New for 2019 is the arrival of The Raptor Centre, a sanctuary for birds of prey.

Hobbledown is now home to husband and wife conservationists Eddie and Veronica and their 17 magnificent birds who will provide flying demonstrations, informative meet and greets, and experience days with the birds.

Founded in 1977, The Raptor Centre aims to promote understanding and care for these beautiful birds in the wild.

Birds now based at Hobbledown include Eagles, Hawks, Owls and Falcons (including an African Pygmy Falcon, which weighing in at 2oz (56g) is the smallest Birds of Prey in the world).

Meet The Raptor Centre flying team:

• ​Helga – Bald Eagle
• Maleficent – African Fish Eagle
• Rags – Bateleur (African Snake Eagle)
• Jack – Jackal Buzzard
• Morgana – Harris’s Hawk
• Twizzle – Gymnogene
• Quito and Inca – Red Backed Hawks
• Harvey – Gyr X Saker Falcon (Hybrid)
• Fidget – Lanner Falcon
• Aasha – Lugger Falcon
• Frik – Indian Eagle Owl
• Inky – African Spotted Eagle Owl
• Peanut – Barn Owl
• Ronnie – Burrowing Owl
• Cowboy – Western Screech Owl

 

• Meet the birds

• Daily from 11am to 2pm (weather permitting). Excludes Tuesday and Wednesday which is the birds’ rest days.
• Between April and October we will have two daily flying displays (excluding Wednesday) at 12:30pm and 3.30pm. (weather permitting).

 

Meet and greet experiences:

• Birthday parties

Host your birthday party at Hobbledown and make it extra special by adding a raptor experience.

You’ll have the opportunity to get up, close and personal to one of our birds of prey. Great for photo opportunities on your camera!

Cost £25 for around 15 minutes. Available at weekends.

To book call 01372 235 125

• Handling experience

This is our winter experience which runs from October to the end of April.

For children (age 10+): 30 minutes bird handling. Allow up to 1 hour for the whole experience.

For adults: 1 hour handling. Allow up to 90 minutes for the whole experience.

Available at weekends. 11am and 2pm.

Cost £40 per child. £50 per adult.

To book call 01372 235 125

• Flying experience

This is our summer experience which runs from May to October.

Suitable for ages 10+

For children (age 10+): 30 minutes flying time. Allow up to 1 hour for the whole experience.

For adults: 1 hour flying time. Allow up to 90 minutes for the whole experience.

Cost £80 per participant.

For availability and to book call 01372 235 125

 

Conservation – Project Lugger

Here at Hobbledown we have a young male lugger falcon.
Over the past 30 years the Lugger Falcon has undergone a serious population decline due to illegal trapping, expansion in human population and an absence of key food supplies that help these birds to breed. It is estimated that there are only 15,000 individual birds left in the wild.
We are involved in Project Lugger, helping to build a viable gene pool and produce youngsters that can be involved in a strong breeding programme. Giving these beautiful birds a chance to survive.