Members Newsletter December 2004

The Editors Page

Where does the time go? That's a question I am going to have to think about later as the deadline is getting close and I have only just started writing my editors page. Firstly I would like to apologise to Rachel and Brian Lake and Jessamy Bloom for not including their pictures with the articles they wrote for the last newsletter. They are in this one.

Its been a very busy time for everyone with the number of outdoor shows increasing even as the summer draws to an end. If there's not a show at the weekend theirs a street collection in one of the local towns. So if any members are free on weekends and would like to help at one of our street collections contact the centre to find out more.

You are probably getting bored of me saying this but I am going to anyway. If anyone has any stories about a visit to the centre or even a raptor related story I would love to hear from you, and maybe I might put it in the next newsletter.

Dave Blows
Newsletter Editor

Open Day Pictures

Here are the pictures inadvertently missed from the last newsletter.

I think you will agree the pictures are great, although I don't think Liz would agree with me.

Raffle News

Anyone who has visited the Raptor Foundation over the last few months may well have seen a cross-stitch picture of a Great Grey Owl on the counter in the gift shop. This picture is the prize for the raffle that was recently drawn. The lucky winner was Mrs Sutton in Hartford, so congratulations to her.

Hospital News

Hospital inmates August 2004 - October 2004

* The African Spotted Owl was reunited with it's owner.

We have seen a large number of Sparrow hawks and Kestrels through our door this quarter and again the success rate has been good. We have four sparrow hawks in a seclusion aviary at the moment, lets hope they pair up.

Short eared owl

It always amazes me when birds come in especially when its not what you thought it was going to be. The bird was supposed to be a tawny owl, but in fact turned out to be a short-eared owl. Unfortunately it has a badly broken wing and cannot go back out into the wild. The people that brought it in have adopted it and it has been put in an aviary with another short-eared owl.

Common buzzard

The common buzzard was picked up in St Neots lying by the roadside flapping its wings. The gentleman that brought the bird in lives across the road from the centre in a caravan park. Unfortunately the bird had to be put down because it had a broken pelvis.

Peregrine falcon

When someone phones up and says they have a Peregrine, your mind starts to think, no it's a kestrel, but this time it was a Peregrine. A little male had been picked up easily in a wood. The gentleman thought it had been shot as there was blood on its chest, but this could have been from a recent kill. Unfortunately we did not know at the time it had been poisoned, and it died of this.

A fabulous day out

What a fabulous day out. We, as an extended family, arrived for my nephew to have his falconry experience day at 10 o'clock to be greeted very warmly. We had recommended this day as I had given my partner this as a birthday present, and he had thoroughly enjoyed himself. Towards the end of the day just before the last flying display I had to leave the center and pop into St Ives to get some bits for dinner, when I got a phone call to get back quickly. So I arrived back at the center to be met by my partner hurrying me along. We quickly sat down to watch the display to see Liz, my nephew and one other helper come out with a couple of Harris Hawks which my partner and I both love, and when we are in a position to do so, intend to keep our own. Liz then starts her speech with “I understand that there is a young lady called Kym here who has been told that it is not possible for her to fly these birds. I want her to come and join us so that I can show her how she can”. It took me a couple of minutes to realise that she was talking about me. I looked around to see if anyone else was getting up to see my partner, my sister and my nephew all laughing and smiling at me. I then joined in the display, and apart from flying the Harris Hawks I also flew a Great Grey Owl who was the most wonderful experience and then of course we had to fly the Barn Owls. To say that this was one of the most wonderful and enjoyable experiences of my life would be an understatement.

From being told it would not be possible for me to fly birds, as I am a slightly disabled person, my left hand is missing from the wrist down, to be shown how to do it and then allowed to do it, shows what a wonderful place the Raptor center is and how wonderful Liz is to be willing and able to spend the time to help people. I tell everyone who will listen about my day and recommend to everyone to visit you. Please keep up the good work, you made all the difference to me.

Kym Claridge

Hunts Post Business Awards 2004

For the second year running the Raptor Foundation were short-listed in the Huntingdonshire Business Awards. On Friday 12th November we attended the awards in anticipation and just a little nervous. We were short listed in not just one category but four and were extremely happy when we came 3rd in the Sustainable Development Category. This was a huge achievement as the winner of this category was the local Marriott Hotel

Birds for Adoption

Christmas is coming and everyone knows someone who is impossible to buy for so why not adopt a bird, and give them a really unusual present. When you adopt a bird you get a framed photograph of the bird of your choice, an adoption certificate and one years free family membership, all for just £55. Your name is also put on the aviary that contains your chosen bird.

Some of the birds still to be adopted are :

American barn owls

Kookaburras

Long eared owls

Short eared owls

You can also adopt any other bird currently at the centre.

HELP US TO HELP THEM

Centre News

It is nearing the end of yet another year, plans are already aloft for next years shows, anyone wishing to help at shows please contact the centre.

Do I have plans for next year? The completion of the Bald Eagle and Serpent Crested Aviary currently under construction is a priority so they can settle in before the breeding season. Anyone good with a paint brush or saw contact the centre. The education room has at long last had the roof fixed thanks to Dave (Stanstead) and his father in law. This means I now have to put my thinking cap on and decide what signs and information I would like to put in there. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I hope that you all had the chance to see our little piece on BBC Look East a few weeks ago. A surprise to us all, as the person that did the filming was using this as part of her exam to become a cameraperson. There has been a great response and November is proving to be as good a month as June. It's a shame this cannot happen more often.

We are now beginning to think about next years Sponsored fund raising event so any ideas let us know.

The centre will be closed on Christmas day, Boxing Day and New year's day, but open over the rest of the holiday period from 10.30am to 3pm. Hope to see some of you over that period.

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Thankyou for all your support in 2004, see you in 2005, which is going to be a bumper year for us