The Raptor Foundation
The Heath, St. Ives Road
Woodhurst
Cambridgeshire  PE28 3BT

Tel : 01487 741140    Fax : 01487 841140

       

We are a team providing a rescue service, 24 hour care and rehabilitation facilities for injured raptors. We provide a permanent, caring environment for raptors unable to return to the wild. We are committed to increasing rare species, and sharing knowledge and information on the medical treatment and rehabilitation of raptors.

The Raptor Foundation is permanent home to over 160 birds, comprising 40 different species of raptor.

Such is the reputation of The Raptor Foundation today that it has received a visit from the Japanese Royal family and now plays host to vets from across the globe who come to take advantage of the experience and facilities available.

From humble beginnings The Raptor Foundation has developed into a renowned establishment for the protection, treatment and rehabilitation of raptors. However, the foundation also affords thousands of visitors each year the opportunity to interact with and gain a greater understanding of these fascinating birds.

We also offer educational services to schools & other groups and can provide courses in all aspects of falconry & ownership of birds of prey. We are able to give educational demonstrations at your location or at The Raptor Foundation. For training courses, we have on site accommodation available.

Camp Site

In addition to our accommodation units, we also have a small basic camp site. The camp site currently has access to a toilet & water. As with the accommodation units, our camp site is available to our visitors and to anyone who simply wants a place to camp. The cost per night for the camp site is £5 including a visit to the centre (£4 without the visit).

Facilities

Silent Wings Restaurant:-  In 2002, our new tea shop, looking out onto the centre, was opened. The tea-room is open daily, serving a selection of hot and cold foods, from 10.00 am through to 3.30pm.

Gift Shop:-  Our gift shop is open throughout the normal opening hours of The Raptor Foundation. We have a large stock of souvenirs and books for you to remember your visit by

Disabled Access:-  Access to The Raptor Foundation has been designed to be easy for visitors in wheelchairs. All parts of the The Raptor Foundation open to the public are easily accessible by wheelchair. We do have a small number of wheelchairs for loan to visitors who feel they need to borrow one, please ask at the Gift Shop on your way in. Both wheelchair user and their pusher/carer are entitled to reduced rate entry.

The Children's Playground

      

A children's playground has been created in keeping with the natural surroundings. Perfectly located adjacent to the restaurant and the fish feeding area, it comprises all the fun elements for active children including climbing frame, rope swings and a slide and offers a safe and interesting environment in which to play.

Children's Party Time:-  Birthday parties for up to 12 children (all ages welcome) can be held in the Silent Wings Tea-Room, which will be decorated with balloons and a banner. The cost per child for a party is £6.50 (party bags are available at an additional £1.50 per head). The price includes admission, a personal tour of The Raptor Foundation, a flying display and an opportunity to fly one of our many owls, as well as a choice from a hot or cold party menu. We also allow 1 adult free admission per 4 children.

Your party at The Raptor Foundation will be an enjoyable, educational and memorable experience for which we recommend that you allow a minimum of 2 hours.

Information about Raptor

We Provide medical care for injured raptors.

Returns rehabilitated birds to the wild.

Provides sanctuary for unrealisable raptors.

Provides research into environmental problems and conservation matters.

Breeds from permanently disabled raptors so that the offspring may take their place in the wild.

Provides visitors an opportunity to meet and learn about birds of prey.

The Raptor Foundation is open to visitors every day of the year, except Christmas Day and New Years Day. We are open from 10am until 5.00pm (dusk during winter months).

Flying demonstrations are at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. (Dependant on the weather and time of year). We have close to 60 birds on our flying team, so each display has a different set of birds.

Indoor Flying Area

Our Indoor Flying Area, situated between the gift shop & the new accommodation units is now completed & in use. We can now continue with flying some of our hawks and owls when the weather is too bad for the birds to fly outside.

Twilight Flying

Since October 2002, we have had some "Twilight Flying" sessions, giving people a chance to see some of the owls flying in the dark. Over the summer, we hope to continue with occasional evening flying, though not in the dark. The evening flying sessions start with a flying display of 45-60 minutes duration, followed by hot soup, rolls and baked potatoes and filling, or other food, all included in the entrance fee.

The Raptor Foundation Hospital:-  On site we have an avian hospital, which boasts a fully equipped operating theatre, recovery, x-ray, medical and facilities to ensure the best chance of survival and rehabilitation for injured and abandoned raptors. With advice and practical input from world renowned veterinary surgeon and raptor expert Professor John Cooper [FRCVS] and other eminent veterinarians, the hospital has gained an impressive reputation and is frequently used by the royal veterinary colleges for training and seminars.

Education & Training

The Raptor Foundation has an enviable reputation for its training facilities for veterinary students, vets and nurses. Practical and theoretical courses are held regularly by eminent professionals from around the world.

For further information about Raptor Foundation please visit our website: - www.raptorfoundation.org.uk

Or email:-    heleowl@aol.com