We are delighted to be working with the Hawk Conservancy Trust and support some of their exciting educational projects. 

Situated four miles west of Andover, Hampshire, the Hawk Conservancy Trust was formed in 2002 to take responsibility for rehabilitation, conservation and research activities and generate awareness for birds of prey.

Cameron was a passionate birder and visited the Hawk Conservancy Trust on many occasions where he loved getting close to the birds, whatever the weather! (see photo above) 

We are delighted to fund some amazing opportunities and partner with the Hawk Conservancy Trust this summer.  We are funding 2 internship programmes, one in the Conservation Research and one in the Conservation Education department.  Aderyn and Sorsha were lucky enough to be recruited and are involved with hands-on experience with public engagement and education for conservation, fieldwork, analysis, and science communication projects while supporting the Hawk Conservancy Trust’s on-site biodiversity work.

This work will give them invaluable experience and skills.  Our sponsorship has enabled them to receive funds to support their time working as an intern.   

Having completed my master’s in taxonomy, I realised I wanted to pursue a career in conservation and this internship presented itself at the perfect time.

The Cameron Bespolka Trust will also support their Explore Nature programme in 2025.  Explore Nature is a programme that invites senior school students and community groups to spend a day the Hawk Conservancy Trust to attend workshops, career exploration, and displays. It aims to encourage young people, who simply may not get the opportunity otherwise, to connect with nature.

They have already hosted two Explore Nature days this year, on Thursday 22 May (John Hanson Community School - 22 students) and Wednesday 25 June (Upper Shirley High School – 12 students). Activities included an owl pellet dissection, bird tracking activity and flying a vulture. They have another group from Upper Shirley High School booked in July wtih one additional school visit planned in September.

The first sponsored Intern
Sorcha is the first Conservation and Research Intern sponsored by the Cameron Bespolka Trust. Speaking of her new role Sorcha said "‘Having grown up visiting the Hawk Conservancy Trust, I am thrilled to be back as a Conservation and Research Intern for the next few months. It has already been a busy couple of weeks, and I have loved getting involved with the various tasks here at the Trust... Having completed my master’s in taxonomy, I realised I wanted to pursue a career in conservation and this internship presented itself at the perfect time."

Sorcha is the Hawk Conservancy Trust's 2025 Conservation and Research Intern sponsored by the Cameron Bespolka Trust

Second Intern
Meet Aderyn, Conservation Education Intern, who joined the Hawk Conservancy in May to support our education delivery thanks to our funding. In her first month, she has been supporting school visits with welcome talks and workshops – read below to hear more about her time so far. 

“Hello, my name is Aderyn, and this spring I had the pleasure of starting at the Hawk Conservancy Trust as the Conservation Education Intern! I have been working with children for 10 years now – all starting with running an afterschool club at a local first school as part of my Bronze Arts Award project! 

Aderyn's first month has been filled with school workshops, events planning, and assisting with bird flying

I also have a passion for science and nature and last year I achieved my BSc (Hons) Environmental Science from the University of Plymouth. My focuses were on environmental chemistry, specifically emerging contaminants, and biological conservation. After finishing my degree, I knew I wanted a job that was rooted in science, but I was unsure which direction to go with it. I was lucky enough to find this internship which combined my two interests perfectly and provided me with the opportunity to explore different aspects of my career such as education, conservation research, non-government organisations/charity work, animal care and management, marketing and branding, and so much more! It’s been such a pleasure working daily with school children again!

I knew I wanted a job that was rooted in science, but I was unsure which direction to go with it. 

My first month at the Trust has been filled with school workshops, events planning, and assisting with bird flying! My highlights have been holding the chatty Burrowing Owls, feeding Angola the Secretary Bird, assisting with school visits (especially showing children different types of feathers!), and creating a new accessible sensory experience for SEND children. I’ve been lucky enough to hold a Barn Swallow nestling whilst it was being ringed too!"

For more information visit the trust's website: https://www.hawk-conservancy.org

We are delighted to once again work with Birds of Poole Harbour in 2026 who understand the importance of inspiring the next generation and getting them involved in nature conservation so that they can go on to protect wildlife in the future.

That's why they’ve set up the Birds of Poole Harbour Young Birders Club for 13-18 years which will be a community of like-minded young conservationists and wildlife-lovers who can share ideas and learn. Also for those with no prior knowledge but just a curiosity. 

We are delighted to sponsor this club so they can organise and expertly run free events for the group throughout the year to get them involved and learning outdoors. Events include:

• Guided Bird ID Walks
• Bird Ringing Demos
• Wildlife Safari Cruises
• Talks from Conservationists
• Much more!

If you are between 13-18, sign up, this club is complimentary and a great way to get involved in something that could be life changing. Birds of Poole Harbour are a conservation charity who will provide you with insights into their crucial work, bird identification and ecology tips and fantastic trips exploring the wild places around Poole Harbour. No prior experience is needed. We want the project to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible, all events are free and we’ll assist with local transport too. 

To be a member, please sign up direct with Birds of Poole Harbour: 

Young Birders Club

If you are between 13-18, sign up, this club is complimentary and a great way to get involved in something that could be life changing.

Birds of Poole Harbour have so many wonderful conservation projects lined up for 2026.  Have a look at their website and sing up for these free events .  We are really proud to work with BoPB to support them so they can run these really exciting events.  

Take a look and see if you can join for this fabulous opportunity:

Hyde Estate Camera Trap Monitoring Sessions
Saturday 7th March & Thursday 28th May

Join us for two full-day workshops surveying two exciting rewilding estates in Dorset! You’ll have the chance to learn how to install and collect monitoring equipment such as trail cameras to help us understand what species are using the sites. After this, you’ll be able to become remote volunteers for us, by processing the data, and pulling out the important information. This is brilliant opportunity to learn surveying skills and looks great on a CV! 

Don't worry if you can't attend both events, just one of these will be a great experience and mean you can still be part of the project.

Book here

Have a look at what the Young Birders got up to in January:

Young Birders Winter Bird Cruise Success
Saturday 10th January 

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle (G834) photos by Young Birder Joe Scorey

They enjoyed mirror calm conditions across the harbour on the Young Birders Cruise and a star appearance from the Dorset fledged White-tailed Eagle G834 who sat out on the mudflats devouring a fish. Highlights included 500 Avocet, 400 Dunlin, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Pochard, 8 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Goldeneye and 8 Great Northern Diver.

They also encountered a colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit (RGW - RNR) during the trip. Originally ringed as an adult female at Harty, The Swale, Kent, SE England on 29 Sep 2012 by Swale Wader Ringing Group, meaning this bird is at least 16 calendar years old! This bird is well travelled, breeding in Iceland, and observed across Dorset, Kent, Somerset, Devon, Hampshire, Suffolk, Essex and Wiltshire during the autumn and winter. There’s still a few seasons to go until she can think about breaking the 23 years, 3 months, 21 day longevity record for the species!

We are honoured and delighted to welcome this years guest speaker, leading scientist, Dr. Campbell Murn FRSB FLS from the Hawk Conservancy Trust.

Read our report on the afternoon talk

Read our report on the evening talk

Tales, Talons and Tusks

This Talk is hosted by Winchester College in memory of Cameron Bespolka, who was a pupil at the College.

Dr Campbell Murn shares the highs and lows of devoting a life’s work to the research and conservation of Birds of Prey. It all started with a book in a second hand book shop. Held in awe, frequently misunderstood and often under-appreciated, Campbell delves into not only why raptors are just amazing and inspiring, but also vital. Hear fascinating stories about working hands-on with these birds, through to the scientific research that supports their conservation in Africa, Asia and here in the UK with various species of owls, kestrels, kites, buzzards and vultures. He will share the challenges these birds face, the success stories and working with others across the globe to champion these species.

The Hawk Conservancy Trust is a local charity whose mission is the conservation of Birds of Prey.

This talk is free but please do book as places are limited.

For the fourth time this event is being run in the evening to give our supporters a chance to attend what should be a very entertaining talk.

Date: Wednesday 26th November 2025
Time: 7pm, doors open at 6.30
Venue: New Hall, Winchester College
Cost: Free

Reserve your tickets here

Primary School Children Talk

Very kindly, The Hawk Conservatory Trust will be giving the same talk in the afternoon to around 450 primary school children. This Annual Lecture has proved a very popular fixture over the years and has featured a wide variety of wildlife-orientated speakers.

Primary school children enjoying a previous year's lecture

Talks from previous years