Birds of Prey

[Quinny]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 17 October 2011 at 21:58

[rich1231]

I went on a course a few months ago and had a great time at the Leeds Castle Falconry centre in Kent.

I have contemplated taking it up but the birds need lots of time and care to flourish.

[randlemarcus]

Used to have a Kestrel we found with its jesses tangled up in a bush on some common land near us. Utterly captivating things, though the beaks can be a bit painful when they playfully nibble your ear.

Quite a bit of work involved though.

[rich1231]

Quinny said:

rich1231 said:

I went on a course a few months ago and had a great time at the Leeds Castle Falconry centre in Kent.

I have contemplated taking it up but the birds need lots of time and care to flourish.

Thats my problem. I'd love to take it up, but I suspect there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.

And like anything to do with keeping animals, if you can't do it justice don't do it.


How long was the course???

They do 5 day courses that teach quite alot... but everyone I have spoken to says get a mentor to take you on as its not something that 5 days will cover in enough detail.

Go on a days course somewhere then see if you enjoy it. Its fine to walk away and leave it up to the really dedicated and admire the birds with a bit more knowledge than before.

[The Dude]

I'd agree with what Rich said.

I've done two courses (a weekend one in Devon and a 5 day one at Cheshire) and in January I'm signed onto a 30 week (part-time) course at a local farming college. The more you spend time with people who've dedicated their lives to the craft, the more you understand what a massive commitment it is.

There's nothing I'd love more than to own a bird but I'm still in two minds due to a) the amount of time and effort you need to put in and b) sometimes I just think it's vanity and the birds are better off in the wild (even though if you buy a bird it will be captive bred).

[clarkmagpie]

cumbria birds of prey centre was ace
based at kirtlebridge nr gretna, they offer flying experiences, hawk walks and all sorts.
totally great day, well worth it, i cant wait to go back for another go

[mybrainhurts]

I always wondered why birds prey?

Hmmmmm

Stange is that.

[H_Kan]

I recently saw a falconry display at Robin Hill adventure park on the Isle of Wight. It was done by a guy called Steve Hain and his company is called White Falconry.

What really stood out in this display compared to others I have seen was that he really seemed to care a great deal about his birds welfare. In addition to this, he seemed to know them inside out and during the show seemed like a decent chap. Whilst he was doing it he did mention that they run courses.

The display was twice daily and we liked it so much we went as saw it again. If I wanted to do on one of these courses then I would strongly consider going on one run by this chap.

[The Dude]

Quinny said:

Like I said, I'll never get a bird, but I'd love to know more about how to handle one.

Cheshire's not that far from me. Where was the course??

Sorry Quinny, I'd gone to bed and have only just seen your reply. This is the course;

http://www.cheshirefalconry.com/falconry_course.ht...

[fatboy b]

This is not far from us. We'll probably do a handling day in the near future.

Edited by fatboy b on Monday 11th August 08:04

[Jasandjules]

There's a place near Norwich who also do the courses, if you are nearer there than Chesire.

I've only seen them fly at Demos (though a mate kept Barn Owls) though I've never seen a demo where at least one of the birds didn't fek off !

Edited by Jasandjules on Monday 11th August 08:17

[Asterix]

I think they're stunning!

Falconry is huge out here in Dubai. Here's a couple of pics.

We were out in the desert on our way to camping in a wadi and we suddenly noticed a couple of cars (one was a brilliant old Merc saloon on ballon tyres) hacking across the flats - it was only when we got closer did we see that they were actually training up the falcon with live pidgeons.

[OzzyR1]

Jasandjules said:

There's a place near Norwich who also do the courses, if you are nearer there than Chesire.

Edited by OzzyR1 on Monday 11th August 14:00

[rhinochopig]

rich1231 said:

the birds need lots of time and care to flourish.

I see you've met some of my ex's

[Gandalf Beckwith]

Quinny said:

Like I said, I'll never get a bird, but I'd love to know more about how to handle one.

Cheshire's not that far from me. Where was the course??

Hi Quinny,

I've been on a one-day course with this lot - http://www.gauntlet.info/ - who are in Knutsford, and were excellent. They used to do long-weekend hunting trips with the birds - they set ferrets into rabbit holes to flush the bunnies out, and then unleash the birds. Never got round to doing one of these, but it woud be great to see the birds doing what they're built for!

[Gooby]

I have kept (my father and I);
Eagle owls
Little Owls
Barn Owls
Tawny Owls
Snowy Owls
Kestrels

and out of them bred
Eagle owls
Little owls
Tawny owls

What do you want to know?
They make awful pets (owls are not that clever - very instinctive)
They are tricky to feed but are captivating animals and an honour to be around.

I have flown one of the eagle owls and it is tricky and very involved. If you want it as a hobby then there will be little time for much else.

[rhinochopig]

Gooby said:

I have flown one of the eagle owls and it is tricky and very involved.

Are you a borrower?

Edited by rhinochopig on Monday 11th August 14:12

[Gooby]

rhinochopig said:

Gooby said:

I have flown one of the eagle owls and it is tricky and very involved. If you want it as a hobby then there will be little time for much else.

Are you a borrower?

What is a borrower?

[rhinochopig]

Very tiny people - a bit like Lilliputians.

[Risotto]

I haven't read it for many years but The Goshawk by T. H. White is a great novel recounting the author's real-life attempt to train goshawks using an ancient book on the subject. It certainly isn't a guide on how to keep birds but is a very good account of the emotions involved - both good and bad.

Edited by Risotto on Monday 11th August 14:28