Documentaries show that predators such as #barnowls, #eagleowls, #tawnyowls, #kestrels, #commonbuzzards, #redkites, #foxes can be secondarily poisoned if they eat poisoned #mice.Long-term monitoring of barn owls reveals widespread contamination with #rodenticides,while systematic monitoring is lacking in many countries.This is precisely where the agricultural and hunting lobbies intertwine:instead of promoting natural predators as allies,they defend poisoning strategies

https://wildbeimwild.com/en/owl-parents-as-a-team-not-as-predators/

Owl parents as a team – not as “vermin”

Barn owl parents care for their young with impressive teamwork. Why do these strictly protected mouse hunters survive despite hunting bans and the influence of the agricultural and hunting lobby?

Jagd in der Schweiz: Kritik, Fakten, Studien und News

💨 🦅 Every so often #RedKites die in collisions with #WindTurbines. A study funded by the SNSF shows when and where this happens and what might help.

Full article 👉 https://sohub.io/n7yf

British Bird of Prey Centre to open new Carmarthenshire home this October half term

The British Bird of Prey Centre (BBPC), previously based at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, will launch its new site in Idole near Carmarthen on 25 October, following a soft opening for members and supporters on 18 October.

Year‑round attraction with new facilities

The award‑winning centre has been designed to provide a full day out, with both indoor and outdoor flying arenas allowing visitors to enjoy three unique flying shows daily.

The new site will also feature:

  • An on‑site café
  • Outdoor adventure play area
  • Interactive technology centre for immersive learning
  • Dedicated spaces for schools, community groups and corporate team‑building

Visitors will be able to see some of Britain’s most iconic raptors up close, including golden eagles, red kites, peregrine falcons, kestrels, owls and buzzards.

A young visitor gives a thumbs up as an owl perches calmly on his gloved hand during an interactive session at the British Bird of Prey Centre.

Seasonal events and conservation focus

The centre will launch with a Halloween‑themed programme, with further seasonal events planned to attract schools, families, coach trips and community groups.

Director Emma Hill said:

“This is a huge moment for us and for the birds. The new centre allows us to create the immersive, full‑day visitor experience we’ve always wanted to provide, while staying true to our mission of protecting and celebrating Britain’s native raptors. The birds always come first — and with the support of our community, we can’t wait to welcome everyone to our new home this October.”

A father supports his daughter as a large bird of prey lands on her gloved hand, wings outstretched, during a family experience at the British Bird of Prey Centre.

Long‑term ambitions

The move is part of the BBPC’s wider plans to expand its conservation work. Future developments include a Wild Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, as well as camping and glamping options to grow eco‑tourism in West Wales.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Neath man guilty of disturbing rare birds of prey
Photographer fined after repeatedly disturbing Wales’ only known honey buzzard nest.

Injured bird of prey found in Carmarthenshire identified as oldest ringed red kite to survive in the wild
RSPCA confirms 26‑year‑old red kite as the oldest known in Britain and Ireland.

Spectacular woodland waterfalls restored as part of popular Carmarthenshire tourist attraction
£7m restoration brings historic Regency water park back to life at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

#birdOfPrey #birds #BritishBirdOfPreyCentre #buzzards #Carmarthenshire #goldenEagles #Idole #kestrels #owls #peregrineFalcons #redKites

Quite used to seeing solitary Red Kites hovering around the skies round these parts. Occasionally I see two or three hunting together or juveniles playing around. This morning I witnessed the highest concentration of Red Kites I’ve ever seen. There must’ve been around 14 of them. #RedKites #Birds #BirdsOfPrey #BirdsOfMastodon #BirdsForBecsNan

I've just heard a #Cuckoo in the #garden. I was starting to think I'd imagined hearing one last year, but apparently not.

We've also recently been hearing a #Buzzard at home too, and have #RedKites nesting nearby.

If I can ever get a photo I will post it.

#Norfolk #Birds

A perfectly framed Red Kite over Meanwood Valley, Leeds.

Copyright (c) 2024 Paul Barker, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.

#RedKite #RedKites #Birds #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography
A pair of Red Kites over Meanwood Valley, Leeds.

Copyright (c) 2024 Paul Barker, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.

#RedKite #RedKites #Birds #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography
A Red Kite over Meanwood Valley, Leeds.

Copyright (c) 2024 Paul Barker, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.

#RedKite #RedKites #Birds #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography