OUR speaker this month was the enthusiastic and informative Kim Kirkbride of the Hawk Conservancy, Andover.

She had our interest immediately, as in teams we were set the task of identifying birds of prey from her photographs. The winning team members were awarded model snowy owls.

At the Conservancy is the National Bird of Prey Hospital, where 200 injured, sick, or lost birds of prey are treated every year.

Kim’s photographs showed the injuries sustained in traffic accidents, entanglement in traps and barbed wire, a very sad and singed owl which had fallen down a chimney, and a pathetic little owl covered in glutinous oil after a misadventure at an industrial complex.

We heard that diseases caused by ticks, flat flies and parasites can lead to life-threatening conditions which the specialist vet and team have to treat. The aim is to rehabilitate the birds.

We saw the seclusion bays for initial treatment, and the recovery and release aviaries.

We heard of the delight when a successful release occurs.

Kim explained how to deal with abandoned tawny owl chicks. They can climb to safety if helped into a suitable tree. Other owl chicks at the Conservancy are crèche-reared before release, as they will adopt a human as parent if hand-reared.

What an informative and amusing talk. It provoked many interesting questions. We were glad to share this with residents of Salisbury Manor, who will be joining us at future coffee mornings, and where some of our groups will meet.