Mike Laycock and family have a wizard time at a bird of prey centre.

HARRY Potter has a lot to answer for.

The snowy owls that star in the eponymous books and films just look so darn cute, and their chicks even more so.

And when people see them at the Betton Bird of Prey and Conservation Centre near Scarborough, they regularly wander up to owner Sue Bishop and ask: can we buy one for the kids?

But of course the owls, along with the centre's other creatures, are hunters red in tooth and claw, and far from suitable as cuddly pets.

In fact, quite a few of Betton's birds ended up there after their inexperienced owners had found to their cost that they simply couldn't cope with looking after them.

Sue, wary of visitors being pecked, had to turn down my request to hold Poppy the snowy owl or any of the other birds when I paid a visit with my family.

She said the birds are only handled by herself and other trained members of staff, except during one-to-one training days.

But the birds, which include falcons, hawks, buzzards, vultures and even a massive pair of golden eagles, are still a magnificent sight, and will be even more so in the summer when they can be seen being flown in a field at the back of the centre.

Information panels and maps in the birds' enclosures explain where they live in the wild, and whether they are endangered species.

Sue, who has 15 years experience of keeping birds or prey, says many have successfully bred since the centre opened almost three years ago.

The centre, situated at East Ayton just off the A170 Pickering to Scarborough road, is next to Betton Farm where children can see lambs, goats, horses, guinea pigs and rabbits in a mini-farm, play in an adventure playground and also see bees at work.

We rounded off our day out by calling in to Thornton le Dale on our way home for afternoon tea in one of the picturesque village's traditional cafes.

Fact file:

Betton Birds of Prey and Conservation Centre, East Ayton, near Scarborough.

Open: daily, subject to good weather, from 10am until 4.30 pm.

Admission: adults £3, children £1.50.

Further information: 01723 865116.

Updated: 15:29 Friday, May 06, 2005