Education at the Bird of Prey Centre, Shuttleworth.
We at the Centre are passionate about birds of prey and education. We would like to share this passion with you. Over the years we have built up one of the largest collections of Birds of Prey in the UK. Some are rare and endangered species. Education at the Centre comes in many forms and listed below are some of the activities we offer in relation to education and conservation.

Schools
Autumn, Winter and Spring. Welcome to the magical world of Owls.
For many years we have been visiting schools with our Owls and other birds of prey, helping children learn and understand about these magical creatures. There is so much to learn about Owls, how they fly so silently, how their feathers are structured and work and which owls can be seen at night in this country. We are now visiting Schools in your area with our birds. The aim is to help children learn and understand more about our indigenous species of owls and what they can do to help protect them.
During each visit we give a talk, suitable to the age of the children, on anatomy, flight and nutrition, as well as linking it to other subjects of your choice. We also cover subjects included in the National Curriculum including: living things in the environment, food chains and feed webs, feeding relationships and hunting techniques. Whatever the subject we are able to cater our talks to the children’s’ needs.
We ensure that the children have fun as well as learning, there are opportunities to handle some of the birds and some will even fly over their heads in their classroom. Imagine their faces when fantasy comes alive in the surroundings of their own School.
We are offering a special price for visiting Schools of £2.50 per child up to 50 children, any children over this number will be included for £2.00 per child. For local schools within a radius of 20 miles from the Bird of Prey Centre, there are no additional travel expenses.
Alternatively you can visit our centre. Prices are £4.00 per child, with one adult free with every 5 children. Additional adults are charged at the normal admission rate of £10.00.  A Teachers Study Pack is also available at £2.50 per pack.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity of seeing our birds and letting the children have a few hours of unique, magical fun.

Young Falconers Club
The English School of Falconry set up its first Young Falconer’s Club in 2001, one of the first Centres in the Country to provide children aged 7-16yrs the chance to learn more about this ancient art. Under the guidance of practising Falconers children have the chance to handle and fly all different species of birds, have a go at equipment making; learn the falconer’s knot; quizzes and much more. At the end of 10 months the children then perform their own flying display in front of their families. This is the chance for the children to show what they have learnt throughout the year.

Young Sportsman Club
Here at the Centre we know how important our countryside and its management really are, and above all the countryside pursuits and hobbies. We feel it is important to bring children back into the countryside and to introduce them into the wide variety of field sports that are available, in the hope we create new interests and hobbies to keep our English traditions alive for the future generations.
We are offering a unique opportunity to children aged 7-16yrs to become members of the Young Sportsman’s Club. Giving them the chance to join in and learn all different country sports as well as conservation. The Club will run for 10 months and activities include Falconry, working dogs, Air Guns, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Fly Fishing, Deer Management, and conservation.

Junior Bird of Prey Experience Days
The Centre offers this fantastic day giving children aged 7-16yr’s the opportunity to handle and fly all types of Owls. Included in the day is a Hawk Walk and a chance to fly a team of Harris Hawks. Handle and fly an Eagle, meet some of the Birds of the World, our Great White Pelicans, meet the Vultures, and much more. The day runs from 10-4 and we hold these during School Holidays.

Adult Falconry Days
Spend the day at the Bird of Prey Centre handling and flying different species of birds and learning a little about falconry itself. Included is a guided tour of the Centre, have a go at the falconer’s knot, a hawk walk, meet the Pelicans and Vultures. This is a real hands on experience. Lunch is included on these special days.

Conservation and Awareness Days
The Day includes a tour of the Centre and a talk on rehabilitation. A flying display of some of our native birds of prey. A hands on session to include handling techniques of wild birds of prey. Building different types of nest boxes and nesting sites. Imping and coping a bird and a practical demonstration on how to repair broken or damaged feathers.
These will also be the opportunity for Question Time.

Falconry Courses (Two five day courses)
This is the opportunity for the novice to learn the basic skills necessary to practice the sport of Falconry. The course will provide you with the ability to give a bird its proper care and be able to fly it according to the best traditions of this ancient sport. Under the guidance of a practising falconer you will gain a better understanding of raptors and their relationships with man. Some of the points we cover are: the birds and law, Housing, Food and weight, bathing, feeding and casting, Health and disease, Manning and early training, management, tools and equipment, flying free, Imping and coping, and much more.

To ensure you do not miss out on this special treat for your School, contact us now at The English School of Falconry, Bird of Prey Centre and Owl Sanctuary.
Tel: 01767 627527 or EMail: falconry.centre@virgin.net