Owl centre celebrates re-opening after last month's floods

Kirkleatham Owl Centre is back up and running as normal after it was forced to close when it suffered severe damage in last month's floods

Staff and volunteers at Kirkleatham Owl Centre are celebrating its reopening after being hit by last month's flood .

Several birds were killed during the September 6 deluge which saw the Redcar centre flooded for the first time in its 23-year history.
Since then, staff and volunteers have been busy repairing fences and aviaries damaged by the storm water .

Visitors saw manager Craig Wesson feed the centre’s meerkat troop and crowds of parents and children watched flying displays by beautiful barn owl Bizzy and hilarious antics by Chop Suey, the runner duck.

The owl centre was left with thousands of pounds worth of damage, including to aviaries and the sad loss of a number of birds, as a result of the huge flood of September 6.
Now, after weeks of hard work, and “overwhelming” backing from the public - the centre is back operating as normal.

Craig said: “I’m really delighted to see everything running smoothly once again.
“There are about 80 birds now of various species like owls, vultures, ibis and many more.
“It’s great to see people visiting from the summer time and some new faces too. It’s encouraging.”

He said staff and volunteers still have much work to do, including some big building projects over the winter.

But he is so thankful for the “huge support” from local community members who have provided supplies of animal feed and cleaning equipment – and much more.

“The support’s been overwhelming and made us all realise how much people care about the owl centre,’’ he said.

The facility, which has been a visitor attraction for more than 20 years, continued to carry out
rehabilitation work with sick and injured wildlife despite the temporary closure.

It now has a full programme of events planned for the half-term break and will be open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 4.30pm and during the winter the same times, from Thursday to Sunday.
Stephen Beedle, 46, from Guisborough, visited with wife June, son Matthew, nine and daughter Emily. The family is a keen sponsor of some of the birds.

Matthew said: “We’ve been here lots of times, but never get tired of it. We love the birds and it’s great to see them back.”

Volunteer Penny Curtis, 37, of Great Ayton, said: “It’s wonderful to see the centre open again - and so many people here enjoying it.”

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