North Somerset Bird of Prey Centre
Smallway Leisure Park
Smallway
Congresbury
BS49 5AA
License no: 80551
Breeding License: 35243
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Please contact 07557 785621 and leave a message for availability and bookings or email us at nsbopc@aol.co.uk
North Somerset Bird Of Prey Centre
COVID-19 Latest Statement
22.05.20 - UPDATE - We are still closed as per the latest government advice and we are now entering our 10th week of forced closure. We are incredibly grateful to have received a government grant however with running costs on average £1,500 per week just to cover food bills, heating and electric and veterinary costs, we are now running very low on funds. Our supporters have been incredible lifting us with not only their kind donations but also their support and kind words. We know for sure that we wouldn't still be here now if it wasn't for you all.
If you are able to help us at this time we would really appreciate it. Below are the links to our fundraiser and PayPal as well as our Amazon Wish List which has some essential items we need. We are particularly in need of animal food, supplements and heat bulbs.
PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/nsbopc
Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/north-somerset-bird-of-prey-centre-needs-your-help?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/registry/wishlist/29QN2H5LGAQ2G/ref=cm_wl_huc_view
As always you can keep up to date with our latest news and developments on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Take care all and we hope to see you real soon.
22.03.20 - We have made the tough, but necessary, decision to close our doors until further notice. We are devastated by this news but must continue to stay positive and act in the best interests of our animals and staff at this time. As always, bookings and experiences are non refundable, however under the circumstances and as a goodwill gesture, we are offering anyone with a cancelled booking or event, a credit towards future bookings with us. Gift vouchers and experiences which are due to expire whilst we are closed will also be extended free of charge.
We don't want to add fuel to the hysteria, but if things carry on as they are now, we will be in trouble. We are already struggling after our toughest winter and we have been hit hard in what should be our busiest time. We understand this virus is affecting everyone in some way and many businesses are under pressure. However, with over 150 animals to look after, we can't lock the doors and send staff home, we can't turn off the lights and heating, cancel our food bills or stop any of the overheads which continue to pile on top of us. If anybody has thought about ever doing an experience with us, please now is the time. Vouchers can be purchased now and used at a later date- https://www.nsbopc.co.uk/experiences-gift-vouchers/
It has also been suggested that we set up a go fund me page and you will find the link below.
We know times are tough for everyone and we don't expect anything but please know anything you can send, no matter how small will really make a difference and 100% will go towards the animals and their care. We will continue to update you all with the animals stories and what's going on at the centre via our social media pages and hope we can provide you all with a smile and a bit of light relief during these challenging times.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/north-somerset-bird-of-prey-centre-needs-your-help?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
17.03.20 - Currently all of our Experience Days, Encounters and Outreach Visits are continuing as normal. Our experiences always take place outside, in the fresh air and in small groups. We have ample hand sanitiser available and on site hand washing facilities. As is the nature of working with animals, all our staff practice a very high standard of hygine including regularly washing hands and disinfecting surfaces. All equipment is cleaned thoroughly between sessions and we maintain a high level of cleanliness throughout the centre. In addition to our normal measures, we will be asking visitors to use hand sanitiser on arrival at the centre and at regular invervals throughout each experience.
If you have a booking for a Bird of Prey Encounter or a Falconry Day, please note the cafe that usually provides the cream teas is now closed so we will not be able to provide any cream teas at this time. We have added additonal bird handling to each of these experiences as a way of making this up to customers so you will not loose out and will get even more quality time with the birds. We also understand if you choose to postpone your experience to a time when the cream teas may once again be provided.
We understand if anyone chooses not to attend their experience and we ask that you follow the latest government advice concerning isolation if this applies to you. Anyone wishing to postpone a booking can do so free of charge providing a minimum of 7 days notice is given. If anyone would like to postpone a booking within the 7 day cancellation and rescheduling period would be subject to a £5 per person rebooking fee. We are happy to extend vouchers expiry dates free of charge providing you have contacted us with all of the voucher details prior to it expiring. Any events that are postponed, as a gesture of good will, we will offer credit towards any future bookings with us. More updates will be added here as and when we get them. If you have any concerns or questions please feel free to email us at nsbopc@aol.co.uk
We truely hope you will be able to continue to support us at this incredibly difficult time and we ask that you consider purchasing a gift voucher that can be used at a later date as all of our gift vouchers are valid for 12 months. Acts of kindness like these will be the difference in small businesses like ours staying on our feet and being able to continue with our important rescue and educational work. Our staff are working tiresley around the clock to still provide our animals with the excellent care they are use to.
If you are able to donate, 100% of your donation will go toward the care of our animals and the wild animals that we rescue. Thank you.
Our Aims and Objectives;
Conservation of Birds of Prey through public education, captive breeding,
treatment and rehabilitation of wild injured birds of prey.
The main visitors centre is open to the public for limited dates each year (Please see our 'Open Days' section for more details). We run 'Experience Days' on all other dates throughout the year where visitors can get up close to our Birds of Prey and other animals (Please see our 'Experience Days' section for more details on the different experiences that we offer).
Education is on going to all visitors. The Centre undertakes more in depth education to specific groups and parties, from schools to universities and offers off-site lectures and teaching.
The Centre continues its captive breeding aims; to research species; breed from species not previously understood; maintain the collection and provide birds for demonstrations, both in the U.K and further afield.
We are a fully licensed and insured. We are passionate about educating people about birds of prey and the challenges they face in the wild. We strongly believe children are the future and a child who grows up loving nature and wanting to save it will be an adult that takes action.
Our Experience Days operate all year round
Experiences must be pre booked by emailing nsbopc@aol.co.uk or calling 07557 785621
All of our experiences are fun, educational and very hands on.
From Owl Experiences and Falconry Days to Hawk Walks and Bird of Prey
Encounters, we have something for everyone to enjoy!
Experience vouchers can also be purchased as gifts which are valid for 12 months.
Visit our 'Experiences and Gift Vouchers' section to find our more.
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We also hold limited Open Days each year at our visitors centre
As well as running Experience days throughout the year, we also open our doors to our visitors centre on certain days each year where you will be able to....
~ Meet over 60 resident birds of prey including eagles, kites, falcons, hawks and owls.
~ Find out about our exotic mammals from foxes and skunks, to mongoose and meerkats,
at our amazing feeding shows and talks.
~ We also have a variety of reptiles and creepy
crawlies!
Please visit our 'Open Days' section for timings, admission prices and
all events happening throughout each of our open days.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND LATEST NEWS
May Open Day - Cancelled
April Open Day - Cancelled
We rereleased this wild Tawny owl on 16th March. He was brought into us in the aftermath of Storm Ciara with a damaged wing and was unable to fly. After many weeks of medical treatment and rehabillitation, we finally got him back to where he belongs.
By visiting us on our Open Days and by booking Experience Days, you help fund this important work. On average it costs us £174 to treat an animal in our hospital so every little really does help. You help us, help wildlife, so thank you!
Edit: We have been overwhelmed by the love, well wishes and support Jager and our team have recieved. We have had wonderful donations of cozy beds and blankets for Jager, toys, treats and get well soon cards. We have also been asked for ways in which you can contribute towards the vet and medical bills. Whilst we do not like asking for donations we do appreciate that Jager has touched your hearts and some of you would like to help and we are incredibly greatful for that.
Below is a link to our PayPal account and anything you can/would like to donated would be very much appreciated. A huge thank you from Jager and all his care team xx
paypal.me/nsbopc
A little while ago, Jäger our corsac fox, hurt his leg. X-rays confirmed he had hyperextended (dislocated) the joint and irreparable damage had been done to the ligaments and tendons which a cast and rest would not fix. After a consult with our vet we were referred to a specialist, Dr Kevin Parsons at Langford. Our options for Jäger included amputation of the leg or a complex surgery to fit a metal plate. Due to Jäger being so small and his foot and leg bones being so tiny, the operation was a risk but one we all felt was worth taking to give Jäger the best chance of a normal life. Just over a week ago Kevin performed a Pancarpal arthrodesis using bone from Jägers shoulder to repair the joint and fitted a metal plate to his leg. Jäger has a long recovery period ahead of him and it will be a while before we see if the operation has been a success and he is on crate rest for the next few months while his leg heals. The treatment has been very expensive but we can’t put a price on his health and welfare and he is worth every penny to us. Throughout all the vet appointments, surgery, dressing changes, medication and after care, Jäger has been an absolute super star and we are so proud of him. We owe a huge thanks to Kevin and all his team at Langford vets as well as our own vet for all her advice and aftercare. We will be keeping everything crossed that Jäger goes from strength to strength and we will keep you all posted.
Above: Before op x-ray
Left: After op x-ray
2020 Open Day Dates Now Released!
Visit our 'Open Days' section for more details
Licensing Update:
As of 1st Arpil 2019, all Animal Activities must be licensed which includes animal encounters, village fetes and fairs, bird of prey displays, educational talks for schools and childrens groups, animal therapy visits to hospitals and care homes, childrens parties, etc.
If there is an animal involved in anyway, then the company requires this license. This is to ensure higher welfare standards for the animals being used and greater public safety.
We are fully licensed for both Exhibiting Animals (80551) and Breeding (35243).
We are also fully insured.
If booking a company that has animals, please ensure they are licensed as it is now a legal requirement. Anyone operating without this license will be doing so illegally and their Public Libility Insurance will aslo be void.
Static and Flying displays available for events, fêtes, carnivals, shows, corporate entertainment, television and much more.
For enquiries, bookings and availability please contact us at nsbopc@aol.co.uk
'In the end we will only conserve what we love.
We only love what we understand.
We will understand only what we are taught.' Baba Dioum
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