Although not particularly large, Liberty’s Raptor and Reptile Centre puts on several talks and flying displays each day, spread throughout the day, so your visit will more than likely take in one of these at some point.
The flying displays are impressive if you’ve never seen one before, and demonstrate the amazing hunting abilities of certain birds of prey. In fact, falconry, as the skill is known, is a tradition that dates back many centuries in the New Forest, to the time when the area was a royal hunting ground.

In addition to the standard falconry displays, the centre also offers full day ‘Flying Experience Days‘ where you can try the skill first hand. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning to fly birds of prey and owls.

While the majority of the birds at Liberty’s are caged, many of the raptors are perched on tree stumps in an open-air grassed area. These are the birds that are regularly flown at the flying field, and they are not at all phased by being on such open display.