The Falconry Centre, Near Birmingham, West MidlandsEVENTSThis is now an annual event of our special Halloween Owl Display Evening at the centre. This will consist of a wide variety of owl species being flown at a time when they would naturally be active. They will fly very close to people and a commentary will be given throughout. Species flown will be from a selection of : Little Owl, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Long-eared Owl, Chaco Owl, different Eagle Owls and Snowy Owl. Tickets available via Paypal below, over the phone (01562 700014) or at the centre. Duration: 6.00pm to 7.30pm, Cost £8.50 per person. (Places are limited and we operate on a first-come first-serve basis).
NEWS Last updated: 22/06/10 PEREGRINE UPDATEThe two young wild Peregrine falcons brought in to us (see below), were sucessfully released on 14th June. They were taken back up to the nest site where there was still another sibling present. Within 30 minutes of being put back, the parents were seen to be feeding them. It is thought that the nest site was disturbed and meant that these birds fledged too early, hopefully now they will fledge at the right time without any problems. PEREGRINE FALCONS On 11th June two young female Peregrine falcons were brought into the centre from the RSPCA. Both of these birds had just fledged from a nest in the north of Birmingham. The best course of action is to relocate them back to the nest from where they came and then the parents can teach them vital survival skills. Unfortunately access cannot be gained to the nest site until Monday (14th June) due to site being closed for the weekend. The falcons will be housed at the centre (off display) until then. We are working with the RSPB to ensure these birds get released as soon as possible. TWO SMALL NEW RESIDENTSTo complement some of our new larger birds we now have two young smaller birds. These are a Common Kestrel and a White-faced Scops Owl. They were both hatched in May 2010 and are being hand-raised. Both of these birds will be trained for our educational work with schools and used on our experience sessions at the centre. NEW OWLET HATCHED A chick has hatched from our most unusual species of owl housed at the centre - the Asian Brown Wood Owl. He/she has been named 'Woody' and will be hand-raised to become part of our flying team of birds at the centre. Photographs of his/her development will be posted on the Asian Brown Wood Owl species page.
 VERY SPECIAL ARRIVAL: MARCH 2010
At the end of March a very large addition arrived at the centre. He is a young Himalayan Vulture. He has been named' Feathers' and has settled in very well. Weighing over 9kg (or 20 lbs) with a 2.75 metre (9 feet) wingspan he is now the largest bird housed at the centre. NEW BIRDS: WINTER 2010 We have passed our two Black Kites onto another centre for breeding as they were too nervous to fly at the centre. They have been replaced by another Black Kite which has been used for displays before and doing very well after 10 days here. We also have a new male Golden Eagle which will be flown and used for educational visits this year. He may then be used for breeding with our female next year. IMPROVEMENTS AT THE CENTREDuring the early months of 2010, we have refurbished the seating area and also improved the shop and entrance to the centre. Hopefully a new decked area will be ready for Easter to accomodate the growing numbers coming to watch our daily flying displays.
NEW VULTUREIn November 2009 we acquired a new White-backed Vulture- "George". He will be trained in early 2010 and then used at the centre and at some of our Outside Events. ADDITION OF BRITISH SPECIES Over the summer of 2009 we added two more species of birds of prey to the team at the centre. These are a Long-eared Owl and a Merlin. Both of these are native species but not very commonly seen in the wild in the UK. They will both be used as part of our very important education work where we take birds of prey into schools for children to see and experience them up close. For more information about our visits to schools click here.
MORE NEW ARRIVALS: 2009We have now added a male Tawny Eagle and male Striated Caracara to the Falconry Centre's collection. These birds will be flown and eventually may be paired up with the females of each species that we already house. FULLY WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLEWe are very pleased to announce that the Falconry Centre is now fully accessible to pushchairs and wheelchairs. New concrete paths have been laid around the centre to make it easier and safer for people to get around and view the birds. WINGS OUT OF AFRICA DISPLAY TEAMNew for 2009 is our 'Wings Out of Africa' Display team that features all African species of raptor. The team is progressing very well and most are now retrained and flying free after being allowed to moult through the winter (12/03/09). The first display of the year for them is at Thame Country Show, Oxfordshire on 11th, 12th and 13th April. For more information see our new 'Wings out of Africa' page. NEW ARRIVALS: 2009The first new arrival to the centre for 2009 is a Striated Caracara. She has been named "Chile" and will hopefully be trained by Easter. As we added so many new birds last year, only a few are planned for 2009. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT:The Falconry Centre has added many new species of birds to the collection during 2008 and this is mostly due to the support of people through being visitors to the centre or on one of our Experience Days. Our main aim at the centre is to educate people about these amazing birds of prey and we have greatly improved the centre through refurbishment to enhance the experience of our visitors. We would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the people who have supported us, and hope to see you again soon to visit our new birds. 
THE FALCONRY CENTRE ON TV: Earlier this year Selina Scott came and filmed with some of our birds at the centre for Heart of the Country on ITV. This was shown on the evening of 22nd September 2008. There is also a preview on You-Tube- click here to view. NEW ARRIVALS: 2008To our growing eagle collection we have added a female Tawny Eagle, male and female Bateleur and a young African Fish Eagle and a male Steppe Eagle. The centre now houses 10 eagles of 6 different species. In early 2008 we acquired two large vultures: a Cape Vulture and a White-headed Vulture. Many of these birds will make up a new outside display team of birds called 'Wings out of Africa' that will be attending many displays next year. See list of shows. Other new birds included a pair of Black Kites, a Chaco Owl and a male Peregrine Falcon. REFURBISHMENTS COMPLETED:The back area of the centre has been refurbished during winter 2007 and spring 2008. There are new aviaries for some of the flying owls and new paths to allow better access for wheelchairs and pushchairs. NEW ARRIVALS:2007 During 2007 we added to our collection with many new birds. The most impressive being a pair of young Bald Eagles. These birds will be trained and flown for many years and then will hopefully be used for breeding in the future. One completely different species we added was a Raven. Named 'Spike' he is a real character and will be flown and demonstrated the same as the other birds at the centre. Spike has been hand raised and is now mimicing us by saying his name over and over and over! Other new birds added in 2007 were: female a Russian Steppe Eagle, a Little Owl who is a star, a Ferruginous Hawk that is now learning how to soar- the problem is stopping!! 
NEW ARRIVALS: 2006The Golden Eagles have settled in well since they arrived. They are being used for display work and the female will hopefully go in for breeding at the end of this season. Also new were a male American Kestrel and a Tawny Owl OTHER NEWS:Nick Martin, wildlife photographer, has started running photography days where our birds can be photographed in more natural settings. Booking for these sessions is through Nick Martin so please see his website for more details, www.martinimages.co.uk . Hopefully ‘Hawk the Movie' that we filmed nearly three years ago, will be ready sometime! It is due to premier in London and also Venice. For more information on this, visit their website at www.hawkthemovie.com |
