I have always been interested in birds and animals from a very early age. My grandad built my first aviary when I was 11 years old and I began keeping finches and budgies, over the next couple of years I obtained cockatiels and parakeets. The passion continued and when my parents moved house more larger aviaries were built housing all of the above but also Ornamental Ducks, Geese and Pheasants.

All this continued until I married in 1977 and all the birds had to go due to lack of time because of work and lack of room at our new marital home. Family and work life took over and it wasn’t until 2014 until birds became part of my life again.

Whilst out visiting a garden centre near Newton Abbot one day we noticed a sign saying Devon Bird of Prey Centre. I had always been intrigued by birds of prey so we visited. It was amazing seeing all these beautiful Hawks and Owls etc. After chatting to the owner I agreed to volunteer at the centre for a day per week.

After being there for a few months they started doing displays at a wildlife park near my home, so I asked if I could help there as it was easier regarding travelling. It went so well that I began assisting with bird handling and flying displays. I was lucky enough to obtain a full time job at the park not just with the Birds of Prey but also with the other wildlife there, which included Otters, Lynx, Scottish Wildcats, Red Squirrels and later Wolves! I also did talks to the public on Otters and Red Squirrels and loved the job.

In May 2016 I applied and successfully obtained a job at Tamar Otter and Wildlife Centre in Cornwall, where part of my job was to do Bird of Prey talks and handling with the public and also Otter talks and feeds along with normal senior keeper duties looking after not just Otters (Asian Short Clawed and European), but also Meerkats, Polecats, Servals, Chipmunks, Wallabies, Fallow and Muntjac Deer as well as the Birds of Prey. At the centre we have European Eagle Owls, Bengal Eagle Owls, Great Horned Owls, Tawny Owls, Barn Owls, Little Owls, Buzzards, Harris Hawk, Red Tailed Hawk and Kestrel. 

Regretfully due to the Covid 19 pandemic the park was forced to close permanently in November 2020, all the animals had to be rehomed and I was out of a job.

On leaving the park I was given the amazing opportunity to rehome one of our birds (Nina a four year old Barn Owl). Therefore I decided to start an Owl Handling Experience with her and Owl Show and Tell was born.