The Accipiter - Monthly Diary May 2005

Monthly Diary - May 2005

A monthly overview of events and comings and goings at the park by Sales and Marketing Manager, Tracey Smith.

Although this page will always be retrospective, we shall seek to provide important breaking news by news flash on the front cover of the magazine.

1st/2nd May

Warm weather continues to bring in the crowds over the May weekend. Our display of medieval life by the Sir William Gasgoine Fellowship has a stream of visitors learning about herbalism, archery and medieval eating habits.

3rd May

Photo by Nigel Gillies

Forty volunteers from the 676 Squadron from Middle Wallop, arrive for a day's work at the Trust. They are soon hard at work replacing fences, digging holes and building a nursery area for our young birds to meet the public.
The first of the conservation activity days were held, with a trial group of

participants made up of Trust office staff, our accountant, Trustees and a volunteer. Great fun was had by all including getting lost with a receiver whilst trying to track a radio transmitter, and getting wrapped up in line whilst learning how to swing a lure. All agreed it was a great success, and staff cannot wait until the first public day starts.

10th May

Strategic alliance meeting on education held with interested staff, trustees and volunteers.

12th May

The first of the three great grey owl eggs in the incubator in the Bird of Prey hospital hatch. All will successfully hatch over the next couple of days, but sadly one chick does not survive due to intestine problems.

13th May

Sam Hunt holds the first of the interviews for the research students wishing to take part in our Tawny Owl release programme.

17th May

New computers installed in the study centre, with a new updated interactive computer quiz (also available on this magazine site - here).

19th May

Tim Walker, a BTO ringer, with the assistance of volunteer Mike Wallis, rings the 6 wild kestrel chicks hatched in the nesting box in the meadow. This will allow us to check their future progress when they leave the nest.

20th May

Ashley Smith gives a talk about the work of the Trust to the CPRE at Rotherfield Park, Duffy the Eagle Owl goes along for a public appearance.

21st May

Chris Bowden and Richard Cuthbert representatives from the RSPB’s Oriental White Backed programme visit the Trust to discuss conservation programmes and closer working alliances in the future.

22nd May

The Brook Bird Club from America visit the Trust.

24th May

Basingstoke College of Technical College arrive for the last of their training days at the Trust.

The first of the official Conservation Activity days takes place and is hailed a great success by its participants.

28/29/30 May

Second of the May bank holiday weekend, and this week we are joined by Shining Bear and his Sun Lodge Medicine Tepee. He spends the weekend entertaining our visitors with the myths and legends of the Native Americans.

Click here for previous pages from the Monthly Diary