LAPFORD Over 60 Club enjoyed yet another enthralling meeting on September 25 when they were paid a visit by Chris and his daughter Bethany, who introduced us to two of their birds of prey, who were Warwick, the European Eagle Owl which is distributed over much of Europe and Asia.

She was accompanied by Abby the Harris’s Hawk, which species originated in the USA, Mexico, Central and South America.

Finding it difficult to name the birds, Chris told us that they are always named after wherever he got them from.

Chris explained the reasons for the different movements that Abby was making with her head and shoulders, saying that she was making sure that we were not a threat to her, and once she was sure, she settled down.

Warwick was a lot more lively and a lot larger, and demonstrated how an owl can turn its head three quarters of the way round, and right back to look straight up.

We found out that owls have different size and different colour eyes, according to where and when they are active.

Chris also told us that birds of prey generally live longer in captivity than in the wild, up to 25 years as opposed to between 10 and 12 years.

We finished the meeting as usual with refreshments and hope to have another visit from these beautiful birds at some point in the future.

Jeanne Whittaker

Secretary, Lapford Over 60 Club