Bring the family to the Hawk Conservancy Trust for a very special Wildlife Weekend with renowned wildlife TV presenter and naturalist, Martin Hughes-Games. Martin is one of the UK’s most popular and respected naturalists and zoologists, best known as one of the presenters of the BBC’s successful live shows Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, which he co-hosted with Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan for the last nine years.
Get to know more about Martin when he spends the weekend at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. He will be helping with the bird of prey displays, sharing his expertise about the stunning birds, telling some real life adventure stories of his experiences working with wildlife and on wildlife television and signing copies of his brilliant book “A Wild Life”. During the two days there will be plenty of opportunities to ask Martin any questions you may have.
As part of the day Martin will help with the magnificent Valley of the Eagles flying display where you will witness serene Barn Owls floating gracefully above the beautiful wildflower meadow, you’ll experience vultures coming in close and flying low over your head, and you can marvel at the sight of two Bald Eagles soaring gracefully back to the Trust from over a mile away.
Martin will also co-host a special Woodland Owls flying display, and at the end of the day he will join you in the hides to talk about the wildlife you may spot there.
Come along on Saturday or Sunday. It promises to be an inspiring weekend, crammed with wildlife activities, stories, facts and fun and another bonus is – there is no extra charge for these days. Day time admission prices apply.
Due to high temperatures forecast for the weekend we will not be running our bird ringing demonstrations. In these temperatures, we are only able to ring birds outside hours that we are open. Instead, there will be an opportunity to learn more from Martin and our UK Conservation Biologist, Dr Matt Stevens, about their passion for British wildlife and bird of prey conservation.
The weekend is jam-packed with activities; so that you can attend as many activities as possible, we have made a few changes to our timetable and food available.
| 11:00am | Vulture Restaurant and keepers talk | Vulture Aviary |
| 11:30am | Wings of Africa flying display | Savannah Arena |
| 12:15pm | Opportunity to meet a bird of prey | Discovery Barn |
| 12:30pm | Learn more from Martin and our UK Conservation Biologist, Dr Matt Stevens, about their passion for British wildlife and bird of prey conservation, plus a Q&A session | Savannah Arena |
| 1:45pm | In the stunning and serene location of our wildflower meadow, Martin will introduce our Valley of the Eagles display with a short talk about British wildlife | Reg’s Wildflower Meadow |
| 2:00pm | Valley of the Eagles flying display. After the display, Martin will be on hand to sign copies of his book ‘A Wild Life’ | Reg’s Wildflower Meadow |
| 3:00pm | Opportunity for adults to fly a Harris’ Hawk | Hawk Flying Arena |
| 3:45pm | Martin will co-host our Woodland Owls flying display | Silver Birch Glade |
| 4:30pm | Ferret Race | Ferret Enclosure |
| 4:45pm | Secretary Bird keepers talk | Secretary Bird Aviary |
| 5:00pm | Martin will join you in the viewing hides to talk about some of the birds and other wildlife that you may see | Hides |
| 10:45am | Vulture Restaurant and keepers talk | Vulture Aviary |
| 11:00am | Official opening of ‘Meet the Burrowers’ with Martin Hughes-Games | Burrowing Owls Aviary |
| 11:30am | Wings of Africa flying display | Savannah Arena |
| 12:15pm | Opportunity to meet a bird of prey | Discovery Barn |
| 12:30pm | Learn more from Martin and our UK Conservation Biologist, Dr Matt Stevens, about their passion for British wildlife and bird of prey conservation, plus a Q&A session | Savannah Arena |
| 1:45pm | In the stunning and serene location of our wildflower meadow, Martin will introduce our Valley of the Eagles display with a short talk about British wildlife | Reg’s Wildflower Meadow |
| 2:00pm | Valley of the Eagles flying display. After the display, Martin will be on hand to sign copies of his book ‘A Wild Life’ | Reg’s Wildflower Meadow |
| 3:00pm | Opportunity for adults to fly a Harris’ Hawk | Hawk Flying Arena |
| 3:45pm | Martin will co-host our Woodland Owls display | Silver Birch Glade |
| 4:30pm | Ferret Race | Ferret Enclosure |
| 4:45pm | Secretary Bird keepers talk | Secretary Bird Aviary |
| 5:00pm | Martin will join you in the viewing hides to talk about some of the birds and other wildlife that you may see | Hides |
