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Attraction | Bird of Prey Centre
Included With Admission

Birds of prey centre

mEET OUR MAJESTIC BIRDS

Leeds Castle’s Bird of Prey Centre houses birds from a variety of different species, from our smallest Burrowing Owl to our largest, a Russian Steppe Eagle.

Every day (weather permitting) the birds are on public display on the weathering ground and in their aviaries. Each bird has an information sign showing their name, species, age, origin and what they like to eat. The Bird of Prey Centre is located behind the Maze. 

April to September: 10am to 5pm daily

October to March: 10am to 4pm daily

Leeds Castle Bird of Prey Centre is a Zoo Licenced premises, Licence number: MBCZOO/001/23

Copies of the licence can be found at the Visitor Centre and entrance to the Bird of Prey Centre.

Presenter Ben Cajee opens the Knights’ Stronghold and Adventure Golf at Leeds Castle. Picture: www.matthewwalkerphotography.com
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Could you help our Falconry team care for our birds of prey? All items on our Amazon wish list are to help with the birds of prey & wildlife that call Leeds Castle home. All items purchased are very much appreciated and will help us to continue to care for the birds & animals. Click the link to donate an item.

Meet the falconry team

Mark - Leeds Castle Falconry Team

Mark Brattle, Falconry & Wildlife Manager

Mark’s life-long fascination with birds of prey began at three years old followed by visits and experiences at falconry centres throughout the UK. The first decade of his career was spent learning the art of falconry from apprenticeship to Head Falconer positions at the bird of prey centres across the country.

In February 2012 Mark joined Leeds Castle to set up and manage the Falconry Department sourcing birds, equipment and staff. Mark has established a talented and hardworking team of falconers who have great fun looking after the birds of prey for the enjoyment of visitors to the Leeds Castle estate.  

All items on this wish list are to help with the Birds of Prey & Wildlife that call Leeds Castle home. All items purchased are very much appreciated and will help us to continue to care for the birds & animals.

Hannah James, Head Falconer

Hannah’s passion for birds of prey started at 10 years old when a falconry centre visit triggered a fascination with the bond between the Falconer and his Bald Eagle.

Hannah spent the next few years studying birds of prey before being bought her first bird Keye, a Harris Hawk who now resides at Leeds Castle, allowing her to train him, gain his trust and share new experiences.

Following work experience with Mark in Kent, Hannah ran her own bird of prey centre for five years where she helped rescue birds and taught people about Falconry. Hannah began working at Leeds Castle in March 2012. 

Hannah - Leeds Castle Falconry Team
Sam - Leeds Castle Falconry Team

Sam Weir, Falconer

Sam’s love for birds of prey started from a young age as he was lucky enough to have a bird of prey team visit his school. From then Sam visited as many falconry centres as he could each time getting more fascinated with the bond between the raptors and their handlers.

Sam then started volunteering which led into an apprenticeship at a bird of prey centre in Kent. By being with the birds on a daily basis, his love for birds of prey really flourished. After going to Hadlow Collage and studying Animal Management and after doing a period of work experience at Leeds Castle he managed to get a position as a volunteer with the Falconry & Wildlife Team. He started to volunteer at Leeds Castle in January 2019.

A couple of years later Sam has bought two birds of his own, a Harris Hawk named Harper and a Hybrid Falcon named Morgan, both of which love to fly in the Castle Grounds. Sam became a member of staff and joined the team permanently in August 2022.

Meet The Birds

Mozart

European Eagle Owl

Broc

Harris Hawk

Coco

Asian Brown Wood Owl

Norris

Tawny Owl

Sarabi

Pale Chanting Goshawk

Hendricks

Ural Owl

Owlfie

African Spotted Eagle Owl

Kahn

Steepe Eagle

Tash

Red Legged Seriema

Travis

Striated Caracara

Penny

Harris Hawk

Woody

Barn Owl

Zorro

Spectactled Owl

Stella

Siberian Eagle Owl

Louis

Chaco Owl

FUN FOR ALL

Something for everyone at Leeds Castle