HawkTalk Issue 92 Winter 2022

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HAWKTALK WINTER 2022 ISSUE 92

African Sunset Safari We couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather at this years’ African Sunset Safari events! With the sun slowly setting against a crystal-clear sky, Bird Team members Tom Morath and Ben Cox transported over 400 guests to the African savannah. Our African birds of course stole the show, with speedy flights from our Lanner Falcon, and swooping close encounters with our Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl and Barn Owl (known as a Grass Owl across the plains of Africa). The stunning finale of these evenings saw kites and vultures, more than in our daily displays, soar over the audience, reminding them of what beautiful wildlife in Africa is at risk of extinction without important conservation efforts. Events round-up

Wildebeest in the Potting Shed An evening of laughter and fond memories; Hawk Conservancy Trust Life President and Founder Ashley Smith delighted an intimate audience this October with tales from the Trust’s past. It was Ashley’s parents, Reg and Hilary Smith, who bought Sarson Farm (the site of the Trust) in the 1950s. In 1965, the year Ashley was born, it became Weyhill Zoo. Ashley worked there as a child after school and at weekends, and started full-time at 16. From cheeky macaws and prowling wolves, to the first birds of prey to call the site home, Ashley shared heartwarming and humorous memories of the animals who have featured in his life from an early age until the long established charity the Trust is today! International Vulture Awareness Day Thank you to everyone who joined us for International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) this year on Saturday 3 September! We had a wonderful day talking to all of our visitors about these amazing birds, and raising funds towards a satellite tag for our project tracking Egyptian Vultures in central Asia. As well as a Vulture Fact Trail around the grounds, our lucky visitors on the day were treated to more vultures than usual soaring in our flying displays, including a cheeky appearance from Black Vultures Chips and Pike during our Woodland Owls display! Visitors also got the chance to get to know Burdock the Turkey Vulture with a close encounter in our Brilliant Bird Brains. We also recreated a buffalo poisoning scene, showcasing how Poison Response Kits funded by the Trust can intercept these tragic events, saving the lives of hundreds of vultures.

African Sunset Safari

Exciting new developments

We’re delighted to welcome school groups to our new Outdoor Classroom, named in memory of our former Director, John Ellicock. Situated near to the Adventure Playground, this designated area has a range of brand new educational equipment and resources and will host educational visits and workshops together with a garden area to explore nature. These developments have been made possible due to funding from the Loddon and Test LEADER Programme and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

We’re thrilled to make you aware of some new developments that have taken place at the Trust. During your next visit, you will notice that we now have six electric car charging points which will both allow those visitors with electric cars to visit the Trust and improve our collective environmental impact. Look out for the two large wooden towers that have appeared near to Reg’s Wildflower Meadow. More will be unveiled about these towers, but we can tell you that we have some exciting plans in place for a new display at 2:00pm in 2023. Watch this space!