The Meet the Birds Team are Ambassadors for their species and help us with our conservation message. They all have their own free flying aviaries in the Owl Garden. Some of the Team are part of the Flying Display, others regularly visit schools and events. They are often part of our, on site, Up Close and Personal Encounters which take place during the Summer months. All of our Meet the Birds Team are available for adoption and are great favourites with our visitors. Let us introduce you to...

‘Meet The Birds’ Team

Sparky – the Barn Owl	Sparky was born at the Owl Centre in 2001, to Pedro and Moon, our breeding pair of Barn Owls. It was realised early in 2001 that our beautiful male Barn Owl ‘Georgie’ was becoming rather too old for daily ‘Meet the Birds’ displays. His eyesight was failing and it was impossible for him to carry on being the ‘flagship’ bird of the Trust. Our work is centred very much on habitat conservation, which began with trying the save the Barn Owl. Therefore, it was felt necessary to have a Barn Owl at ‘Meet the Birds’ where visitors could get close and appreciate the beauty of this bird. The decision was made to hand-rear a barn owl who we then named Sparky. Sparky has turned out to be a very intelligent and amenable bird and is a great favourite of the visitors when he appears. He has appeared on several television programmes and has been interviewed on BBC Radio Cumbria!
Moss – European Eagle Owl	Moss our European Eagle Owl was hatched at the World Owl Centre in 1992. She was hand-reared and soon became a member of our ‘Meet the Birds’ team. Moss is very much more docile than her half-sister Doolie. She is patient with the keepers and is happy to be handled and photographed. She is an excellent ambassador for her species. Moss is often heard calling from her aviary in the Owl Garden.
Mortimer – Common Buzzard	Mortimer came to the World Owl Centre in 1995, unwanted by her owners. She has behavioural problems due to being undernourished and badly handled. Mortimer has been imprinted on food rather than on a person so she screams for food whenever she sees someone. As she prefers food to humans she can be very unpredictable when handled as the keepers and volunteers know to their cost! She is still very popular and forgiven before the scars have healed! Mortimer flies well and is a regular star at our ‘Meet the Birds’ displays.
Toby – the Tawny Owl	Toby the Tawny Owl was found under a tree in Garstang in 1999 and kept in a bathroom for two weeks before being brought to the Centre. Unfortunately, Tawny Owls are very easily imprinted on humans and the two weeks he spent in human company proved too long away from other Tawny Owls. As he was already imprinted on humans, it was decided that he should join the flying team at ‘Meet the Birds’. Baby Tawny Owls leave the nest very early before they can fly properly and often appear ‘abandoned’. Information on what to do if you find a Tawny owlet is on this website under Owl First Aid.
Kevin - Kestrel	Kevin the Kestrel was born at The World Owl Centre in the late 1990’s, to our breeding pair Max and Misty. He was one of five babies and was the smallest. As is the situation with some species producing large clutches, Kevin’s future looked a little bleak with his parents and siblings so it was decided to take him away and rear him safely by hand. However, hand-rearing does imprint birds very quickly and this little bird was no exception. He became Sybil the Kestrel until his full plumage appeared and he proved to be a male. His name was chosen by a member of a ‘Meet the Birds’ audience who promised to join the Trust if we changed ‘Sybil’ to ‘Kevin’ in his honour! Kevin is a lovely little bird and a firm favourite with visitors.
Mia – Long-eared Owl	Mia plays a part in our Education Team. When our Conservation Officer takes Mia to schools, events and group talks, it is a wonderful opportunity to get close to such an amazing bird. Long-eared Owl’s are very secretive and it is rare to see them in the wild. Mia has been photographed by many wildlife photographers and has appeared on Blue Peter, earning herself a Blue Peter badge!
Tythe – the Barn Owl	Tythe is also a member of our Education Team. She has the same mother and father as Sparky and was hatched at the Owl Centre. She is a very beautiful barn owl and our own super model. She will stamp her feet when she wants attention and seems to really enjoy being taken out to events. She has also been photographed many times and appeared on Blue Peter.
Rollo – the Eagle Owl	Rollo is the new addition to the flying team. He has been hand reared, socialised and trained at the Owl Centre by our experienced and dedicated staff. Rollo’s name was suggested by a visitor to Muncaster. The name is very apt as there was a Rollo in the past who was a Norse Chieftain and became the Duke of Normandy. Rollo is now trained and flying as part of the Meet the Birds display. You can adopt Rollo by contacting the WOT Office or by clicking here and visit him in the Owl Garden at Muncaster. Read Rollo’s full story A New Addition in the Latest News section. Rollo picture is courtesy of Mal and Jan Moore.

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The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.