Nature's a Hoot Hawk Conservancy Trust

Nicknamed the ‘wolves of the sky’, the Harris’ Hawk is able to collaborate to secure a meal and to boost their chances of evading predators – quite unlike other species of birds of prey. They’re sociable, powerful and agile. These hawks primarily prefer hunting territories of arid scrubland and semi-desert and for much of their recent natural history, this would be the best place to find them. But new research is exploring the reasons why Harris’ Hawks are now opting to co-habit with we humans – moving into suburban areas and taking advantage of what this new habitat has to offer when it comes to the hunt.

They’re one of the world’s most powerful eagles. With their long wingspan and at a bulky 4kg or more, the Martial Eagle is also Africa’s largest, dominating the sky they fly in as they take their place as an apex predator. They’re a truly awesome species. The downside though is that they’re under threat. Join Tom as he talks to South African-based conservation biologist Dr Megan Murgatroyd about the work she’s doing to gather information about the species that could prove invaluable to their survival as a species into the future.

The African Harrier Hawk is a species of bird of prey with
surprising adaptations - from having a wider visual field to potentially double-jointed legs! Over the last few years, our conservation and research team, alongside scientists from other research institutions have been studying them to find out more. Join Tom as he chats to Dr Simon Poitier about new research being conducted at the Trust, studying resident African Harrier Hawks, Josephine and Baba, and how the study’s findings could be beneficial to the species’ conservation and even helpful in the world of robotic sciences.

It's no secret, here at the Hawk Conservancy Trust we love talking about birds of prey! But for many species across the world, things are not looking good. It’s arguably never been more important to get excited about nature than it is today. In this episode of
Nature's a Hoot, join Tom as he chats to actor, artist and fellow wildlife podcaster David Oakes! Listen all about finding time for nature, tracking golden eagles and how arts and creativity can support conservation.

The Little Owl is the smallest species of owls in the UK - standing no more than 23cm tall! The Hawk Conservancy Trust has been monitoring and supporting Little Owls through our Raptor Nest Box Project for over 15 years. We’ll hear from Dr Matt Stevens (conservation biologist at the Trust) as he tells us more about this charismatic native species and the work he does to help conserve them.

Over the vast expanse of water, wind whipping up the salty air onto the land, there are a great many sights and sounds to be heard along our British coastline and over our wetland habitats. This ocean biome is home not only to species of fish and gulls, but also to the largest bird of prey in the UK – the White-tailed Eagle. Join Tom as he chats to Steve Egerton-Read - the White-tailed Eagle Project Officer for Forestry England – about this incredible species.