Although it was back in 1990, I can still remember reading the article about the Hawk Conservancy in a newspaper feature on recommended days out. I had always had a fascination for birds of prey, so my wife and I drove down for what I thought would be a visit of a couple of hours or so. Six hours later and I was hooked on the place. Soon after that I became a member, and I have been involved ever since.

Flying has always been in my blood (my father was chief pilot of the Queen’s Flight), and having gained my flying licence at the age of seventeen, it was almost inevitable that I would make my career in aviation. After graduating in Natural Philosophy (Physics to you and me) from Edinburgh University, I joined BOAC in 1968 flying the wonderful Vickers VC10 all around the world. The next 32 years were spent enjoying the best job in the world at the sharp ends of some of the best toys that a boy could play with. As well as being lucky enough to captain a variety of the largest and most modern airliners up to 747’s in size, I was privileged to be asked to train other pilots to fly them as well.

After that first day out at the Conservancy, I took advantage of my membership to visit the park on many occasions over the years, and to help out on various members’ days. Looking ahead to when I would be retired at an enviably early age, I undertook a couple of falconry courses at the Conservancy with a view to maybe keeping a bird of my own once I was living a more stable lifestyle.

Shortly after I retired, I approached Ashley to offer my services as a volunteer once I had moved home nearer to this area.

Jon with Danebury the American Bald Eagle

Thank goodness he took me up on my offer. I started working here towards the end of 2002, mucking in on all the heavy rebuilding jobs that were being undertaken in the closed season. I immediately became included in the camaraderie and team spirit that is so evident here. Over time I graduated to more responsible tasks and began to be allowed to handle birds. As I gained more experience and knowledge, I was asked to help host Activity Days and to assist at the flying displays with tasks varying from appearing on the mound to reward the Black Vultures, to releasing the Bald Eagles from the other side of the valley. Last year I was asked to do some display commentaries and to be a guide on the Owls by Torchlight evenings.

I am called upon on fairly regularly to take a bird out to a school or other organisation and give a talk about birds of prey and our work with them. This is really enjoyable, and the reaction of children and adults alike is really rewarding as well as giving, I hope, good publicity for the Conservancy and its work. Most recently I took two owls to do Harry Potter themed photoshoots at a party for very sick and terminally ill children near Portsmouth. From the feedback received, I know that the opportunity to be photographed holding an owl made such a positive impact on these unfortunate children.

For the last couple of years I have been lucky enough to be entrusted with caring for some of the retired birds from the park, and to give them a nice quiet home in my garden in which to live out their days. This has given me the opportunity to fly two of the birds near my home, which I do as often as possible, helping to keep them fit and active in their old age. (Just like me!) The great thing about training birds to fly as opposed to pilots is that the birds don’t answer back or ask awkward questions!

Highlights of my work on the park as a volunteer have been calling in an eagle to my fist during the ‘Valley of the Eagles’ demonstration, being asked to do commentaries, and assisting with medical procedures in the hospital. There really haven’t been any low points, as I really enjoy the work here and appreciate the opportunities that I have been given. Perhaps I’d rather forget the day that I was asked to get a Black Kite out of an aviary and ended up releasing a Red Kite instead! (There were mitigating circumstances, but no-one makes any allowance for them when ribbing me about it!)

Last autumn I was kindly invited to accompany Andy Hinton and Mike Riley, Conservancy staff, along with Keith Channing, our Webmaster, on a trip to South Africa to help with the vulture monitoring programme there. This was a once–in-a-lifetime opportunity to live in the high veld and observe some of that country’s wonderful wildlife. Mind you, the smell of young vulture vomit and Andy’s snoring were experiences that I’d rather forget! When not here at the park, I spend my very busy days playing golf and tending my (too large) garden, as well as trying to keep up with my two young and very energetic children. Life is not dull!

All in all, I have had a fantastic first five years of my ‘retirement’ thanks in the main to Ashley and all the staff here who have made me so welcome and have put up with my ignorance so patiently. It has been a steep learning curve for me, but one that has been so worthwhile. I am the envy of many of my colleagues who have entered their retirement with no clear idea of what to do next or how to fill their time. I am forever indebted to everyone here, and I hope to repay them all in some small way by helping out on the park for many years to come.