Springwatch stars host fundraising Night of Nature

Naturalists and TV wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin have hosted a “Night of Nature” to raise vital funds for bird of prey conservation at the Hawk Conservancy Trust near Andover in Hampshire.

Bathed in the sunset of a warm summer evening, out in a wildflower meadow, more than 500 visitors were “edutained” by the pair and a variety of feathered friends, special guests and the charity’s bird-flying team.

The event featured a variety of natural topics and fascinating demonstrations, showing connections between flora and fauna, the tiniest insects, small mammals and birds of prey and illustrating just how vital it is to conserve wild habitats and creatures.

One segment saw Chris Packham’s extraordinary skill in animal poo identification, while another saw Megan McCubbin play dead to demonstrate vultures’ feeding behaviour with the help of three resident Hooded Vultures, namely Sundance Kid, Bonbon and Fagin.

A special visit by Butterfly Conservation’s Senior Surveys Officer Dr Zoe Randle, showed how to identify and encourage beautiful butterflies and moths in our own outdoor spaces.  She also entertained the crowd by demonstrating the Puss moth caterpillar’s special liquid-squirting defence mechanism which involved disguising Megan as a Blue Tit and giving her a thorough soaking!

There were flying displays featuring the amazing hovering abilities of Scout the Kestrel, the grace of Charlie the Barn Owl, the speed of Chaucer the Lanner Falcon and the incredible scale of newcomer Kiara, the Steller’s Sea Eagle.

Throughout the evening, the Trust’s Artist in Residence Alex McGarry worked live alongside ‘Reg’s Wildflower Meadow’ to create a beautiful oil painting of the scene which became the star prize of the fundraising event’s raffle.

By buying event tickets, raffle tickets, memberships, food and refreshments on the night, visitors raised essential funds to support the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s work including research and conservation projects throughout the UK and overseas.

Whilst this was a special event, with Chris and Megan in attendance, the Trust is open almost every day of the year and all visits fund the charity’s work, so it’s easy to support the cause while enjoying the chance to meet incredible birds and see stunning flying displays at this award-winning day out.

The Hawk Conservancy Trust is dedicated to conservation, research and education concerning birds of prey and their habitats both in the UK and overseas, and utilises income from its visitor centre near Andover, Hampshire, to fund its work. Visitors can experience rare birds of prey up close, watch world-class flying displays in three completely different arenas or simply meander through 22 acres of woodland and wildflower meadow.

To find out more about visitor centre opening times and the Trust’s many conservation projects, visit www.hawk-conservancy.org