Charity: Hawk Conservancy Trust (UK)

The Hawk Conservancy Trust is a conservation charity and award-winning visitor centre that has, for many years, worked in the fields of conservation, education, research and rehabilitation of birds of prey. Our mission is the conservation of birds of prey. The simplicity of this statement belies the complexity of the tasks it requires and the long-term commitment and investment. The threats facing bird of prey populations around the world are numerous. A majority of bird of prey species are under pressure to a lesser or greater extent and the conservation actions used to defend against these threats are varied and often innovative. As a result, our operational philosophy is one of evidence-based conservation management. Our conservation and research work takes place in the UK and overseas. Whether it’s the thrill of holding one of our rare birds or prey, watching world-class flying displays in one of our three display arenas, or simply meandering through our 22 acre grounds of woodland and wildflower meadow, we want to share with you our love of birds of prey and encourage you to join in our mission to conserve them. We care for more than 150 birds of prey from owls to eagles and during your visit, we’ll tell you more about each species and our efforts to protect them. Our purpose-built National Bird of Prey Hospital™ is where sick, injured or orphaned raptors are cared for and where you can take a sneaky peek at some of our ongoing rehabilitation work. Our on-site Discovery Barn is home to our Raptor Nest Box Project (RNBP), run by our Conservation Biologist Dr Matt Stevens, for Barn Owls, Tawny Owls, Little Owls and Kestrels. As well as exploring the ecology of nest box use, this project aims to assess how the use of nest boxes impacts the populations of these species. Led by our Head of Conservation and Research, Dr Campbell Murn, our International Vulture Programme (IVP) is a multi-partner initiative that focuses on the research and conservation of vultures. We’re a core member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s Vulture Specialist Group (VSG); a growing global partnership of more than 60 specialists working together towards vulture conservation. As a member of the conservation consortium Save Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE), we’re able to work towards the prevention of the poisoning of vultures and help create Vulture Safe Zones in south Asia. For more than 50 years, the Hawk Conservancy Trust has worked in the fields of conservation, education, research and rehabilitation and your visit goes towards helping that work. You can also help be a part of some of our most important projects by becoming a supporter of one of our programmes or by joining one of our membership schemes where you’ll receive various benefits throughout the year.