Freyja Davis and Cumulus

Student, Freyja Davis bought a pair of unusual animals with her to a recent science lesson; a pair of owls. Cumulus, a female barn owl and a tiny Bengal Eagle owl chick are just two of the birds owned by Avian Control.

The company, owned by Freyja's parents, specialises in dispersing flocks from airports, visitor attractions and landmarks. Their clients include Westminster Abbey, Canary Wharf, the Royal Marsden Hospital and Wimbledon. The owls and birds of prey scare off smaller birds such as pigeons and starlings which could pose a safety risk at airports and a health hazard at visitor attractions and industrial sites. As well as the seven-month-old barn owl, the company also owns saker, peregrine and lanner falcons. The Bengal eagle owl chick, aged just 19 days when it made its Brooke Weston debut, will eventually take on its own bird-scaring duties.

Students handled the birds and asked many questions about their diet, flight patterns and behaviour during the lesson. It is the first time that the company, established for 20 years, has brought their birds in to the College and they created a lot of excitement, both in the lessons and while being transported through the corridors.