Ash Take a Trip to the Hawk Conservancy Trust

Ash enjoyed their BIG TRIP of the half term last Thursday (16th October) when they took a trip to the Hawk Conservancy Trust near Andover.

The class were greeted by Jillian, who is the Education Lead and part of the Bird Team, before they headed into the Savannah for the Wings of Africa Flying Display. The display showcased a range of African birds including storks, vultures, kites, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl and the African Fish-Eagle. One of the highlights of the display was watching the magnificent hunting skills of the Secretary Bird, as he annihilated a rubber snake! Our students had to duck on several occasions, as the majestic birds flew just inches above their heads!

After lunch, our students spent more time looking at all the different birds who live at the Trust, including Tawny Owls, Snowy Owls, Burrowing Owls, Golden Eagles and Bald Eagles, and finding out more about them. They learnt that vultures are the most endangered group of birds in the world and, if nothing is done, populations in Africa could go extinct within 50-60 years. Thankfully, the Trust is part of the International Vulture Programme (IVP), which is a multi-partner initiative that focuses efforts on the research and conservation of vultures in southern Africa and south Asia.

It was a wonderful day out and we look forward to taking more of our pupils on trips to the Trust in the future.

The Secretary Bird attacking a 'snake'

Duck!