For my birthday I had a Falconry experience day at the Sion Hill Hall Falconry Centre (http://www.falconry.co.uk/).
The day ran from 10.30 to 4.30 and included a tour of the birds, instruction in the falconers knot, how to pick up and securely set of your bird, a hawk walk with a Harris Hawk (called Rolf – get it – Rolf Harris . . .) and opportunities to fly a number of different types of birds.
Unfortunately in March, most of the Harris Hawks were stolen, including Jezz who we’d been on a Hawk Walk with last year. Only Rolf who is quite old (19) was left. He’s taken the brunt of the work since then while some youngsters have been trained up. He didn’t get through the whole of the walk though as he tried to get after a pigeon in a tree and cut himself under his right wing. He went to the vets and he’s on anti-biotics and a couple of days rest to recover.
Here are some pictures and videos of my day!!

Picking up Harris Hawk (Rolf)

Great Horned Owl (Cornelius)

Branston the KestrelHarris Hawk (Rolf)

Eagle Owl (Mr Baggott)


European Buzzard

Boris the Golden Eagle

European Buzzard

On the Hawk walk with Harris Hawk Rolf

Boris the Golden Eagle – an incredible experience!!!