Monthly Diary - November 2005
| 1st Nov |
The park is closed to the public, and all of the flying team have their equipment removed and are placed in aviaries to moult through their new feathers for the coming years. Some of the new birds to the team, who only started their training at the end of the season will continue their training so they are fit and ready for when we open. Interviews are held today for new falconry positions to start from January 2006. Two young falconers are employed on a full time basis James Robinson, an 18 year old from Yorkshire and Cédric Robert who, as some of you may know, is from France and worked with us over the summer period. Also taken on as a part time member of staff is Kim Kirkbride, whom many may have met on our activity days and owls by torchlight evenings. Everyone is looking forward to them starting. |
| 4th Nov | 30 Students from Sparsholt agricultural college attend a course on raptors and their management |
| 8th Nov | Zoo keepers training day held at the Trust, with 10 students attending. |
| 14th Nov |
The meadow is cut and baled by a local farmer, ready for its regrowth in the spring. |
| 15th Nov |
Meridian TV film a short piece at the Trust about owls to coincide with the opening of the new Harry Potter film. Today also sees the launch of the Trust's new children's owl experience sessions which allow children aged 8-15 to handle, fly and learn more about these wonderful creatures on our experience days that will be held during school holidays. |
| 19th Nov |
The second working day of the year, over 70 people attend our hard work event. Gravel and telegraph poles are moved, trenches dug and anything else that involves heavy lifting that we can think of is carried out today |
| 20th Nov | Work starts on finishing the tarmac paths around the grounds, meaning there is a flat even path around all of the aviaries, a blessing in wet muddy weather. A new tarmac surface is also laid on the front entrance apron to the road and on the disabled parking area. Gary gives a talk about owls to the 2nd Andover Beaver group at the local village hall |
| 29th Nov | All managers who supervise staff attend a training session with Trustee Michael Bolger on appraisals for staff. |
| All through November staff have been busy around the grounds, aviaries have been converted, improvements have been made to the mews on the eagle lawns and there has been a lot of plant moving and pruning to improve the look of the grounds. |
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