Now that our peak season is over, we’ve decided to remove our row of back Weatherings.
In the past, this is where our flying team would have been tethered during the daytime, watching all of our visitors coming and going. With increased awareness of bird welfare, we made the decision last year to phase out this element of their life with us. Last winter we built a completely new block of aviaries next to our Flying Ground, and since it was completed in the spring, most of our flying team have moved in and found it much to their liking.
One of our Falcons tethered in the Weatherings a few years ago. They are now free lofted in aviaries.
Feedback from visitors over the summer was also positive about this change, as it creates a more natural atmosphere to our Flying Displays as the birds fly on and off of their own accord. If we asked for a pound from every visitor who goes “WOW” when Tura flies on, it would certainly help keep us well stocked with food!
Tura making her entrance from her new home.
The Weatherings have sat empty over the summer, which has led to some confusion form visitors, expecting to see rows of hawks and falcons when they first arrive. Signage explained why there were no birds there, and if any staff were present, they were all too happy to explain the reasons for these changes.
Jay and Phil removed the Weatherings in a day!
Last week, we decided to remove the back row of Weatherings. This area will be landscaped over the winter months and we hope to build some new aviaries in their place next year. The front row of Weatherings will remain in place for now, as we do still have a small number of birds which are still tethered for their own safety from time to time.