LAST week in the middle of one of the coldest spells for years, I visited the Yorkshire Dales Falconry and Conservation Centre at Giggleswick.

The centre is open every day and there are daily regular flying displays.

Look out for a competition in the next couple of weeks and the winner will be given a free half day course during which they will learn how to handle birds of prey.

I had a lovely day out among children who were given close-up observations of many species of hawk and owls. Some species were more friendly than others and a real favourite was Spot, a little eagle owl. He enjoyed the attention and so did Barney, the barn owl, who was brought in injured several years ago and is living happy ever after at the sanctuary.

The Falconry Centre has a cafe and gift shop and an education centre. School visits are welcomed and there are banks of computes which explain the conservation work carried out at the centre.

But the stars of the show are the owls and the hawks which all seem to enjoy the flying displays. Don't forget to look out for the competition but if you fancy a trip to the birds all you have to do is to follow the A65 road from Settle towards Ingleton. The centre (tel. 01729 825160) is signed off to the left. There is plenty of parking.