A CONSERVATION centre has welcomed a cracking surprise.

The National Centre of Birds of Prey (NCBP), in Helmsley, has said hello to its first chick of the year – an endangered Steller Eagle, called Rishi.

The eagle has been christened after the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, whose promise to pay 80 per cent of NCBP staff wages during the coronavirus outbreak has meant the conservation organisation can open their doors again once restrictions are lifted.

Weighing in at 105g, Rishi will eventually grow into the largest eagle in the world and will weigh up to 7,300g.

“There isn’t much to smile about at the moment, but I am not embarrassed to admit more than a few tears of joy were shed after this little chap hatched in one of our incubators,” said Charlie Heap, the centre’s director.

The centre, which is based in Helmsley’s Duncombe Park Estate, is part of a global conservation effort to help the red-list Steller Sea Eagle species.

Steller’s Sea Eagles are found only on the coastline of North Eastern Asia and are declining at an alarming rate.

“He or she, as we don’t yet know, will go back in with mum and dad in a few days’ time,” added Charlie.

Duncombe Park has a long history with falconry, with Cecil Duncombe, the younger brother of the first Earl of Feversham, founding the Old Hawking Club in 1863.

All the falcons and hawks were sold when the First World War broke out, with Charles Duncombe, the second Earl of Feversham, killed in action during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

In 2013, Charlie decided to return to falconry by discussing the potential for a National Centre of Birds of Prey in Helmsley.

Drawing up planning permission in 2011, with the help of Jake Duncombe, the centre currently houses a range of different species from falcons to owls.

The centre is currently closed due to coronavirus, but will reopen when it is safe to do so.

For details about experiences and sponsorship, visit ncbp.co.uk