Ducking Vultures At The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Ducking as a formation of five vultures skimmed over my head!
Not an experience one would think possible here in the UK but perhaps on the African savanna?
Feeding on the wing at The Hawk Conservancy Trust.
But certainly not in rural Hampshire and the Test Valley of Southern England.
However, yes its true!
At the Hawk Conservancy Trust near Andover where you can step into an African savanna situation and witness them winging above your head. As I did.
Fellow visitors crouched for cover as the birds with 2 metre wing spans flew back and forward over the arena visitor’s seating area.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover Hampshire.
Starring roles for these raptors while the audience was swooped on repeatedly by them. Missing by inches! With just faint breeze, as the birds passed by.
Vulture coming over the crowd.
Witnessing close-up the flying abilities of these creatures. Which, makes it terribly hard to understand that they are also a direct casualty of Elephant poaching in Africa.
Sadly Also Victims Of Elephant Poaching In Africa
Often dying alongside their rotting quarry in their tens or even a hundred or more.
Not that pretty, but help is needed to save them.
The attractive icon of an Africa Elephant gets much coverage in its demise. Whereas, the often regarded, ugly looking African clean-up crew hardly get a mention in the media at such events.
The Hawk Conservancy Helping To Fight Vulture Extinction
Yet they are heading towards extinction being the most persecuted bird in the world.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover Hampshire.
Four species are listed as critically endangered: the Hooded Vulture, the White-Headed Vulture, Rüppell’s Vulture, and the White-Backed Vulture.
The IUCN Red List identifies two species, the Egyptian vulture and the lappet-faced vulture, as endangered.
Eagle inbound in one of the demonstrations.
At this time in Botswana and South Africa according to Aljazeera 150 were poisoned in two incidents.
50 White Backed Vultures were found in Chobe district and in the Kruger National Park around 100 of them.
A youngster get to try a bird handling Experience.
Meanwhile, as the birds indicate high in the sky above game parks and reserves of an animal death they are a red flag as far as the poachers are concerned.
But this also, indicates to the game wardens that they can try to hunt down the poachers at such locations.
Egyptian vulture in flight.
Poisoned by the poachers the animal carcasses that the vultures and other carrion carnivores would eat suffer terrible deaths and in large numbers too!
This also affects the whole ecosystem with even animals like Lions and Hyenas also caught up in the scandal.
An All Day Adventure At The Hawk Conservancy
Although, there is some help at hand, boosting the numbers at the Trust with a vulture breeding programme. Currently working at the trust bird handler Ryan Stephens has worked in Africa and is involved with the breeding programme there.
Ryan Stephens explaining the plight of vultures in Africa.
For example, working with zoos around the world to spread the genes so that birds can be reintroduced to Africa if number continues to plummet.
In more normal times vultures in the wild clean up around 70% of the carrion left. In all there are 11 species of vultures on the continent.
Sadly it looks like 90% of all White-Backed vultures have been lost!
Personal And Family Experiences To Get Close-Up To The Birds
Your visit and spending at the trust will help to fund further research. Aiding the work done for raptors and owls here in the UK and vital projects to protect the vultures in Africa.
With three brilliant flying demonstrations throughout the day it is certainly a full all-day outing for the whole family. With extra chances to get hands on as well.
Therefore, experiences can be booked with the Trust to give visitors a chance of closer supervised encounters with the raptors including some small owls.
The cute Burrowing Owl Experience.
Full day or half day packages are bookable and there is a chance also to get close up to the tiny Burrowing Owls. Which are really cute!
As with all such visitor attractions there is a very good restaurant and gift shop at hand.
Also, access is wheelchair friendly and quite level.
There are numerous other hawks and falcons on show plus there is a National Bird of Prey Hospital on the site.
Entry Fees:
Currently entry fees are: Adult £16:50 Children £12:50 Student /Senior £15:50
Multiple experience packages best check website for further details.
These are the popular ones: Half Day Experiences Falconers/ Photographic £87:50
Full Day (Inc Lunch) Experiences Falconers/ Photographic £165:50
Burrowers VIP Experience £19:50
Place to stay 7 mins away: https://graymanorhotel.co.uk/
As a place to stay for exploring North Hampshire’s wildlife attractions, the Gray Manor Hotel is a great choice. Situated a short drive form The Hawk Conservancy, it nestles in the Test Valley and is convenient for the main east west A303 trunk road too.
Extensive grounds surround the red brick former manor house and its contemporary rooms cater for couples and families. It’s also a popular wedding venue.
Wildlife attractions Gray Manor Hotel location is perfect.
Dining in main dining room or the bar area plus on the exterior patio. The menu has a good variety of food and the hot breakfast choice was cooked exactly as requested.
Staff were helpful, friendly and quick to respond to requests. A comfortable bed, spacious room and bathroom provided exactly what was needed on this over night trip to the Test Valley.
The hotel is also very close to the Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm.
Local Area: Test Valley
