YOUNGSTERS don’t have long to wait until they can visit birds of prey as a falconry centre prepares to welcome visitors.
Feathers and Fur Falconry Centre, which previously operated out of Ladds Garden Village, will be opening its doors at Moss End Garden Village next month.
Owner Sadie Shepherd said her new centre looks “fabulous”, after a year of hard work and preparation.
She hopes by the start of June to have obtained her Animal Activities Licence, meaning families, schools, scouts and guiding groups can book experience sessions with the hawks and owls.
Having spent £50,000 so far on the move and building new facilities, Ms Shepherd is eager to get visitors back in to see the birds.
“Everything feels bigger at our new location,” she said. “It looks absolutely fabulous, it’s a 100% improvement.
“I just want to get back to what we love most, teaching and being passionate about British wildlife.”
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Ms Shepherd said she is “desperate to open the doors”, after working every day since Christmas on the site.
“We just haven’t stopped,” she said. “We’ve worked Monday to Sunday every day to get this place ready.”
Now only a few weeks away, ms Shepherd is also in the process of applying for a zoo licence.
“It doesn’t mean we’re going to have a zebra,” she said. “But it means people will be able to wander in, and come and look around without booking an experience.”
And her zoo will also have a gift shop.
“It’s a much bigger place to come visit now,” she added.
Feathers and Fur has been supported by volunteers over the past year, who have helped build the new aviaries, and prepare the site for opening.
“They’ve done so much,” Ms Shepherd said. “They’ll now be learning all about the birds, and helping to run our shop.”
For more information about visiting the centre, search for Feathers and Fur Falconry Centre on Facebook, or visit: feathersandfur.co.uk
