Hawk Conservancy Trust

Where the sky's the limit.

Who are they?

The Hawk Conservancy Trust was founded nearly 60 years ago, and the conservation of birds of prey and their habitats is at the heart of what they do. Their team of scientists and researchers work tirelessly on a variety of conservation and research projects.

Another core aim of this charity is to share their knowledge and passion for birds of prey with you! If more people know and understand the importance of birds of prey, then the greater chance the Trust has of conserving them.

By encouraging engagement with evidence-based conservation activities and providing opportunities like the Marion Paviour Award (supporting early-career bird of prey researchers), the Hawk Conservancy Trust have a far-reaching impact.

Donation illustration of £115,065 to Hawk Conservancy Trust

 

What do they do?

Through their research and conservation work, the Hawk Conservancy Trust works to conserve British birds of prey including Barn Owls, Tawny Owls, Kestrels, and Little Owls.

Bird of prey conservation projects by the Hawk Conservancy Trust in the UK include:

  • Kestrel Colour-ring Project and Dispersal Project, to determine information about their population make-up, movement, and survival.
  • Raptor Nest Box Project, providing increased breeding opportunities for four target species of birds of prey.
  • Population monitoring of Kestrels, Red Kites and Common Buzzards. 
  • Impacts of changes in numbers of small mammals on bird of prey food supply, diet choice and productivity.
  • Nest box research on how box design and installation affect breeding success and productivity.

On an international level, the Hawk Conservancy Trust is involved in research and conservation projects to protect birds of prey overseas, too.

Most of their overseas campaigns involve the vulture, which has led the Hawk Conservancy Trust to extend their efforts to Africa and south Asia – where they actively work to conserve vulture populations and complete research into Critically Endangered Vultures.

Alongside working to conserve birds of prey through a variety of projects, the Hawk Conservancy Trust care for over 130 species (such as owls, eagles, hawks, vultures, and falcons) at their dedicated bird of prey centre in Hampshire! Each donation and every visit to the Hawk Conservancy Trust supports their vital work in the fields of conservation, education, research, and rehabilitation. 

How we have helped Hawk Conservancy Trust

We are an avid supporter of this charity, and to date, we have donated £115,065 to the Hawk Conservancy Trust, including:

  • £12,500 for their Raptor Nest Box Project (RNBP), which involves setting up nest boxes for the Barn Owl, Kestrel, Little Owl, and Tawny Owl. Volunteers carry out surveys and monitor chicks, which are crucial activities to gain a picture of bird populations in the UK.

Since 2010, the team have put up over 1500 specially designed nest boxes for birds of prey across eight counties in the south of England.

Illustration containing two photographs in Polaroid frames, one is of someone climbing up a ladder to build a nest box and the other is of someone holding a bird and writing in a notebook

  • £65,000 to help the Hawk Conservancy Trust set up a new annex for their National Bird of Prey Hospital™, The new annex is self-contained, improving the team’s capacity to look after birds safely. Features of the new hospital annex include an assessment room, a kitchen to prepare food and medicine, and six new treatment bays to house wild birds.

Illustration containing two Polaroid frames with photographs of experts putting identification rings around the legs of birds of prey

  • £10,000 was donated to support their Poison Response Action campaign, to act against the effects of vulture poisoning by ivory poachers in Africa. As well as completing vital research into vulture populations, the Hawk Conservancy Trust work with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the University of Reading to create Poison Response Kits that allow field staff to neutralise poisons at a site. The project also provides training to field staff in areas of high risk in southern and south-eastern Africa, equipping staff with the knowledge and tools to deal with poisoning events when they occur.

 

‘Tails' of UK Wildlife

From watching birds soar beyond our windows to countryside walks with our dogs, we all enjoy nature in our own way – so, it’s our collective responsibility to look after it. Through our ‘Tails’ of UK Wildlife campaign, we’re illustrating the ways small actions can have a big impact on wildlife and nature. 

Illustration containing photographs within Polaroid frames, one photo is of a barn owl in flight and the other is of a hawk

To support our nation’s beautiful birds of prey, as we take steps towards creating wilder future, we’re donating £10,000 to Hawk Conservancy Trust. The wonderful work Hawk Conservancy Trust do to help our precious UK wildlife is so important – since birds of prey are great indicators of the health of local ecosystems. 

Everyone has the power to make a difference. How will you use your power? If you need a little inspiration to get started, check out top tips for supporting birds of prey in the UK by Hawk Conservancy Trust.

Illustration containing two photographs in Polaroid frames, one is of a little owl resting on a fence post and the other is of two young owls sitting in a tree

Did you know vultures are the most threatened bird group in the world?

According to a research collaboration of the Hawk Conservancy Trust and their partners, there are 23 species of vultures, yet over 70% are at risk of going extinct.

The Hawk Conservancy Trust champion the unconventional beauty of the vulture! Vultures are among the most important animals on the planet, providing vital contributions to the health of our natural world.

Thanks to the vulture’s taste for meat and bones, these scavengers offer protection to other animals from dangerous diseases by acting as part of nature’s ‘clean-up crew’. 

You can learn more about the vulture, and our "Ugly" Endangered Animals campaign, by clicking here!

How you can help Hawk Conservancy Trust