces.

Halloween Half Term events in Hampshire

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Have a Hawk Conservancy Trust Halloween!

Over the October half term (Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November) enjoy an autumnal day out in the Hampshire countryside, surrounded by the beauty of nature as the seasons change, and our beautiful birds swooping and soaring overhead. PLUS spooky added extras for this week only – all included in your ticket price!

Spooky Owl Show

If you go down to the woods this week, you’re in for a spooky surprise! During October half term only, our Woodland Wonders flying display transforms into our special Spooky Owl Show. Bring the family along to enjoy this exclusive display with special effects and spooky storytelling. Be prepared to duck as our mystical owls swoop overhead!

FREE pumpkin trail!

Over the October half term, as well as our world-class flying displays, there’s plenty going on during our daily timetable to fill your day! Let the kids blow off steam on our free GIANT Pumpkin Trail – will they be able to find our pumpkins around the Trust and gather the ingredients a special potion? Included as part of your spooky half term visit.

LAST CHANCE to see our summer birds

This week is the last of our summer timetable – why not come and see our summer birds for one more visit before their winter rest? You could see Angola the Secretary Bird show off his incredible snake-kicking skills in Wings of Africa, or watch our biggest birds soaring high over Reg’s Wildflower Meadow during Masters of the Sky.

Looking for a different family activity this Halloween?

Make this year Owl-O-Ween instead! On Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 October, under the moonlit sky, venture into the dark for this wickedly wonderful family event. Get into the Owl-O-Ween spirit and don your best costumes before heading out into the darkness for an evening of ghostly tales brought to life before your very eyes with acting, narration, special effects and, of course, our mysterious owls. Enjoy two enthralling flying displays over the course of the evening, plus a special opportunity to explore the Trust under the light of the moon at this special time of year.

Meet Sorcha!

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We’re delighted to introduce Sorcha, our 2025 Conservation and Research Intern! We are grateful to the Cameron Bespolka Trust for funding this Internship. Over the past few weeks she’s been getting stuck in carrying out onsite biodiversity surveys, supporting our Research Assistant, Tanith, surveying small mammal populations, and so much more!

‘Having grown up visiting the Hawk Conservancy Trust, I am thrilled to be back as a Conservation and Research Intern for the next few months. It has already been a busy couple of weeks, and I have loved getting involved with the various tasks here at the Trust.

I have a BSc in Zoology and an MSc in Taxonomy, Biodiversity and Evolution and my main area of study has been on Lepidoptera, moths in particular. Having completed my master’s in taxonomy, I realised I would like to return to the world of conservation and spent the last year conducting surveys and conservation management tasks with various local wildlife groups as well as helping with cetacean research in Scotland. Getting to work with some incredible people during this time and contribute to the important work they are doing, I asserted that I wanted to pursue a career in conservation and this internship presented itself at the perfect time.

On-site biodiversity monitoring is in full swing this time of year and it has been lovely to see just how much diversity the Trust provides for, from moths and butterflies to birds and small mammals and the beautiful flowers starting to make an appearance in Reg’s Wildflower Meadow. On-site and off-site small mammal trapping has also begun for the year; we do this as a method of monitoring prey populations of our native birds of prey which is essential to get a full picture for how the populations are coping and what we can do to help. Under the excellent tutelage of Jamie and Tanith, the Conservation and Research Coordinator and Research Assistant here at the Trust, I have already learnt so much and I am really looking forward to the rest of the season.

I have also been able to practice using various pieces of data analysis and visualisation software, including R and GIS. Etc. Having not used them since finishing university a year ago I have become quite rusty, but I am really enjoying getting back into it and I hope to be able to continue these skills into the future.

In the short time I have been here I have already learnt invaluable skills and truly gained an insight into the incredible ethos the Trust team has for birds of prey and conservation in general. It has been an absolute delight to be a part of the team and the work they do, and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the internship takes me!’

We’re delighted that Sorcha has joined the Trust, thanks to funding from the Cameron Bespolka Trust.  We are delighted to be working with The Cameron Bespolka Trust, a charity that has been set up in memory of Cameron and his passion for wildlife. Cameron was a young naturalist who loved nature and in particular birds.  Their main aim is to inspire and encourage young people to love and appreciate wildlife and our environment, which is a shared aim of ours at the Hawk Conservancy Trust.  We need young conservationists of the future to help us achieve our mission – the conservation of birds of prey and their habitats.  The internships will offer hands-on experience with public engagement and education for conservation, fieldwork, analysis, and science communication while supporting the Trust’s on-site biodiversity work.

 

 

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