BIRD lovers from Somerset are this and next month (July and August, 2010) being invited to meet some feathered friends at a garden centre in the county.
Owls R Us in Chulmleigh will be taking along a variety of rescue birds to a Wildlife Weekend at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre at Monkton Heathfield on July 31 and August 1.
Liz Woodward, Pet and Reptile Centre Manager at the garden centre, said: “We’re delighted that Owls R Us will be joining us with its birds of prey.
“Representatives from the sanctuary attended our Wildlife Weekend last year (2009) with some of their feathered friends and they proved very popular with our customers, so we’ve invited them back for our 2010 celebrations.
“Visitors will have the chance to get up close to breeds including a European Eagle Owl, a Little Owl, a Barn Owl and a Tawny Owl.”
Owls R Us, which is run by Chulmleigh couple Nigel and Jo Palmer, is a rescue sanctuary for injured, abandoned and donated captive-bred owls. The husband and wife team has been rescuing and rehabilitating injured owls for more than 20 years.
Liz continued: “As well as chatting to people about their birds of prey, Nigel and Jo will be hosting talks throughout the weekend on rehabilitation and deforestation.
“These beautiful creatures are being threatened by a decline in their natural habitat. It’s important to raise awareness of these issues and what people can do to help.”
Representatives from Exmoor Zoo, who are helping to host the event for the third year running, will also be on hand on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 from 11am until 4pm to chat to visitors about the steps they can take to help the environment.
Liz added: “2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity so we will be helping customers learn all about how to encourage wildlife in their own gardens during our Wildlife Weekend.
“There will be lots going on for people of all ages including a workshop for children to make a bottle garden rainforest out of recycled material.”
Owls R Us will be at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre on Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1 from 10am until 4.30pm.
For more information, please drop into the garden centre, which is located just off the A38 in Monkton Heathfield between Bridgwater and Taunton, or call 01823 412381.