Welcome Leainya!

We’re delighted to introduce brand new Bird Team member Leainya to the Hawk Conservancy Trust! Her passion for birds of prey was sparked by visits to the Trust from a young age, so it’s wonderful to welcome her to the team. We’re sure you’ll give her a warm welcome on your next visit!

“Hello! My name is Leainya and I am so excited to have joined the Bird Team this September!

It was a visit to the Trust when I was 12 that cemented my interest in birds of prey, so much so that I was lucky enough to volunteer for three years at a bird of prey display team, dedicating my weekends to learning more about these beautiful birds. During this time I decided I wanted to deepen my knowledge further, so in 2016 I raised my own bird from four weeks old, a Peruvian Striped Owl who I named Lumos.

I then spent two years at a private bird of prey collection, and it was there that I met Hocus, a Snowy Owl who now lives with me! It was also during this time I achieved the Raptor Award in keeping and training birds of prey.

I then took a break from birds of prey to go to university, studying FdSc Animal Management and Applied Science, and then a BSc in Zoo Biology. After university I spent some time on work placement with the Animal Behaviourist at Marwell Zoo, when a vacancy appeared for a Keeper on the Carnivore Section. I have spent the last two years working with big cats, small cats, a variety of mongoose species, bush dogs, Short-clawed Otters, Binturong and my personal favourite, Red Pandas. I learnt a great deal about habitat design, veterinary care, enrichment provision and training.

I visited the Trust earlier this year to attend a couple of evening events and I realised how much I missed working with birds of prey. Once they have their talons in you, they tend to not let go! So having taken a detour I have now come full circle and am now working alongside the brilliant birds and people at the Trust. I am really looking forward to working with species I haven’t done so before, as well as those that are more familiar to me, and getting involved with everything that the Trust does and sharing my enthusiasm for birds with visitors.”