The Hawk Conservancy

A Personal Appreciation

The Hawk Conservancy lies some 4 miles west of Andover in Hampshire. Head west from Andover on the main A303 road and it is signposted with a Tourist Board brown sign down a narrow lane to the south of the Dual Carriageway.

The Hawk Conservancy was started somewhat by accident. The Founder, Reg Smith and his wife Hilary were a farming couple who took in injured wild animals and birds. Reg also did some media work for television and on one occasion he gave a talk on what he was doing on his farm and suggested people visited him. He was inundated with visitors and it was suggested he opened his farm to the public, which he did. This was in the 1960s.

I first visited Weyhill in the 1970s when it was The European Wildlife Park, although mainly birds it also had some mammals living there. I seem to remember Bears being there.

Reg Smith flying a Barn Owl in 1978	Grey Heron at pool in 1978

I visited the park once or twice in the 1980s but I became very interested in Birds of Prey in the 1990s and have visited the park many time since and have been a member for 3 years.

First impressions of the site are very favourable. You enter via the shop which is spacious and well stocked with a large range of relevant goods. Across from the shop is Duffy's Coffee Shop where you can get a good meal or snack at very reasonable prices. The general atmosphere of the site is of cleanliness and the staff are friendly and helpful. All the birds look comfortable in their spacious aviaries because above all their welfare is the number one priority.

More than 200 birds reside on the 22 acre grounds making it one of the largest raptor collections in the world. Three flying displays take place each day and all are different. The first display is particularly suitable for the younger visitor and school parties especially the Barn Owl, Caracara and Secretary bird. The falconers who fly the birds are very knowledgeable and are able to get their audience attention with humour as well.

The grounds have evolved over the years to give a woodland habitat as well as the purchase of a 7 acre field which has been developed into a wild flower meadow dedicated to Reg Smith, the founder, who died a few years ago. The Conservancy is now run by his son Ashley. Viewing hides overlook the meadow where one can see wild raptors and the herons being fed every afternoon as well as young raptors being released to the wild.

Tawny Eagle at Weyhill May 1999	Tawny Eagle at Weyhill May 1999

Other facilities available include a toddlers play area, education centre with computer terminals for interactive work. New facilities in 1999 are the Vulture Restuarant where visitors can observe the birds being fed and Raptor Safaris which give the visitor the chance to learn about our native birds of prey during a tractor and trailer tour. Another project proceeding is the building of a bird hospital which is well underway.

White Bellied Sea Eagle at Weyhill May 1999	White Bellied SeaEagle at Weyhill May 1999

Many people are now wanting to understand more about birds of prey and their historical association with mankind. The Hawk Conservancy has facilities to allow members of the public to do just that. They organise activity days when a small number of people to spend a day with the birds and falconers for a 'Hands-on' experience. All in all The Hawk Conservancy is a great and educational day out for the whole family with plenty of facilities for the disabled visitor. For further information why not visit The Hawk Conservancy website.

Bateleur Eagle at Weyhill May 1999	Bateleur Eagle at Weyhill May 1999

Barn Owl at Weyhill May 1999	Barn Owl at Weyhill May 1999

Red Kite at Weyhill May 1999	Golden Eagle at Weyhill May 1999

Black Vulture at Weyhill May 1999	Bald Eagle at Weyhill May 1999