Dr Jamie McKaughan, our Conservation and Research Coordinator, was asked whether there might be a connection between some raptors’ colourful facial markings and their tendency to hunt snakes, it sparked a fascinating journey of enquiry. So he set out to investigate the science behind their striking looks for us… I was recently asked why some raptors have colourful facial markings, and whether there might be a connection between these markings and the fact that many of these birds also hunt snakes. Could the two be linked? It was an intriguing observation, and although I offered a fairly quick answer at […]
Our Bird Team are always coming up with new ideas to keep the birds who call the Trust home, happy, healthy and engaged. While our display birds enjoy the freedom of choosing whether to fly in our daily demonstrations, it’s just as important to us, that they have stimulating experiences within their aviaries too. Over the last few months, Bird Team member Leainya has been taking a closer look at how we can make our enrichment even more meaningful for the birds we care for. Enrichment is designed to encourage natural behaviours and provide mental and physical stimulation. There are […]
We are excited to announce that the winner of our 2026 Marion Paviour Award is Mohamedi Kidogo from Tanzania! Mohamedi’s project title is: ‘Community Based in Conservation Of White-backed Vulture (Gyps Africanus) in the Selous-Niassa Transfrontier Conservation Area, Nanyumbu District, Tanzania.’ The Marion Paviour Award was named after our former chairperson and was established in her memory to support research into the conservation of birds of prey. It is aimed at early-career researchers working towards this goal. Mohamedi is the ninth award winner, and we are extremely proud to help new raptor biologists’ careers take off! His project aims to […]
From cautious first introductions to captivating visitors in our displays, discover how Bird Team member Poppy built a special bond with Harris’ Hawk, Phoebe. In September 2025, Bird Team member Poppy was introduced to Phoebe, one of our Harris’ Hawks. When our Head of Animals, Tom asked if she would like to be the person to work most closely with Phoebe, Poppy jumped at the opportunity. Her role would be to build a relationship with Phoebe, prepare her for our “World of Birds of Prey” display during the winter season, and introduce her to visitors during our experience days. “I […]
At the end of July, the team travelled to Uzbekistan to complete the annual fieldwork for our Central Asian Vulture Project. This year’s focus was to tag more juvenile Egyptian Vultures with GPS trackers. This involves locating nests and within that, nest with birds at the right stage of development – both elements of which are no mean feat! The team set out from Tashkent, covering over 3,000km in just six days of fieldwork, travelling across the Kyzylkum Desert in search of active nests. In these remote desert landscapes, Egyptian Vultures’ nests are often found in crags and holes on […]
For Bird Team member Hugo, working with African Fish-Eagles has been a long-held ambition. Ever since visiting the Hawk Conservancy Trust at the age of eight, Hugo watched Othello soar overhead and imagined what it would be like to one day fly one of these striking, impressive hunters himself. Years later, that dream has become a reality, as he now works closely with two of our very different African Fish-Eagles: Othello and Victoria. The challenge of Othello Othello, our male African Fish-Eagle, has quite a reputation among the Bird Team. Intelligent, opinionated and selective about who he chooses to work […]
As Summer 2026 draws to a close, we are saying a fond farewell to our wonderful interns, Alice and Kristina. Over the past few months, Alice has been a valued member of the Conservation and Research Department, while Kristina has brought enthusiasm and creativity to our Education and Marketing teams. Their hard work, fresh perspectives, and positive contributions have made a lasting impact across the organisation, and we are incredibly grateful for all they have achieved during their time with us. We wish them every success in their future endeavours and look forward to following their exciting next steps. Alice’s […]
Dr Jamie McKaughan, our Conservation and Research Coordinator, cracks open the myth surrounding Kestrels and how they hunt their prey, separating fact from fiction and revealing what the science is really telling us… When better evidence comes along, it should update our knowledge and our thinking, but sometimes our collective memory does not always keep pace, or perhaps the new evidence does not get the public spotlight it should – another discussion for another time perhaps! Nonetheless, ideas that have never been properly demonstrated, tested or proven can become so deeply embedded in popular understanding that years of repetition give […]
As we stagger our way through yet another heatwave, summer is well and truly underway, heralding the end of another exciting school year. We have been delighted to welcome over thousands of pupils to the Hawk Conservancy Trust since for another year, providing memorable experiences that enhance their school learning. We have been lucky enough to work with many inspirational schools and students, with one in particular group from last year standing out as a rewarding experience for Trust staff and students alike. Toynbee School, based in Southampton, is a secondary school with a specialist department supporting students with visual […]
If you’ve ever spent time watching owls, be that in the wild or in human care, in the UK or overseas, one of the things you’ll no doubt notice is just how different their eyes can be. At the Hawk Conservancy Trust, we have some wonderful examples. Sweeney Todd, our Snowy Owl, has striking bright yellow eyes that seem to glow against her white feathers. Molly, our Eurasian Eagle-Owl, stares out with vivid orange eyes, while Troy, our Tawny Owl, has deep, dark brown eyes. So why are they so different? For years, one of the most common explanations […]
