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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
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The Heron and Raptor Feed

Herons at our daily feedWith the establishment of Reg's Downland Meadow, The Hawk Conservancy Trust not only gained an extra flying ground, but also an opportunity to show our visitors some of our current conservation projects. It also made it possible to enjoy watching the Heron and Raptor Feed. The history of the feed goes back many years. Local herons have a long association with The Hawk Conservancy Trust. It started in the mid 1960s when Reg Smith took in an injured heron. He nursed the heron, but its injuries prevented it from flying. Once the heron was well enough, Reg decided to release it into the area now known as the Dragonfly Pond. At that time, there were waterfowl living in the pond, and the heron began to live with the resident ducks and geese. Each afternoon, Reg would sit to watch him feed. This continued for some time until one day a second heron came and stole the injured heron's food. Being fond of herons, Reg didn't chase off the second heron - he simply put out more food. Word got around the district fairly quickly, for within a few weeks there were at least 30 herons coming each day to be fed! Feeding herons has continued every single day up to the present. Because herons are very shy and nervous, the visitors could not watch them feeding. However, with the creation of the meadow and the hides, an opportunity arose to show our visitors the herons feeding. The difficulty was trying to get the herons to feed in the meadow when 30 years of habit told them to find their food next to the Dragonfly Pond. To encourage the herons, it was decided to ring a bell when the food was being put out. Once the herons became used to the sound of the bell, we moved the food about six feet each day. After three months, the herons were feeding in the meadow, but not when people were watching from the hides. We played Radio 4 for three weeks to accustom the herons to the sound of voices, and eventually we were able to sit in the hides and watch the herons feeding. The Heron and Raptor Feed was born.

The Heronry is located about three miles away. Each season, when the young herons fledge, they start to forage in the surrounding areas. Occasionally we are brought injured or weak herons, particularly young birds that have had trouble in their first year. Where possible we rehabilitate these birds and release them with the older herons which come to the Trust each day. One of these herons has been coming back to the feed for nearly 15 years.

Apart from seeing herons, visitors are often able to see some of the raptors we have released over recent years. Some of the release sites, called 'hack' sites, can be seen from the hides. The young birds are often seen making their first flights away from the nest. The main species are buzzards and kestrels and, once fledged, the birds will often return to the meadow for a meal, particularly during the winter months.

Other species to be seen at the feed are the ever present corvids such as Magpies, Rooks, Crows and Jackdaws. The herons will often use these birds as scouts, waiting for them to check to see if there is any danger before coming in to feed. Pheasants will also make an appearance, making use of the feed hopper sitting right next to where the other birds feed. It is a wonderful sight to see a pheasant, buzzard and heron feeding together with no concern for each other.