Members Newsletter August 2007

Centre News

Another busy few months, with 'summer' underway we are getting lots of visitors including a few extra feathered friends camping out at the centre. We've had a pair of great tits nesting in our collection box at the flying area and moorhens have also moved in solving our snail problem, they love eating them.

There have been three new additions since the last newsletter bringing the total to four harris hawk chicks hatching this year. We have also found out that the kookaburras are a breeding pair. Unfortunately this time their chicks didn't survive but we are looking forward to next year because our long term goal is to train a kookaburra up to fly in the display.

We've finally had the new filter system installed on the pond so next time you visit the water should be clearer and you will be able to see the fish.

Hospital News

May 2007 - June 2007.

Robins give raptors the bird..

Baby robins have triumphed over birds of prey by setting up a comfy nest at a prime fundraising location.

Peter Harding, fundraiser for the Raptor Foundation, normally uses a pitch at Scotsdale Garden Centre to generate donations for the charity.

He brings along birds of prey such as hawks and owls to the centre in Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, every Sunday for customers to admire - but a mother robin has picked a dwarf conifer in a display there as home for her new family. As robins are fiercely territorial, the feathers could fly. Peter said: "I haven't been able to bring the birds along as they probably won't like the baby robins as much as we do. It is a bit of a shame, because our fundraising efforts have been hampered."

When the six chicks grow up and fly the nest he will return with birds of prey from the Centre.

The Cambridge Evening News
Thursday 17 May 2007

Meet the team..

Terri Page, Staff

This month we meet Terri Page who is a member of our full time staff. We caught up with Terri and here is what she had to say.

How did you first hear about the Raptor Foundation?
I was looking to move jobs within falconry and the Raptor Foundation had a good reputation, so here I am!!

How do you contribute?
My main task is being bossy and helping Dave eat all the chocolate cake!!

Why do you help?
Working with birds of prey is a passion not a job!

Favourite Raptor?
It is impossible to choose just one but I do like the indigenous species.

Why?
I feel it is important to show children all the species within our country so the passion continues.

What has been your best experience so far?
The best experience was helping Liz to jump and get out of the dykes whilst hawking... if only I had had a camera!!

Tell us something else about yourself?
I enjoy extreme sports from skiing, climbing to speleology.

Birds Eye View

Hello I'm Captain Scarlet, I am 4½ years old. I originally came to the Raptor Foundation when I was 18 months old from another centre. I had liver damage and my feathers kept falling out so I was in a bad way. Fortunately, Liz and the team nursed me back to full fitness and I'm now a healthy Bateleur Eagle.

Recently they discovered I was female not a male as they first thought, it can be hard to determine the sex until we reach a certain age.

Anyhow, I'm here to tell you about my species. Officially I'm known as a Bateleur Eagle but am also known as the 'red eagle', due to my colour. My name is french and means acrobat/tightrope walker although I am mostly found throughout the savannah and open woodland regions of Africa south of the Sahara.

The Bateleur is an excellent flyer, spending long hours (up to 8/9 hours) in flight; we can sometimes cover up to 200 miles in search of prey soaring at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 kph).

Our diet includes small mammals like rats, hedgehogs and squirrels, as well as birds, snakes, and carrion.

An adult is on average 60 to 75 cm (24 to 30 inches) long with a 175 cm (5.75 ft) wingspan.

During courtship we display amazing and daring turns and somersaults in the air. Bateleur eagles tend to pair for life and stay in the same nest for several years.

We are generally silent but capable of making loud screams when excited, so be warned!

I am currently being sponsored by 23 Squadron, stationed at RAF Waddington. Personnel on number 23 Squadron are frequently referred to as 'The Red Eagles', because of the eagle that features on the Squadron Crest, hence why I was the obvious choice to become their mascot as I have red facial skin, bill and legs and chestnut feathers.

I recently attended an Air Show at RAF Waddington and was proud to be there alongside the rest of 23 Squadron.

Anyway better sign off for now, don't forget to find out more about all the birds at the centre come along and say hello.

Captain Scarlet

5 easy ways to help!

VISIT THE FOUNDATION.. Just by visiting the centre you can help. By becoming a member you can gain entry to the centre as many times as you like there are also discounts on purchases in the gift shop, a quarterly newsletter and you are invited to a members' barbecue.

If you are a UK resident paying income tax, then we can make the most of your donation by reclaiming the tax you have paid on your donation through Gift Aid.

ADOPT YOUR FAVOURITE BIRD.. The adoption scheme enables individuals or companies to adopt the bird of prey of their choice by contributing to their financial upkeep over one year. The adoptee will receive a framed photograph of the adopted bird, an adoption certificate and their name will be displayed by the bird of their choice.

PURCHASE AN EXPERIENCE DAY.. All of the Experience Days offered by the Raptor Foundation are on a one-to-one basis. We will endeavour to tailor your experience day to your needs, just let us know whether you have just a general interest in meeting birds of prey close up or are interested in owning birds of your own and taking up the sport of falconry.

VOLUNTEER AT THE CENTRE.. Being a volunteer at The Raptor Foundation offers not only the satisfaction of helping a worthwhile cause, but also affords the privilege of getting close to the birds and gaining an insight into and understanding of birds of prey.

We aim to fully involve all of our volunteers in all aspects of The Raptor Foundation, from cleaning the birds in the morning, to helping out with flying displays during the day and finally feeding and putting the birds to bed at night.

ATTEND AN EVENT.. A series of events take place throughout each year to promote awareness of the work undertaken by the Foundation and to raise the funds needed for the ongoing projects aimed at establishing it as one of the leading raptor centres in the UK.

At what cost?

Caring for the birds doesn't come cheap, here's a breakdown of how your contributions are being used.