Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 August
10:00am-5:30pm
Calling all minibeast detectives, plant enthusiasts and nature lovers – we’re going wild! Join us on this bonanza weekend when alongside our normal daily activities, you can join in with a range of fantastic nature-focused activities at no extra cost.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust’s Big Wild Weekend is a festival of British nature, where we’ll be showcasing the wonderful natural world on our doorsteps. In addition to our daily timetable, you and the whole family can enjoy a wide range of extra activities, as well as special guests from other UK Conservation charities coming to the Trust for this special weekend only. Alongside watching our birds take flight, we’ll get you involved to discover more about nature, so you don’t need to be an expert already!
We expect this weekend to be busy, so pre-booking is advised. This event is free for members.
We are grateful to the Royal Society for Biology for helping to fund Big Wild Weekend this year through their Regional Events Grant.
There’ll be extra activities, special guests and our birds in flight added to our timetable, PLUS head over to each stand for activities running all day long!
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 10:00am | Trust opens | |
| 10:30am | Butterfly and moth talk with Butterfly Conservation | Discovery Barn |
| 11:00am | Good Morning with the Vultures – Talk | Near Griffon Rooms |
| 11:30am | Wings of Africa – Flying Display | Savannah Arena |
| 12:30am | Nifty Nest Builders – Talk and Activity with the Conservation, Research and Education Team | Discovery Barn |
| 1:00pm | Q&A with Megan McCubbin – Talk | Discovery Barn |
| 2:00pm | Masters of the Sky – Flying Display with guest speaker Megan McCubbin | Reg’s Wildflower Meadow |
| 2:45pm | Tractor Rides Big Butterfly Count with Butterfly Conservation and Trust Biodiversity Volunteers |
Reg’s Wildflower Meadow |
| 3:45pm | Woodland Wonders – Flying Display | Woodland Arena |
| 4:30pm | Owl pellet dissection demonstration – Talk | Discovery Barn |
| 4:45pm | Species Spotlight – Talk with guest speaker Megan McCubbin | See location on sign outside Trust Shop |
| 5:30pm | Trust closes |
Megan McCubbin is a valued friend and regular guest of the Trust. An acclaimed zoologist, conservationist, author and television presenter, Megan is widely recognised for co-hosting the BBC’s Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, as well as presenting Animal Park. Passionate about connecting people with the natural world, she is the author of An Atlas of Endangered Species and co-author of Back to Nature: How to Love Life – and Save It. Through her work in broadcasting and conservation, Megan continues to inspire audiences to protect and celebrate wildlife.
The Wildlife Trusts is a movement made up of 46 Wildlife Trusts: independent charities with a shared mission. For more than a century the The Wildlife Trusts have been saving wildlife and wild places, increasing people’s awareness and understanding of the natural world, and deepening people’s relationship with it. Find out more on their website.
As a partner group to the Bat Conservation Trust, the Hampshire Bat Group aim to promote and support bat conservation in Hampshire and to raise public awareness about these fascinating animals. Bats need our help because they face many threats, including from loss of habitat, loss of roost sites, light pollution and decline in the abundance of nocturnal insects. The local group is made up of volunteer members. Find out more on their website.
Butterfly Conservation was formed by a small group of dedicated naturalists in 1968 following the alarming decline of many beautiful butterflies and moths, a decline that the society aimed to reverse. Their vision is of a world rich in butterflies and moths for future generations to enjoy. Find out more on their website.
North East Hampshire Badger Group was formed in June 2022 to safeguard the welfare of badgers across as much of Hampshire as possible. In addition to monitoring and protecting these iconic animals they provide advice and guidance on badger-related issues. Find out more on their website.
MammalWeb is a “citizen science” platform intended to collate, validate and curate camera trap data that can inform about the distribution and ecology of mammals. Mammals are often elusive. Often coming out at night, and not in great numbers, it is hard to monitor their populations, where they are distributed, and how they behave. Knowing these things is important for a wide range of applications, including conservation and the sustainable development our natural landscape. Find out more on their website.
Bird Aware Solent helps people become more aware of the ducks, geese, waders, and other migratory birds that rely on our coastline, encouraging simple behaviour changes that help protect them. Their work aims to mitigate the impact of more people visiting the Solent coast, through engaging with the public and working with partners on many projects which help protect coastal birds. Find out more on their website.
Founded in 1972 the Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity and a leading voice in bringing the UK’s trees and woodlands to the attention of Government, land owners and the public. With a supporter base of half a million they were the first and remain the most significant contributor to woodland protections, restoration and creation in the UK. Find out more on their website.
The Anton River Conservation Association (TARCA) is a local voluntary group that carries out practical wildlife conservation work on and around Andover’s very special River Anton. To many the River Anton is thought of a one of the finest small chalk streams in Southern England, and TARCA members work hard to enhance the river and protect the associated wildlife. Find out more on their website.
Founded in 2003, Wildflower Turk has pioneered and developed a soil-less growing system which has transformed the concept of turf growing. A family business through-and-through, the Hewetson-Browns have been farming in Hampshire for two generations. Find out more on their website.
Throughout this special weekend, volunteers from the Hawk Conservancy Trust will be sharing updates on their work to help our biodiversity on site thrive.
Our avid team of Beekeeping volunteers will be chatting all about the hives we have in Reg’s Wildflower Meadow, and how you can support bees on your own patch. Our biodiversity volunteer Monica Johnson will be chatting about the wonderful flora and fauna that has been recorded across the Trust’s 22 acres of woodland and wildflower meadow over the years.
