For many resident species of birds of prey in the UK who nest in cavities, declines in mature woodland and green belt have resulted in the loss of breeding space for the species. We are working with land managers and farmers to restore ancient grasslands, promote natural woodland development, monitor amber listed species and promote their conservation through installing nest boxes and improving habitats.

In 2023-24 we were thrilled to see positive breeding success in three newly installed sites, returning a breeding pair of amber listed European Kestrels to one farm for the first time in several decades. Pictured below, the Projects fieldwork team work alongside Chris Sperring MBE of the Hawk and Owl Trust to fit BTO monitoring rings to a clutch of Barn Owl chicks, who were then safely returned to their parents in the nesting cavity.

We are currently monitoring and working with Barn Owls, Kestrels, Tawny Owls and Little Owls. We’re really grateful to be working in collaboaration with the Hawk and Owl Trust on this programme, and we also work with the Bath Spa University Wildlife Conservation Course providing students with practical education and experience.

Ending cruelty towards birds of prey in both bird of prey centre environments and private ownership, is something that our whole team are hugely passionate about. Over 40% of our avian team have been re-homed from previous care, much of which failing to meet basic welfare standards. 

In the UK there is currently no legislation for keeping birds of prey in captivity, neither is there a modern set of guidelines for welfare. We are working hard to create a welfare system that can be documented and shared for the benefit of birds of prey in ownership across the UK.

We work with our birds using consent based high trust behaviours. This restraint free management is developed around the bird giving consent for actions, and voluntarily participating in training behaviours. 

Our avian care facilities have featured in multiple national publications and are also the location for training we provide to students, veterinary professionals and career starters in aviculture. We’re proud to work with and advise fellow animal care organisations in the South West of England and further afield.

Working closely with birds of prey in the way we do is an honour and a responsibility. Not just to the birds themselves, but the environment they depend on. We are focused on creating a duty toward positive sustainability – to inspire a change’.

Naomi Johns, Centre Manager

We began working on the Biomagnification Project in 2022, inspired by a concern for the impact of chemical pollution on wider ecosystems, being exposed by modern, international research into wild raptors.

This project focusses on raising awareness for the implications of biomagnification and supporting effective research into local wild bird of prey populations.

Biomagnification or biological magnification is the process of accumulation of certain chemicals in living organisms to a concentration higher than that occurring in the inorganic, non-living environment. Birds of prey, at the top of their respective food chains, are key species when it comes to biomagnification.

Are you a student or researcher planning a project looking at toxins in wildlife? Get in touch with us!

To understand more about our local biodiversity and how we can continue to best enable a healthy ecosystem around us, in 2023 Deputy Centre Manager Alice created a Biodiversity Action plan working to improve habitats around the centre.

In 2024 we are working to implement some of these techniques in tandem with our Nest Box project, looking at correlations between farmland biodiversity, climate and raptor breeding success.

If you have skills in ecology or habitat surveying that you would like to volunteer, or if you’d like to just like to volunteer your time building wildlife habitats here at the centre, contact alice via alice@birdofpreyproject.org.

The Rehabilitation Hospital is a specialist referral facility for treating wild birds of prey. We can’t always take patients as first opinion, as our specialist avian care team are often very busy caring for our resident birds. However, we do always have our advice line open below to help you get in touch with the right help.

WhatsApp or Phone 07935 744167 for advice if you find an injured bird of prey.

Providing an ethical wildlife rehabilitation programme for wild birds of prey and owls is a crucial part of our work as a charity. Our Rehabilitation Hospital built in 2019 is compromised of a treatment room, injury recovery units and larger aviaries for birds preparing their flight abilities ahead of a release to the wild. We are named members of the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (BWRC) and our hospital supports both case transfers from other wildlife units in the UK, and training for university and college level students.

We are supported by a specialist avian veterinary team and our facilities and policies are inspected on an annual basis.

Providing a safe environment and structured training and/or experience for young people beginning careers in proactive animal care for conservation, nature recovery and other fields such as marketing, fundraising or IT skills is a core component of our charity.

Each year we run training for up to five aged 16-18 college age students, following a practical specialist raptor care course accompanied with annual training days covering topics such as conservation fieldwork, medical care and complex flight husbandry. The Bird Team volunteer programme provides experience and professional support for career starters, alongside social connection opportunity through the Projects social group activity.

The Project also provides Continued Professional Development to the local community and further affield, through offsite talks, workshops and school visits, inspiring and engaging a diverse cross section of the next generation of conservationists.

Project Lugger is registered charity dedicated to conserving Lugger Falcons in the wild. Native to India, Pakistan and Myanmar Lugger Falcons are rapidly declining due to various reasons including use of DDT pesticide, habitat loss and decline of their preferred prey item. But the biggest threat to their wild population is a practice called ‘barak’, where Lugger Falcons are trapped and used as live bait for larger falcons which are sold for illegal trade. Over 2,000 Lugger Falcons are killed in this process every year.

Project Lugger is working hard in Pakistan and in Europe to create a more sustainable future for these falcons, by carrying out vital research, educating local communities, working with Pakistani governments and breeding Lugger Falcons in captivity.

Here at the centre, we fly a Lugger Falcon to raise awareness for the species.