Hawk Conservancy Trust red kite logo
The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Charity No: 1092349 - Company No: 4304161
Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire. SP11 8DY, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1264 773850.   Fax: +44 (0) 1264 773772.   Email info@hawkconservancy.org
The Trust
Conservation
Education
Rehabilitation
Research

Brief History of The Hawk Conservancy Trust

Hawk Conservancy founder Reg SmithReg and Hilary Smith purchased the land on which the Hawk Conservancy Trust stands in 1952. They farmed it until 1966.  They had always been lovers of nature and decided to stop farming in order to open the Weyhill Wildlife Park, specialising in European wildlife.  The Park was a success and, as its renown grew, the public brought many injured birds of prey to Reg and Hilary.

They cared for these birds and, where possible, returning them to the wild.  The couple developed a passion for raptors which led them, with their son Ashley, to open the Hawk Conservancy in 1981.

Some of the Trustees
Some of the board of Trustees

Reg sadly died in 1995.  A further seven acres of land adjoining the Park were subsequently purchased and, in his memory, Reg’s Meadow, a beautiful wildflower meadow, was established. 

By now the Hawk Conservancy had an excellent reputation and had won many awards for both its conservation work and as a visitor attraction, including the National Tourism Award in 2002.  Work with raptors continued with a growing emphasis on rehabilitation, education and the breeding of endangered species.

In 2002 the Hawk Conservancy Charitable Trust was set up and a Board of Trustees appointed. Initially the Trust ran the hospital, known as Hilary’s Bird of Prey Hospital, but in February 2004 the management of all activities at the Park became the responsibility of the Hawk Conservancy Trust.  Ashley Smith was appointed Chief Executive.