Feathers and Fur Bracknell Falconry now open to the public

Now situated in Moss End Garden Village in Bracknell, the falconry is home to 22 birds of prey, most of which are British and include barn owls, peregrine falcons, kestrels, snowy owls and eagle owls. 

Falconer Olivia Wallace (left) and owner Sadie Shephard (right) (Image: Chris Weaver - Ascot Headshots)

Owner Sadie Shephard said: "We are overjoyed to finally open.

"We are so excited to show everybody the birds and to teach people.

"Most of our birds are British, so it is our passion to make people fall in love with the wildlife right on their doorstep in Bracknell.

"Most people don't know about them. So to come down to the centre people can learn about the birds and then go out in their own areas and actually see these birds and understand them and see what they need to conserve them, to make sure that they stay in Bracknell and Berkshire."

"The whole of Moss End is such a fabulous place to visit now. We have a reptile shop on site, there is a fish shop, an antiques barn and a refill shop.

"It is a super afternoon out like a mini trip to the zoo."

Owner Sadie Shephard (Image: Chris Weaver - Ascot Headshots)

The centre reopened over the weekend, November 12 and 13, with an opening ceremony with volunteers and cake.

Visitors can see the collection of birds in their aviaries and learn about them from the education boards around the centre.

Keen bird lovers can then go on to do a flying experiences where you can handle the birds and fly them with the help of trained professionals.

The centre has been operating for the last 13 years in Twyford, however, during the pandemic, the centre was forced to move due to their land being sold.

After acquiring the Bracknell site they have had to wait a year and a half to receive a green light to operate as a zoo and open to the public.

This process cost the falconry £60,000 and as a result a GoFundMe was started which covered 2/3 of the cost.

Now the centre is able to open to the public they have put in several protocols to ensure the birds are safe from bird flu.

Visitors are asked to disinfect their shoes on the way in and be conscious of where they have been before entering the centre, with people asked to avoid lakes and water birds.

Birds of prey are one of the few exemptions that can still fly during the bird flu epidemic.