AWelcome to
Manor Farm Animal Centre & Donkey Sanctuary
Castle Hill, East Leake, Loughborough, Leics, LE12 6LU Tel: 01509 852525
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Birds of Prey

            

Our 2 Little Owls are rare British Birds of Prey and the smallest members of the owl family, measuring only 60cm wingspan.  They have taken up residence in the Manor Farm Birds of Prey Centre, along with the Snowy Owls, Tawny Owls, European Eagle Owls and other magnificent birds.

The problem we had was what to name them, so we had a competition so that the children visiting the Centre could come up with their suggestions.  The response was fantastic and it gave the owners of Manor Farm, Rita Thurman & Glennis Robinson, a real headache choosing their favourite from so many good ideas.

Eventually they chose Toot & Hoot, both suggested by Myron Duffy & Mackenzie James.  Myron, 10 years old from Gotham, has already adopted Elvis the Duck out of his birthday money.  Both he and Mackenzie, from Melbourne Derbyshire, were presented with special certficates to mark the event by Ron Maslin, Adoptions Co-ordinator, on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May 2008.

Both lads were thrilled to win the competition, and have said they will be paying regular visits to see Toot & Hoot to see how they are getting on.

If you would like to adopt an animal at Manor Farm, or buy an adoption as a gift for someone, please click here.

                                  

 

 Myron Duffy meets Toot & Hoot up close

 Toot & Hoot - the stars of the show

 Mackenzie James is a little over-awed!

 
   
Myron Duf
 
Hoot n Toot
 
Mackenzie Jam
                                      
         
         

                                  

Rita Thurman, co-founder of Manor Farm Animal Centre & Donkey Sanctuary Centre said:

“It’s a real coup for the East Midlands to attract these rare and fascinating British birds of prey into East Leake . We want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to see, understand and get closer to these creatures than they will ever do in the wild. We want the owls to stay with us, so we are asking children and adults of all ages to suggest their favourite name for each owl, one that hopefully suits their individual character”.

Little Owls are Britain’s smallest owls and these feathered visitors are aptly named. With a wingspan of less than 60cms, they weigh only up to 230gms. However, their aggressive expressions make this tiny predator appear fierce out of all proportion to their size.

Now native to Britain, the Little Owl was introduced from Holland in the late 1800s with the first breeding success in Rutland in 1891. After a population peak in the 1930’s, a serious decline set in due to a combination of habitat loss, pesticide poisoning and collisions with traffic.

With a diet consisting mostly of large insects, earthworms and small mammals, during the breeding season they have been known to make a meal of other invertebrates. The unusual nesting habitats of these ‘Little Owls’ are also a revelation.

                                                                    


                   

Birds of Prey

Bakersfield Birds of Prey Rescue Centre are now in residence at Manor Farm. The birds, including Eagle, Snowy and Barn Owls as well as Harris and Red-tailed Hawks, are housed in superb accomodation to suit their needs and where they can be seen in all their magnificence. 

Please contact us to find out when falconers will be available to tell you all about them.

                            

   
Aviari
   
Aviari
   
Aviari
       

 

                    
Alex the Harris
        
Bella the Common Buz
 
BooHoo the African Spotted Eagle
                                  
 

 Alex the Harris Hawk

 

 Bella the Common Buzzard

 

BooHoo the African Spotted Eagle Owl

 
   
Ha
   
Hedwig the Snowy
   
Nixon the American Red-tailed
               
 

 Hawk

 

 Hedwig the Snowy Owl

 

 Nixon the American Red-tailed Hawk

 
   
Snowy
   
Tia the Harris
   
Tyson the European Eagle
 
 

 Snowball the Snowy Owl

 

 Tia the Harris Hawk

 

 Tyson the European Eagle Owl

 
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             


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