Learning with The British Bird of Prey Centre
The British Bird of Prey Centre is committed to educating children and young people, encouraging them to understand and appreciate our natural environment and ecosystems.
We encourage visits to the Centre, where learners can have a dedicated teaching session, watch a flying display to see a range of different birds of prey flying free and up close and visit the Centre to see the whole collection of birds. The collection features all of our native British birds of prey including owls, eagles, kites, falcons and hawks.
Visits to the Centre can be arranged through educational establishments and new for 2023, through the Elective Home Education partnership with Swansea and Carmarthenshire.
At certain times of the year we are able to offer Outreach Visits too.
School visit at The British Bird of Prey Centre
School Visits
The advantage of arranging a school visit here is that learners will be able to see the full collection of birds of prey, learn about them, through tailored lessons and activities linked to the Curriculum for Wales and the Four Core Purposes. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Every pupil will be given the opportunity to fly one of our birds themselves.
Home Education at The British Bird of Prey Centre
Elective Home Education
We can develop home education sessions for all age groups.
As part of a Council initative, families from Swansea and Carmarthenshire who elect to home educate can now access learning at the Centre for free. Alongside Tadorna Wildlife we are offering a six week programme of whole day learning sessions, which will involve lots of fun, practical activities and learning opportunities.
We will encourage the learners to extend their knowledge by suggesting activities to be done between sessions.
Outreach Visits
From September to March we are able to offer a limited number of Outreach Visits to schools. We will bring a small number of birds to school and deliver lessons that will engage and enthral learners. We can visit for half a day or a full day and are happy to deliver a range of lessons according to each year group's needs.
Our mission statement reflects our desire to encourage everyone to care about birds of prey and we strive to be fully inclusive. We want to make sure that everyone can have a fun filled, memorable visit to the Centre. We have prepared a Visual Story and an Accessibility Statement with further information. If you have any other requirements, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Usually the children tell us the best part of their trip was the bus or the food but this time they were so excited about seeing the birds. It was a fantastic opportunity for them to see such amazing creatures up close.
Sian Roberts-Alatti, Ysgol Penrhos
Flight
You will learn how a variety of birds of prey use their different styles of flight to gain an advantage over their prey. You can work out what styles of flight work best for which species and why. Study wing shapes and styles and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Learn how the human world has adapted our own inventions using techniques from birds.
Predators
In these teaching sessions you will learn about the different ways that our birds hunt for their preferred prey. You will find out about the skills and features that they have which make them apex predators. In the flying display, you will see these skills in action as we encourage the birds to mimic the behaviours that they use naturally.
Owl Pellet Investigation
In this interactive session the pupils become science detectives. Using the dedicated classroom you will have the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet and use the chart to work out what the owls have been eating and understand how their digestive system works. There will also be the opportunity to meet an owl for a truly up close experience.
Conservation
During these teaching sessions you will learn about a range of conservation projects, past, present and future that are happening across Wales and the UK. You will also have the opportunity to get up close to our red kites and our white-tailed sea eagle to learn about their conservation status and how we can ensure these beautiful birds thrive in the wild.
Nocturnal Animals
In this teaching session you will learn about owls and their super powers that allow them to be brilliant at hunting at night, including eye colour, hearing and silent flight. You will also find out if all owls are nocturnal. You will see the owls showing off their super powers in the flying display. There will also be the chance for everyone to meet and hold an owl!
Owl Babies
Your visit to the Centre can be linked to the much-loved book by Martin Waddell. Listen to the story in the presence of some of our owls - depending on the time of year you might even meet an owl baby! You can hear about the owl babies born at the Centre. Learn about the ways that the owl parents look after their babies.
The Owl who was Afraid of the Dark
The story book by Jill Tomlinson where we meet Plop and learn about his fear of the dark is a great reason for a visit to the Centre. You can listen to an extract of the story, meet our very own barn owl and find out all about their features. You can also watch one flying in our display and hear (or not hear?) their silent flight for yourself.
Tailored sessions
If you have other ideas about how you and your pupils would benefit from a visit to us, e.g. to develop creative writing, a photography or art project, please get in touch and we will work with you to tailor a session to meet your requirements.
The British Bird of Prey Centre & 1 hour teaching session
+ the National Botanic Garden of Wales
£9.00 per child +VAT*
Full access to The British Bird of Prey Centre & The National Botanic Garden of Wales all day
including flying display, hold a bird and a teaching session.
* Minimum charge £75 + VAT per booking
The British Bird of Prey Centre & The National Botanic Garden of Wales
£6.00 per child + VAT
Full access to The National Botanic Garden of Wales and The British Bird of Prey Centre all day includes flying display
