Discussion
I dont know much about it, but love to see falconry displays. I spent some time in the middle east as a teenager, the Arabs take it very seriously. My son is very interested, he's 10 and was thrilled to have got called out of the audience to help at a display in France last year.
I take my binoculars on hikes, its great to find something to watch.
Come on rich, tell us about your interest, got any pics?
>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Friday 6th May 23:22
I take my binoculars on hikes, its great to find something to watch.
Come on rich, tell us about your interest, got any pics?
>> Edited by Balmoral Green on Friday 6th May 23:22
(I can't help myself)
I wouldn't bother spending too much on getting into falconry - it'll be on the no-no list within a few years - it has aristocratic connotations, involves the spilling of blood (or the implied spilling of blood) and might make the poor little voles mice, rats etc suffer a cruel, inhumane death plus the birds are cruelly restricted from exercising the avian right to freedom of expression (i.e. by eating the prey, not bringing it back).
I wouldn't bother spending too much on getting into falconry - it'll be on the no-no list within a few years - it has aristocratic connotations, involves the spilling of blood (or the implied spilling of blood) and might make the poor little voles mice, rats etc suffer a cruel, inhumane death plus the birds are cruelly restricted from exercising the avian right to freedom of expression (i.e. by eating the prey, not bringing it back).
I've been totally fascinated with birds of prey since being a boy and a couple of years ago girlfriend booked me on a weekend falconry course in Exmoor (I'll find a link to the place later).
Possibly one of my life's greatest experiences. To be so close to the magnificent creatures and have them fly to your hand and hold them on a glove (we even took a Harris Hawk out on the moors for an afternoon hunting) is breathtaking. I've got tons of pictures from the weekend, will add some to this post tomorrow if anyone is interested.
The Exmoor centre and their staff we're brilliant and extremely passionate about their work. They even do a full week course which I'm determined to go back and do one day.
Very highly recommended to anyone with an interest.
Found link; www.exmoorfalconry.co.uk/falconry.htm
Possibly one of my life's greatest experiences. To be so close to the magnificent creatures and have them fly to your hand and hold them on a glove (we even took a Harris Hawk out on the moors for an afternoon hunting) is breathtaking. I've got tons of pictures from the weekend, will add some to this post tomorrow if anyone is interested.
The Exmoor centre and their staff we're brilliant and extremely passionate about their work. They even do a full week course which I'm determined to go back and do one day.
Very highly recommended to anyone with an interest.
Found link; www.exmoorfalconry.co.uk/falconry.htm
wedge girl said:
My Daughter did a short course here www.eagleheights.co.uk/
Where abouts in kent do you live? One of guys that works there lives down my road and they release birds down here. I'm basically in next valley but one from eagle heights.
I've been looking into it was thinking of posting on here. Harris Hawk looks best bet or Red Tailed Buzzard. Want a female harris and she will take pheasnats, rabbits. Birds in low flight. Cost about 350 for a bird.
Seems like interesting but takes commitment. Have to weight and fly really everyday. Being at uni I can't do that but dad might be interested. I might see if I can get a job at eagle heights to see if I can get any on job training.
What an interesting subject
As a result of this thread i looked a few sites and it seems the best way to learn is to go on an apprentiship.
www.scottishfalconry.co.uk/apprenticeships.htm
As described above. I am sure other centers/clubs offer the same arrangement.
Basically you attent the club once a week or every day( it's up to you ) and recieve on the job training during the course of a year.
There is a fee and i think that lot charge £600 odd, but for a years knowlege i reckon that is cheap.
Their ownly stipulation is that you donot purchase a bird before the year is up. Sounds very sensible to me
if i had that sort of time available i would have a go.
As a result of this thread i looked a few sites and it seems the best way to learn is to go on an apprentiship.
www.scottishfalconry.co.uk/apprenticeships.htm
As described above. I am sure other centers/clubs offer the same arrangement.
Basically you attent the club once a week or every day( it's up to you ) and recieve on the job training during the course of a year.
There is a fee and i think that lot charge £600 odd, but for a years knowlege i reckon that is cheap.
Their ownly stipulation is that you donot purchase a bird before the year is up. Sounds very sensible to me
if i had that sort of time available i would have a go.
we had a club come up from essex/sussex area for a day in october and again in february, they had a couple of peregrines and a redtail but most of them had harris hawks!
i left the chaps with the peregrines on one side of the estate, and took the hawks to the other side, falcons and hawks dont mix too well apparently!
the falcons caught nothing on either day but one of the harris hawks managed to kill a pheasant squatting in some stubble turnips!
its not really a bloodsport, its more about watching the birds fly and try to do what is instinctive to them! i dont have a contact number because the estate arranged it, but i could probably get one if thats your area,
i left the chaps with the peregrines on one side of the estate, and took the hawks to the other side, falcons and hawks dont mix too well apparently!
the falcons caught nothing on either day but one of the harris hawks managed to kill a pheasant squatting in some stubble turnips!
its not really a bloodsport, its more about watching the birds fly and try to do what is instinctive to them! i dont have a contact number because the estate arranged it, but i could probably get one if thats your area,
I don't know whether these guys do anything suitable (Their activity days might be a bit noddy for what you're after). They're near Andover.
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