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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

Way up in the mountainous slopes, in Europe, Africa and Asia, one of the world’s rarest vultures soars high above the rock and snow in search of a meal. At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve spotted some mythological creature – the orange-tinted feathers and diamond/wedge-shaped tail more akin to stories of dragons than vultures. This time, Tom discovers more about one of the most striking yet endangered vulture species in the world - the Bearded Vulture ..read more

Ugly, menacing and unhygienic – Just some of the words you might have heard to describe some of the world’s most efficient scavengers – the vultures. These winged carrion-eaters have long since been synonymous with death and destruction. Our popular culture likens them to our least favoured political figures and even children’s film and television label them as the bad guys. But do vultures really live up to this cruel and cowardly reputation or is there more to it than that ..read more

In open prairies and grassland from Western Canada all the way to Mexico, an owl digs in the soil, excavating an underground home. This is the Burrowing Owl, a curious bird with a surprising lifestyle of sub-terrain living and a taste for beetles and small rodents. Join Tom as he digs under the surface to explore the underground life of the Burrowing Owl – a species of tiny stature but huge character ..read more

Able to navigate the interwoven branches of our native woodland with ease and with an practically unrivalled reputation for hunting ability, the Goshawk is an almost legendary bird of prey. Join Tom and Hawk Conservancy Trust President, Chris Packham, as they share their passion for this impressive native bird of prey ..read more

It’s possibly the most bizarre looking bird of prey you’ll ever see and certainly one of the largest. With a great crown of long feathers upon their head, a bright orange face and long legs standing them at almost 4ft tall, it’s seems as if the Secretary Bird would be more at home in Jurassic Park or the artwork of a Dr Seuss book. Find out about their striking (in more ways than one!) adaptations and the research we’ve undertaken to better understand this fascinating species ..read more