Members Newsletter October 2009

Centre News

From work experience to wildest dreams. Anna Forrester winner of the BBC's Wildest Dreams TV series started her passion for animals at the Raptor Foundation when she came for work experience. She went on to be a very enthusiastic volunteer and member of staff. The staff and volunteers at the centre followed her progress through the competition and were all delighted to see her win. We wish her every success with the Natural History unit at the BBC.

This month we said a fond farewell to Tom McNally who has been a volunteer and part time member of staff for the past five years. He was a very popular person and his enthusiasm and dedication will be missed by us all. Tom has now gone to Hull University to study Zoology and we wish him every success with his study and future career.

Changes aloft, come December Liz will be out of action due to the imminent birth of twins.

Hospital News

June 2009 - August 2009.

The success rate for this quarter is very good with 30 birds going back into the wild where they belong. This is one of the best quarters we have had for a long time and makes the efforts of all the staff and volunteers very worthwhile.

Birds Eye View

Hello my name is Basil and you can see me on the front cover and to the right. I may look small and cuddly, but I have a big attitude. I'm a Burrowing Owl and my species comes from America, but I was born in England. I don't know where because I was only a few months old when I moved to the Raptor Foundation. It was a bit scary at first, but I was put in an aviary next to another Burrowing Owl called Delboy, which made me feel at home. Apparently Delboy refused to be trained or fly for anyone. This was my big chance and the staff started training me straight away. I had to have pieces of leather put around my legs, called anklets, so that they could attach all the other equipment to me for training. I didn't like this at first, but I soon got used to it, and now I hardly know it's there. Training went well, every time I flew I got fed, it was great. I still don't think they trust me though because they always fly me on the training line, known as a creance, but maybe it's just because they care and that makes me feel wanted. Most go now because it's time for flying and that means food, see ya

Basil

Meet the team..

Michael Willis, Staff

In this issue we talk to Michael Willis who started as a volunteer but is now a member of the staff. This is what he had to say.

How did you first hear about the Raptor Foundation?
We drove past one of the road signs and were into wildlife so decided to visit.

How do you contribute?
I help with cleaning, flying, weighing and feeding. Sometimes I help making kit or looking after hospital birds.

Why do you help?
Because I've always loved birds of prey and this gives me the chance to get close and really learn more and help them out.

Favourite Raptor?
Kiri, but at the centre Blake (both Harris Hawks)

Why?
Kiri knows exactly what she wants and will let you know if you're wrong or taking too long!
Blake because the first time I saw him he took a battering off the new Harris Cheyenne and managed to catch a rabbit the first time I went hunting.

What has been your best experience so far?
Helping to treat an injured Red Kite as I had only ever seen one before that.

Tell us something else about yourself?
I like colours in my hair, I hate being cold and I have my own Harris Hawk (Kiri).