Feathers and Fur

Sadie Shepherd:  As a child Sadie used to collect bones and bits of ‘nature’ that surrounded her very rural Scottish home. After moving to Berkshire when she was 10 years old Sadie continued her passion for the countryside with a National Diploma in Land and Countryside Studies from the Berkshire College of Agriculture. From there her studies took her to the South West where she studied for her Degree in Rural Resource Management and it was from her graduation that she was first introduced to Falconry at a small centre in the middle of Exmoor. ‘My first lesson was patience! I sat for 4 hours with a Saker Falcon on a very hard bench, but was smitten instantly’  From the centre, Sadie’s passion grew to take her around the world volunteering in America, Iceland and Africa. ‘

In 2006 Sadie went to work for a falcon breeding centre in Derbyshire, this was a real eye opener into the true falconry world of hunting. Over the winter I looked to start my own business, returning to my passion of education. Hawks on Walks was launched in 2007 and successfully relocated to Shropshire where the business really took off. From flying the Harris Hawks I realized that there is a real hole in our knowledge of British Birds of Prey and I started to really look at expanding to include these magnificent birds. In 2009 Sadie sold Hawks on Walks and has returned to Berkshire with Feathers and Fur. ‘I aim to introduce people to the birds that we so often glimpse at on the side of the motorway or admire as they circle and soar above us, teaching how they fit into the environment and how we can help to protect them.

The Birds and Animals

	Willow – Barn Owl, Female, Hatched June 2009 Willow is a captive bred Barn Owl, and was imprinted from a very young age. Basically Willow believes we are all owls!!!! Willow flies for all our experience sessions but particularly enjoys school visits where he is the star of the show!
	Billie – European Eagle Owl, Female, Hatched 1994 Billie is over 15 years old and has come to us from a family that used her for shows and local fairs. For the past 6 years Billie was living with a male however never managed to breed. She came to live with Feathers and Fur in June 2009 and has been a show stopper ever since. Her eyes are hypnotic and she definitely lives up to the wise old owl adage.
	Ash – Tawny Owl, Male, Hatched 2010 Ash is our grey phased Tawny Owl, as an imprint he is perfectly handle able and wonderful with classroom teaching and hands on session. This 13oz Owl is packed with personality and chatter.
	Charlie – Indian eagle Owl, Female, Hatched 2011 Charlie is a very happy character with one strong passion in life….food! A fantastic member of our education team, visiting schools and clubs.
	Acer – Peregrine Falcon, Male, Hatched June 2004 Acer, or Ace is our male Peregrine Falcon who commands attention when he takes to the air. A true show off at outdoor events, his favourite game is seeing how low he can make the crowd duck! At 6 years old this experienced flyer is a wonderful addition to our team.
	Ariel – Lanner Falcon, Femle, Hatched 1997 Ariel’s a wonderful new addition to our Falcon team, flying with true grace and power. At over 14 years old she is among our more mature birds.
	Bournville – Kestrel, Male, Hatched on the 3rd May 2011 One of our newer members Bournville is named after the chocolate!. A male Kestrel, Bournville has yet to develope the males distinctive blue / grey head and tail, but already has the air of superiority that so often accompanies Falcons
	Poplar – Red Kite, Male, Hatched 14th June 2009 Poplar is the symbol of Berkshire wildlife. The magnificent Red Kite soaring above is a sight to behold and Poplar cannot fail to impress. Poplar follows our tradition of tree names, but his nick name is Pops!
	Otis – Common Buzzard, Female, Hatched 25th May 2009 Otis is our young male Buzzard, in training. A common sight soaring magnificently on the thermals beside the Red Kite in the British skies.
	Tom – Harris Hawk, Female, Hatched in 2006 All our Harris Hawks have been successfully flown for the public. Tom our female was reared from an egg, hence the male name! and is our main huntress taking pheasant, rabbit, duck and small mammals in her career.
	Sam – Harris Hawk, Male, Hatched in 2006 Sam is Tom’s hunting partner, the pair showing perfectly the true nature of a Harris Hawk.
	Jack – Harris Hawk, Male, Hatched in 2006 Sam and Jack are our Hawk Walking team and between them have completed over 500 Hawk Walks.
	Roxie – Harris Hawk, Female, Hatched in 2006 Roxie is a new member of our team this year, however is making a massive impact by proving herself as a phenomenal hunter
	Lilly – Harris Hawk, Female, Hatched in 2010 Rescued in November 2010, Lilly has the perfect personality for our Hands on Session and Birthday Parties
	Lady – Cocker Spaniel Lady is a working Cocker Spaniel and rapidly became not only the leading star of Feathers and Fur but a regular within our base at Ladd’s Garden Village. Her favourite place is the pet shop where she learnt quickly is the storage place of all puppy treats!
	George – Continental Giant Rabbit George is a true local, bred in Reading George is a giant at only 5 months old and still growing! George visits schools, birthday parties and care centres. His favourite food is Broccoli stalks and is best friends with our Cocker Spaniel!
	Zippy – Giant Papillon Rabbit Zippy is a wonderful new addition to the ‘furries’, a character all unto himself, still very young Zippy has already caused massive mischief by chewing computer cables.
	Tigger, Teddy, Tubby, Bob Tail and Gimley – The Ferret Team Tigger currently holds the Feathers and Fur record for bolting rabbits! Whilst Bob Tail and Gimley are competing for the ferret that can sleep the most! Our team of ferrets enjoy ferret racing and love cod liver oil oddly enough!!
	Edward and Jacob – Guinea Pigs Jacob and Edward (Twilight fan!) are the hands on lovable team members. Jacob is a long haired gentleman with a massive passion for Dandelion leaves, whilst Edward is the shy retiring type who just enjoys a cuddle.
	Bella -Gambian Pouch Rat Bella is our baby giant Gambian Pouch Rat, who’s favourite game is to see how much she can stuff into her cheek pouches before running off and hiding it in her bed. A real shock to see just how big these rats really are. (and yes still a twilight fan!)