Sue with Barn own Avon

I’m just a novice. Every other volunteer seems to have been at The Hawk Conservancy for years, but I do work there twice a week and Bank Holiday weekends.

Having retired after working as a Probation Officer in London, I wanted to do something completely different – and what a difference!

In May 2006 I telephoned to ask if I could volunteer and left my telephone number. Within half and hour Andy rang, ‘Do you do gardening?’ I have not looked back since.

I’ve gone from being interested in raptors, to fascination and now like everyone else, addiction. I have my favourites; Macawber, Chestnut, peregrines and kites, and I will never tire of the awe inspired by seeing Danebury and Cheyenne coming onto the fist after their flight over the valley.

Cutting back plant growth

My tasks over the year have been many and varied. I’ve fought with stinging nettles (they usually win), moved hundreds of bulbs in the new Woodland Owl flying arena, and cut back a lot of plant growth. I’ve weeded and weeded and weeded, cleaned aviaries, prepared feed, cut back plant growth. I’ve shopped for plants with Ashley and planted them, moved plants and watered them, and cut back plant growth. I’ve gone over the hill with Danebury and Cheyenne, helped with the tractor ride, controlled crowds, helped in the car pack, picked litter and cut back plant growth. There is a good shower of rain and I know what I will be doing – cutting back plant growth.

I regularly bring out the holding birds and love to watch the children’s (and some adult’s) faces when they have either Chestnut, Avon or Test on their fist. The other day I put Avon onto a man’s fist and he said that he had wanted to hold an owl for years and had come all the way from Dublin to do so. It feels good to help create a lasting memory.

I’ve worked in hot sun, high wind, rain and sleet but I draw the line at the bitter cold. In the winter there was so much mud that I got covered in it and had to remove all my outer clothing before I stepped into my house. The mud remained in my car until spring.

The gale in January was both an exhausting and exhilarating experience. The sound of the wind in the trees was deafening and everyone was running round the park watching for trees and branches being blown down. Seven trees and several branches came down in two hours. Fortunately no birds were hurt or escaped and no aviaries were damaged beyond repair. It was a great experience in teamwork.

Last summer I took my grandson, aged two and a half, to ‘see the birds’ and he has been several times since. He fell in love with Cheyenne and along with train driver and pilot, he wants to be a falconer.

I would love to do more with the birds and I now understand why volunteers continue year after year. The Hawk Conservancy is unique and has it’s own magic. It is not just the birds, it’s the history, the setting, the staff and volunteers. Whether it’s full to bursting on a fine Bank Holiday or empty of visitors with only a few staff, it still weaves its spell and I’m bewitched!

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