Come Meet our Handling Team
Our Handlers all bring their own individual experiences and abilities to Hoots Owls, creating a fantastic blend of professionalism, enthusiasm and knowledge.
Gillian Borland
Gillian is the head hoot and has been working with birds of prey for over 14 years, but felt a special connection towards owls rather than hawks or falcons. After helping out in other various falconry centers/businesses she decided that working with owls was the only job she wanted to do and so Hoots Owls was born. Gillian got her first owl in 2008 when her husband, Glenn, finally gave in and bought Gem, a barn owl, as a gift. Ever since she has been expanding her knowledge of the birds and building up the business. Gillian and Glenn both come from training backgrounds which proves to be invaluable for our school and educational visits.
Gillian is the head hoot and has been working with birds of prey for over 14 years, but felt a special connection towards owls rather than hawks or falcons. After helping out in other various falconry centers/businesses she decided that working with owls was the only job she wanted to do and so Hoots Owls was born. Gillian got her first owl in 2008 when her husband, Glenn, finally gave in and bought Gem, a barn owl, as a gift. Ever since she has been expanding her knowledge of the birds and building up the business. Gillian and Glenn both come from training backgrounds which proves to be invaluable for our school and educational visits.
Glenn Borland
Glenn is Gillian's husband as well as co-owner of Hoots and is our chief aviary builder and fix-it man as well as a handler. He knew when he bought Gem that more owls were sure to follow and so planned out the aviary space accordingly. More owls and individually designed aviaries soon followed with our Eurasian Eagle Owl and Snowy Owl joining the family. Glenn has now turned his attention to our Wedding Wings Service. Also, with Wedding Wings becoming very popular Glenn spends alot of his time flying with Ghost and Lancelot when not out on visits.
Glenn is Gillian's husband as well as co-owner of Hoots and is our chief aviary builder and fix-it man as well as a handler. He knew when he bought Gem that more owls were sure to follow and so planned out the aviary space accordingly. More owls and individually designed aviaries soon followed with our Eurasian Eagle Owl and Snowy Owl joining the family. Glenn has now turned his attention to our Wedding Wings Service. Also, with Wedding Wings becoming very popular Glenn spends alot of his time flying with Ghost and Lancelot when not out on visits.
Helen McDonald
Helen joined our team in January 2015 and not only does she come with over 10 years experience but also her very own team of Owls - (see meet our birds) Helen has excellent handling skills as well as extensive knowledge of owls. She is pictured here with her beloved Snowy Owl Harry.
Helen joined our team in January 2015 and not only does she come with over 10 years experience but also her very own team of Owls - (see meet our birds) Helen has excellent handling skills as well as extensive knowledge of owls. She is pictured here with her beloved Snowy Owl Harry.
Jane Griffiths
Jane came to us due to her daughter Amber's passion for owls. After 4 years of visiting us and meeting us at events, we decided to make Amber a member of our team and so Jane became an owl handler.
Jane has now completed our statutory two year training and is a competent handler and excellent teacher. Jane specialises in our Wizard Parties and relates very well to young children due to her extensive experience as a registered child minder
Jane came to us due to her daughter Amber's passion for owls. After 4 years of visiting us and meeting us at events, we decided to make Amber a member of our team and so Jane became an owl handler.
Jane has now completed our statutory two year training and is a competent handler and excellent teacher. Jane specialises in our Wizard Parties and relates very well to young children due to her extensive experience as a registered child minder
Sam Paterson
Sam is the newest member of our team and works mostly with Glenn behind the scenes, building new habitats and maintaining the aviary as well as working with the birds. Sam is currently working on his handling skills with his snowy owl Winter and was recently involved in a rescue which has resulted in him taking ownership of Shadow the Barn Owl.
Sam is the newest member of our team and works mostly with Glenn behind the scenes, building new habitats and maintaining the aviary as well as working with the birds. Sam is currently working on his handling skills with his snowy owl Winter and was recently involved in a rescue which has resulted in him taking ownership of Shadow the Barn Owl.
Amber Griffiths
Amber is the youngest member of our team but she has over 5 years experience and has been handling owls and birds of prey from the age of 7. Amber's hard work and commitment have certainly paid off and she is now the proud mum to our resident pensioner Boo, whom she has owned for over 2 years.
Amber is the youngest member of our team but she has over 5 years experience and has been handling owls and birds of prey from the age of 7. Amber's hard work and commitment have certainly paid off and she is now the proud mum to our resident pensioner Boo, whom she has owned for over 2 years.
Tricia Bell
Tricia is one of our part time handlers and even though she is an owl enthusiast she knows that she does not have time in her busy schedule to own her own bird. She has now completed her 2 years training and is skilled in all aspects of handling, however her favorite part of being a Hoots Handler is delivering Wedding Rings and she stands in for Glenn when required.
Tricia is one of our part time handlers and even though she is an owl enthusiast she knows that she does not have time in her busy schedule to own her own bird. She has now completed her 2 years training and is skilled in all aspects of handling, however her favorite part of being a Hoots Handler is delivering Wedding Rings and she stands in for Glenn when required.