THE BEST LOOKING BIRDS IN TOWN...ALL IN A GOOD CAUSE! (The Hawk Conservancy Trust)

Member Name: AdoraBubble

Product:	The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Date:	07/05/09 (130 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Charity, Conservation, The Birds...(obvious, I know), The Falconers and staff, Great access

Disadvantages: It's not in my backgarden!

http://www.hawk-conservancy.org/
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When the sun came out one day last May, me, the man and a picnic basket went out for the day and after a relaxing drive down the A303 we pulled into the vast free parking area of The Hawk Conservancy Trust (extra parking is also available on a busy day so no worries about leaving your car in the village and setting off for a long walk with your brood). Set down a quaint country lane in Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire just off said road; it's easy to find. Much to my delight, as a wheelchair user, the car park is part hard standing so no losing my already very dodgy footing on gravel. I'm happy and I've not even got inside yet...Yay!

On arrival there is a vast welcome notice giving you the entry time and prices etc; Time for a breakdown:

THCT (as it's fondly abbreviated) is open every day (inc Bank Holidays) mid Feb-end Oct from 10am-5.30pm. (The rest of the year they are open at weekends ONLY until 4.30pm).

As they are a charity every penny counts so gift aid is even more valuable, however they do have 2 brackets of costs (Gift Aid admission prices in bracket.):

Adults £9.09 (£10.00), Child £5.91 (£6.50), Students (age 16-18) £8 (£9.00), Seniors £8.41 (£9.25), Family Ticket (2 adults 2 children): £29.09 (£32) , extra child £5.64 (£6.20).

Please note last entry is 4pm and the above costs will be reduced by about 35-40%.

Please call 01264 773850 for information on group booking rates. They do offer the disabled/carer concession of the carer goes free if you need it and they also have several wheelchairs for public use (for a small fee) but again phone the main office for details.

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So, armed with camera and sunglasses (no need to take your picnic if you have one as you can come and go to your car as long as you retain your entry reciept) and are heading towards the entry point. *Another big cheer*: 'level access' (just the smallest of small lip to overcome at the threshold) and a kind person who will get the door for you if it is closed and you are struggling with a pushchair or the like.

You enter via the gift shop which sells their own merchandise, local produce and art (including pencil drawings by one of my favourite Falconers Paul Betchley). They have a fantastic range of souveniers, from pocket money prices, books and dvd's aswell as selling high end Swarovski binoculars and other photograhic necessitites. There is something for everybody here.

On entry to the park you will find Duffy's the cafe which serves hot and cold food throughout the day and a blackboard with the days itenarary (although you would most likely have been given a map and itenarary on entry). A typical weekday looks like this:

11:00am Wild Red Kite and Heron Feed from the hides: These are situated at the top of the park and are accessed through 2 gates due the deers that graze in the area.

11.30am Vulture Restaurant which is held at the Vulture enclosure just a short stroll from the entrance:

Here one of the fantastic knowledgable staff will give a talk about the important Vulture conservation work the Trust are involved in around the world. The decline of Vulture population is heartbreaking; Vultures are incredibly close to being extinct; Hundreds of thousands of these intelligent birds have died in the last 20 years due to the ingestion of a veterinary drug called Diclofenac which poisonous to these intelligent creatures. This dedicated team are involved and are working hard to get this drug banned. The team also feed the vultures here to show how they interact. An eye opening 20 minutes not to be missed.

11.45am World of Raptors at the lower flying grounds (these are opposite the Vulture enclosure):
Here the team will fly a variety of birds of prey and give narration throughout, on recent visit's this has included Barn Owls, Vultures, Secretary Bird and Kestrels. You will most likely be told of another of the conservation projects THCT is involved in called Fund-a-bird; an organisation to help our plundering species of Owl by making and setting up Owl boxes on and around Salisbury Plain. You get the opportunity to hold a bird of prey after this demonstration so don't rush off.

2.00pm Valley of the Eagles at Reg's Meadow (Reg's meadow was planted in memory of and named after the man who set up the trust. His son, Ashley is now the top boss and he's incredibly lovely) which is up near the Hides:

A spectacular display where eagles, kites and vultures fill the sky. I love Othello the Osprey in this demonstration. Wild Kites often join the display which is a site to see. The finale of this display is a pair of Bald Eagles who fly in from the horizon, certainly one of the best spectacles you will ever see. They fly to the Falconer's fists and in pride they let out the most amazing call. You will be in awe of these birds.

NB: (During certain times during the season there will be the opportunity to walk the meadow or take a trip on the Raptor Safari tractor and trailor ride weather permitting).

3.00pm Adults fly a Harris Hawk (aged 16 or over only) See my account photo: That is Parsley flying to my fist. A brilliant thing to do and the falconer is happy to chat and answer all bird related questions.

3.30pm Woodland Hawks and Owls: This takes place in a woodland area of the park so you get to see the Owls and some other birds in their natural habitat. There will be another chance to hold a bird of prey after this demonstration.

4.30pm Red Kite and Heron feed again at the Hides.

Between demonstrations there is plenty of ground to cover and many beautiful species of bird to see aswell as the Bird Hospital where you can see birds that are recovering. Often members of the public bring in injured birds they find and the team, led by Mike Riley, will do all they can to nurse them well again. There is a childrens play area in grounds (and fun and games for your little ones on the weekends including Runner Duck racing) and toilet facilities for both the able and disabled.

THCT also offer a fantastic range of experience days such as: Photography days, Owls by Moonlight, Bird of Prey days/half days, Family Fun Days and many more fantastic options. They can cater for birthday parties and corporate events in their new Griffon Rooms complex.

I cannot praise the people enough for their dedication, hard word, knowledge and friendliness. I would happily live here and can often be found clinging to the doorjamb for just a "few-minutes-more" at 5.30pm. I am always exhilerated and humbled by this place and am looking forward to the next visit...because there will always be a next visit (you can become a member for £40 per person per year as I did after my first visit...I had to I was in loooooove). Give them your support and pay them a visit you'll want to go back over and over.

Have I waffled...ooops! Sooooooorry! ;o) xx

Summary: The best day out in the whole world in my opinion.