We were very proud of two of Gauntlet's favourite characters this month. Kitkat, one of our Black Vultures and Scooby our Raven took supporting roles in the BBC's amazing 'Earthflight' series.
They were filmed last year for extra footage to be included in two of the episodes.
We are delighted to have been given the chance to contribute to such a landmark BBC natural history programme.
We would like to wish all our customers and clients a very Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in 2012.
NOVEMBER 2011
GAUNTLET STARTS TWEETING!!
After two years on Facebook, we've taken the next step in the world of social media.
You can now follow us on Twitter, where we will be keeping you up to date on all the latest from Gauntlet. (In bites of no more than 140 characters!)
Please have and look and give us a tweet.
OCTOBER 2011
The Halloween parties this year were as popular as ever and a great success. Both evenings were complete sell outs and a great time was had by all.
The fancy dress was brilliant and of course the birds played their part too!
Thanks to everyone who came along, we hope you enjoyed yourselves.
We certainly did!
to see pictures from the two evenings.
OCTOBER 2011
A treat for all you vulture lovers (and for the birds themselves!)
Our five largest vultures were given a whole beef rib rack for one of our daily vulture feeding presentations.
As you can see they do not hold back and really show their natural feeding behaviour.
SEPTEMBER 2011
Lumpy our young Great Grey Owl has proved he has real star quality.
His big chance came this month when the BBC called saying they needed a Great Grey Owl for their popular series 'Deadly 60'.
So it was an early call at The Manchester Museum, where presenter Steve Backshall, along with Lumpy's help, explained about The Great Grey's amazing hearing that helps make them a top predator.
The programme is due to air in January.
SEPTEMBER 2011
A big thank you to the training staff from Werrington Prison,
as they once again came to Gauntlet for their staff away day.
Just as they proved last year they are not afraid of hard work and cleared an overgrown area ready for building in record time.
And not to mention moving 12 railway sleepers!!
A fantastic job and great fun.
AUGUST 2011
Graham, Lisa and family spent their summer holiday across the channel in France.
And they returned with more than the usual bag of duty free!!
So meet our French cousins, who have come to stay.
Yoda Little Owl
Jean-Louis Turkey Vulture
Thierry Hooded Vulture
JULY 2011
Here's an update on our resident family of swallows.
Four chicks hatched successfully and grew with amazing speed, fledging after about three weeks. They stayed close to the nest for another week or so and are now ranging further each day, still under the attentive care of the parents. We will be keeping an eye on them over the summer before they undertake their first migration all the way to Africa!
JULY 2011
SCOOBY'S A BIG HIT!
Our Raven Scooby took to the stage this month!
He appeared in Damon Albarn's Opera 'Dr Dee' at The Palace Theatre as part of The Manchester International Festival.
JUNE 2011
We once again welcomed The Chernobyl Children's Life Line Charity this month. They have been bringing child victims of the Chernobyl disaster to the UK for recuperative breaks since 1992. Each year we invite a group of children to come to the centre and give them a memorable experience as part of their visit to the UK.
It's such a rewarding charity to be involved with and we are proud to commit our continued support.
Thanks this year go to Cranford's Cafe in Knutsford for provding a wonderful lunch.
JUNE 2011
We have always encouraged wild birds to nest in and around the centre.
This year a pair of swallows have chosen the rafters of the entrance porch to raise their family.
They don't seem bothered by all the people coming and going, not to mention the odd eagle or vulture passing by!
JUNE 2011
CHESHIRE SHOW 2011
Our third year at the Cheshire Show was a great success.
The weather wasn't perfect but the crowds were as big as ever, with over 80,000 people attending over the two days.
The birds all performed brilliantly. The vultures did their best to steal the show as usual, alongside our Bald Eagle, Franklyn who was making his debut.
We were especially pleased with Robert, one of our Marabou Storks. He's the biggest bird in our collection and was an amazing sight when he took to the skies, showing off his 3 metre wingspan.
Thank you to everyone who came to see the flying displays and our static display.
We will be back again for the Cheshire Show 2012!
MAY 2011
A new arrival has been turning heads this month.
Pictured here at 3 weeks old, this is our Great Grey Owl who is already a rising star and is sure to become a firm favourite here at Gauntlet.
MAY 2011
PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION 2010 RESULTS.
We had a great night on the 5th May, when the short-listed photographers for the 2010 Photography Competition attended a memorable winners evening and the results were announced.
To see the full results
APRIL 2011
GAUNTLET ARRIVES AT CAMELOT.
April saw Gauntlet start an exciting new partnership with Camelot Theme Park.
As well as flying displays alongside the jousting in the main arena, we also run King Arthur's Bird of Prey and Animal Centre with a great selection of animals including horses, goats, pigs, rabbits, ferrets ... and our Shire Horse with her new foal.
to visit Camelot Website
MARCH 2011
The new pond is now complete in time for our main season.
The efforts of Gauntlet's volunteers, most notably Alan Boothby, have resulted in a wonderful new feature for the flying ground.
MARCH 2011
SHORT-LIST ANNOUNCED FOR 2010 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION.
We have finally made the selection for the 2010 Photography Competition.
It was a very hard decision, which was a reflection of the very high standard and all the pictures on the gallery were worthy winners.
to see the short-list
FEBRUARY 2011
WEYHILL'S STORY
It's been a long road to full recovery for one of our Griffon Vultures, Weyhill.
She sustained a serious injury last year. Thanks to the skill of vet Richard Jones of Avian Veterinary Services and the attentive care of Gauntlet's staff she
made it back to 100% fitness.
We thought you might like read Weyhill's story as recently recounted by Richard.
(Please note article includes images of surgery)
FEBRUARY 2011
Chef Matt Tebbutt joined us this month for a hawk walk, to film a piece for the television show Market Kitchen.
JANUARY 2011
Here is a sneak preview of something new for 2011.
Staff and volunteers got together in the first week of the new year to start work on a large pond on the flying ground.
Everyone really mucked in with the spades and in just one day the hole for the pond was dug out and the basic landscaping completed.
DECEMBER 2010
December was a memorable month as we spent it coping with freezing temperatures and coverings of snow.
We had upto 45 birds living indoors, but Frosty our Snowy Owl was in his element!!
A big thank you to all our customers and clients, old and new for their loyalty this year.
We wish everyone a very happy 2011.
NOVEMBER 2010
This month we enjoyed the company of Johnny Vegas and his family when they visited the centre.
Here Johnny gets up close to Franklyn, one of our young Bald Eagles.
NOVEMBER 2010
CONGRATULATIONS! To Tristan Cooke & Jodie Turner who agreed to be married after Frosty our Snowy Owl delivered the handwritten proposal!
OCTOBER 2010
We hosted our very first Members Evening this month.
Thanks to everyone who came along for making it such an enjoyable night. We look forward to hosting many more in the future.
to see pictures from the evening.
SEPTEMBER 2010
Gauntlet is sorry to say goodbye this month to John Harris. John has volunteered at
Gauntlet for the past 4 years and has achieved so much. We wish
him the very best of luck at Blackpool University where he has gone to pursue his
passion of photography.
AUGUST 2010
A welcome to Leon Arends, from Holland who is a fellow member of IAATE and a
friend of Gauntlet. Leon recently visited sunny Knutsford to help out and
get close and personal to a few of our larger birds.
AUGUST 2010
The August Bank Holiday Monday was a great success this year. The weather was kind to us and there wasn't a spare seat for the displays.
Regulars and new visitors all enjoyed the sunshine while the birds did what they do best!
JULY 2010
Another of our birds was under the spotlight this month. Pamela, our White Tailed Sea Eagle was called upon to do some filming by the BBC.
Graham and family made the long trip up to Scotland with Pamela and spent a memorable day recording for a show on CBBC called Wild about Art,
which will be shown around September or October time.
JUNE 2010
GAUNTLET AT CHESHIRE SHOW 2010.
Gauntlet were delighted to attend the Cheshire Show again this year.
The beautiful weather and record crowds were the perfect stage for the birds to put on some wonderful displays over the two day event. Among the
many stars of the Gauntlet team our young male Bald Eagle and Basil the Griffon Vulture received glowing reviews.
We are very pleased to say we will be back for 2011 and look forward to seeing you there next year.
MAY 2010
We were pleased to welcome the Training Team from Werrington Prison, who chose Gauntlet for their staff away day. Gauntlet runs educational modules and courses at Werrington. It was a hands-on experience for the
group of six who were split into two groups and really got stuck in with such tasks as cleaning aviaries, painting, tidying weatherings and even moving the fence on
the main flying arena.
They were rewarded for all their hard work, firstly when they all got to fly Shadow, one of our Hooded Vultures. Then the highlight of the day was a hawk walk with a team of our Harris Hawks,
which was greatly enjoyed by everyone. 'Best away day ever!" was the final verdict.
We were delighted with the efforts of our friends from Werrington and look forward to welcoming them again.
MAY 2010
The diversity of Gauntlet's collection took a big step forward this month with the arrival of these two amazing Marabou Storks.
This large and unusual pair have already attracted a lot of attention and really are a must see.
APRIL 2010 Avian Veterinary Services opens it's doors.
A new veterinary practice dedicated exclusively to birds has opened here at Gauntlet.
AVS was born from a meeting between Graham and renowned avian vet Richard Jones, who recognised the potential and mutual benefits
of having such a state of the art facility based here at the centre.
MARCH 2010
Alan, one of our Kestrel's, was in the limelight when the BBC paid Gauntlet a visit.
They were filming a piece for 'The One Show' on Kestrels that will be screened in October.
MARCH 2010
Graham flew out to Albuquerque in New Mexico this month to attend the 18th Annual International Conference of IAATE
(International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators).
The four day conference was a great opportunity to meet many of the world's top experts in avian training.
FEBRUARY 2010
Results of the 2009 Photography Competition
We had a great winner's day on Saturday 27th February, when the short-listed photographers attended a one-off experience and were presented with their certificates.
For more details
JANUARY 2010
The Short List for last year's hugely successful Photography Competition was announced this month.
Such was the high standard that we decided to have two categories and hold a winner's day at
the end of February.
JANUARY 2010
It was business as usual at Gauntlet, despite four inches of snow falling at the centre on the 5th January.
We were all kept busy (and warm!) clearing snow from the paths and aviaries.
And Frosty our Snowy Owl was in his element!
DECEMBER 2009 - NEWSFLASH!
Our young female Bald Eagle took an early Christmas Holiday after drifting out of sight of the centre during a training session.
We would like to send a big thank you to the kind assistance we received from the good people of Cheshire during the few days that we were tracking her.
We recovered her from Rostherne, near Knutsford, early on Friday, 11th December.
DECEMBER 2009
As 2009 comes to an end we feel the time is right to make a special announcement.
Graham & Lisa are delighted to reveal that we have successfully bred two Bald Eagles this year.
This is a dream come true for Graham;
'The Bald Eagle has always been one of our iconic species & to breed this magnificent bird for ourselves is something that Gauntlet is
incredibly proud of.'
Next year will see them take to the air and learn a thing or two from Hannah!!
Let us take this opportunity to wish Gauntlet's clients, customers & friends a Happy Christmas and we look forward to welcoming you in 2010.
NOVEMBER 2009
This month Gauntlet took a new step forward in keeping in touch with all our customers, clients and friends by joining Facebook.
Please visit our page and join in.
OCTOBER 2009
Graham returned to South Africa in October to further Gauntlet's on-going conservation work with The Hawk Conservancy.
New transmitters were fitted to White Backed Vultures that will be monitored over the coming months.
Here is a video to give you a flavour of the 'African Experience.'
OCTOBER 2009
Our Halloween parties were a huge success this year with 150 people attending over the two days.
They were treated to a great night out at Gauntlet with the birds putting on some brilliant displays under the cover of darkness!
And staff and visitors alike got into the spirit of things.
Volunteer John Harris was on hand to photograph the ghostly fun and games!
SEPTEMBER 2009
International Vulture Awareness Day on 5th September was a great success with over 140 organisations from all over the world taking part.
SEPTEMBER 2009
With International Vulture Awareness Day coming up on 5th September, Nibbles, one of our Black Vultures was on hand at Knowsley Safari Park
to pose for a publicity photo.
Not sure what he made of sitting on top of the huge vulture carving!
AUGUST 2009
Gauntlet's flying displays have being drawing big crowds and great praise this month, with upto 14 of our kites and vultures taking to the skies at once!
JULY 2009
In July we launched our new fund raising initiative, SAVE THE VULTURE wristbands,
with all proceeds going to our vulture conservation projects in Pakistan and South Africa.
They have proved to be an instant success, selling nearly 800 in the first month.
We would like to thank everyone who has bought one of the wristbands for making them a huge hit.
JUNE 2009
GAUNTLET AT THE CHESHIRE SHOW.
Gauntlet's birds and staff were at their best this month as one of the main attractions at the 2009 Cheshire Show.
With over 80,000 visitors it was a huge success. Over the two days there were 4 flying displays where a selection of birds
from the centre put on some wonderful demonstrations.
MAY 2009
May has been a busy time for new arrivals at Gauntlet. Joining Black Kites, Black Vultures and African Spotted Eagle Owls
born here at the centre, are a Snowy Owl called Frosty and a Yellow Headed Caracara called Chocolate!
APRIL 2009
We were lucky to have wildlife photographer Alan Saunders in the audience on Easter Monday to record a truly amazing event.
During the flying display Syd, one of our Black Kites, who has been going upto several hundred feet recently, was joined by a wild red kite.
They flew contentedly together for several minutes until Syd decided it was time to come down for his dinner and the wild kite drifted off and out of sight.
Graham expects this won't be the last time we see it, so look out for news of further sightings.
Our thanks this month go to Alan Boothby, one of our volunteers, who has been hard at work over the past few weeks planting up Gauntlet in time for Easter.
Numerous plants and pots have added a real touch of colour and the feeling that spring has truly sprung!
FEBRUARY 2009
This month brought great news for Gauntlet, when Graham and Lisa attended the Cheshire Positive Business Awards.
Not only did Gauntlet win in their category, but also took the top award for overall winner.
JANUARY 2009
The arrival of a pair of Griffon Vultures in January made a big impact in more ways than one.
With their 8 foot wingspan they make an impressive couple.
As part of Gauntlet's growing conservation program, it's hoped that they (Weyhill and Basil!) will
breed in the future, as Griffon Vultures come under increasing pressure in the wild.
DECEMBER 2008
Since Graham went out to South Africa in October, we have been receiving data back from the four White Backed Vultures that were fitted with the GPS units.
From this month you can follow the birds from here on our website.
NOVEMBER 2008
November saw chain-saw carver Tim Burgess return to weave his magic on an 8 foot tree stump.
The wonderful owl sculpture was kindly donated by Alan Boothby in memory of his late wife, Ann.
OCTOBER 2008
Graham returned to South Africa this month to continue work there tagging White Backed Vultures.
SEPTEMBER 2008
September saw the arrival of Gauntlet's smallest resident, Bumble the Scops Owl.
Weighing in at 140 grams, Bumble is a great little addition to our popular team of owls.
AUGUST 2008
Many thanks to Peter Bailey for sending us this amazing picture of Wanda, our African Fish Eagle,
in full flight.
Peter, who specialises in photographing aircraft, attended one of our Photography Workshops and put his skills to great use.
Here's an update on our fast growing Black Kite chicks.
These are the three younger ones and at 5 weeks old they are well on their way to a full set of flight feathers.
JUNE 2008
A second clutch of Black Kite chicks have successfully hatched. They pose here for a family portrait at 10 days old,
along with their 4 week old sibling from last month.
JUNE 2008
FISH CALLED WANDA.
Joining Gauntlet's team of eagles is a beautiful, 10 year old, African Fish Eagle.
Her name? What else, Wanda!
MAY 2008
Another member of the Gauntlet family arrived this month with the birth of a Black Kite, pictured here at 5 days old.
MAY 2008
FULL OF THE JOYS OF SPRING.
Gauntlet's first youngsters of 2008 are two African Spotted Eagle Owls. At two weeks old they get their first
good look at the outside world and enjoy some spring sunshine.
APRIL 2008
A new arrival for spring is Gauntlet's latest resident 'Spikey' the Red-Legged Seriema.
With his striking looks and distinctive loud call he has been causing a bit of a stir around the centre.
APRIL 2008
Vulture Restaurant Opens for Business.
This month has seen Gauntlet's new phase two expansion open to the public.
One of the major attractions is the new vulture restaurant, a huge purpose built aviary for the centre's White Backed Vultures, from where Graham and the team give daily talks to the public.
This represents a new stage in Gauntlet's commitment to raising awareness of the plight of the Asian White Backed Vulture, in particular the project at Changa Manga in Pakistan.
MARCH 2008
Early in March Graham went over to Amsterdam to attend a meeting of The International Association of
Avian Trainers and Educators, of which Gauntlet has recently become a member.
While there he got to meet and talk to some world-renown names in the field of raptors and birds of prey.
FEBRUARY 2008
Here's a 'sneek-preview' of the brand new phase two extension which is nearing completion.
JANUARY 2008
Molly and puppy Kyle inspect one of the aviaries taking shape in Gauntlet's exciting new phase two development,
due to open later this year.
Look out for details over the next few months of this major expansion to the centre.
DECEMBER 2007
Graham, Lisa and everyone at Gauntlet would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
We look forward to seeing you in 2008.
NOVEMBER 2007
GAUNTLET IS ON THE MAP.
In November several shiny new tourist signs appeared around the Knutsford area, making us easier to find than ever!
OCTOBER 2007
THE OWLS COME OUT FOR HALLOWEEN.
Gauntlet's Halloween party was a sell-out success this year, with guests enjoying a magical display of Owls by Torchlight.
'Plop' the Barn Owl, along with many of his friends, showed just what Gauntlet's birds can get upto when the sun goes down.
Tallulah, one of our Tawny Owls, even attracted some wild Tawny Owls who were calling to her during the display!
OCTOBER 2007
This month Graham spent 10 days in South Africa helping to ring White-Backed Vultures as part of a monitoring and conservation scheme.
OCTOBER 2007
DANNY LOSES HIS HAIR!
Congratulations to Danny for raising £500 for the Asian Vulture Appeal by having his head shaved in
front of the public on Sunday 7th October. And Smokey shows his appreciation!!
SEPTEMBER 2007
Assistant Falconer Danny has agreed to have his head shaved to raise funds for the Asian Vulture Appeal!
He will be losing his hair during the flying display on Sunday 7th October.
All sponsorship funds raised will go directly to the Vulture Restoration Project.
AUGUST 2007
Two new arrivals have joined Gauntlet this month.
First is 'Mr Lucky' a young Striated Caracara.
Native to the Falkland Islands, Striated Caracaras are highly intelligent birds and in the coming months
'Mr Lucky' will be showing how clever he is with some amazing displays in Gauntlet's flying demonstrations.
Second is a female African White Backed Vulture who is to join Smokey, our other African White Backed Vulture,
initially as a flying partner and in the long term to enter a breeding scheme.
JULY 2007
SMOKEY MEETS HIS MATCH.
Smokey the African White-Backed Vulture sizes up a bronze sculpture of himself by artist Christine Grime.
JULY 2007
Growing up fast!
Here again are the Black Vultures that were born back in may.
Showing the last of their down feathers, they are almost fully fledged and ready for the big wide world.
JUNE 2007
Temperatures soared at Knowsley Safari Park over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of June.
But Eddie the Bateleur Eagle took the opportunity to do a spot of sun-bathing, proudly showing
off her 5 feet wingspan!
MAY 2007
Wood sculptor Tim Burgess puts the finishing touches to a huge sculpture of a White-Backed Vulture at Knowsley Safari Park.
The piece is part of Gauntlet's promotion for the Asian Vulture Appeal.
MAY 2007
New arrivals at Gauntlet were two Black Vultures.
Bred at the centre, the larger one on the right hatched two days before the smaller one.
They are pictured here at 7 and 9 days respectively.
APRIL 2007
Three harris hawks born at the centre.
Pictured here at around 4 weeks old.
Our third year at the Cheshire Show was a great success.
We were pleased to welcome the Training Team from Werrington Prison, who chose Gauntlet for their staff away day. Gauntlet runs educational modules and courses at Werrington. 
As 2009 comes to an end we feel the time is right to make a special announcement.
Graham & Lisa are delighted to reveal that we have successfully bred two Bald Eagles this year.
