WILD Wings Birds of Prey rescue centre at Risley, Warrington, has been delivered some “devastating news,” which has left them seeking urgent help and support.
Back in December 2025, they were informed by the Landlords of Taylor Business Park that their Lease, which was due for renewal, would only be for a maximum of three years as they wished to build more commercial units on the piece of land they currently occupy, along with two meadows to the front of the site.
As part of the final lease renewal, they have also offered a small financial ‘inducement’ that decreases with each of the 3 years to supposedly help them relocate.
Leave before the end of year 1, £15k, Year 2, £10k or Year 3, £5k).
Based at Taylor’s Business Park, Wild Wings Birds of Prey is run by Carole Rose and Ian Middleton at Risley, Warrington, and is a dedicated not-for-profit rescue, rehabilitation, and education centre for birds of prey. The centre houses owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles (including Logan, Koda, and Shannara) along with other animals, and offers visitors close-up experiences.
Sadly, the amount being offered by their landlord “is a drop in the ocean” compared to what they would need to find a new site, paying for another full Planning application, moving and fully rebuilding the whole Centre. They would then not be able to open until we acquired a new Zoo Licence following inspection, again taking time and costing money.
Taking up the story, Carole said: “We therefore contacted the Landlord immediately and asked them to reconsider but sadly we didn’t receive a response for nearly two months, and then just a letter from their Solicitor with the terms of the new Lease. We have now finally had a response confirming their intention to develop the site.
“After having to re-locate and re-build 4 times, we thought we finally had a permanent home here and that the birds were at last safe.”
Due to ongoing health issues, Ian & Carole had made the decision last year to pass the Centre into the care of new owners. Talks had been ongoing with possible new owners who would carry on the work that they do. The Welfare of the birds, Raccoon and Ferrets has always been their utmost priority and finding the right people was very important.
Carole added: “We have dedicated the last 17 years to Rescue and Conservation, working 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Our Phone is on 24/7. Over those years, we have often had to deal with cases of extreme cruelty and neglect, with assistance from the RSPCA and the Police, and are proud to say we have managed to provide care and safe housing for all those birds. Our constant Rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild injured Birds of Prey contributes to the number of protected species such as Peregrines and Barn Owls, along with many other species.
“We are all Volunteers here, nobody takes a wage, our team of Volunteers help to make all this possible and every penny we make goes back into the running of the Centre and the care of our Residents and Rescues. In 2025 alone, we dealt with 71 Rescues. This was actually a quiet year due to Avian Flu restrictions. Since the start of the centre, we have dealt with over 2,000 rescues.
“We need to save the future of the Centre to ultimately save the lives of those that we care for. Yes, we may be able to find homes for some of them, but the majority would face the possibility of Euthanasia. We can’t let that happen, so what can we do?
1. Will the Landlords reconsider? (They will need Planning Permission to build on here as the Land is still designated on the Warrington Borough Council Adopted Local Plan 2021/22 to 2038/39 as Greenbelt (GB1) and HS2 Safeguarded Land).
2. Is anybody willing to take on the Centre now with the prospect of having to relocate within the 3 years?
3. Does anybody have a suitable piece of land, within close proximity, that the Centre could relocate to, Subject to Planning Permission?
4. Can we raise the funding and the bodies required to build a New Centre and also find the right people to run it? People who have the same ethics as we do.
Carole added: “So many questions and so much uncertainty, but we will do everything we can to protect our Birds, Raccoon & Ferrets and all the Wild Birds of Prey who need our help, every single day of the year. Wildlife never has a day off, and neither do we.
“Matt Smith, our Local Labour Councillor, has very kindly supported us in the past and has vowed his full support again.
“We would now like to ask for your support again, as many of you have very kindly supported us in the past. Any ideas, suggestions or offers of support are welcome and will be treated with complete confidentiality.”
Please contact Carole at the Centre in the first instance on 07957416883 or email, to enquiries@wildwingsbirdsofprey.co.uk
