We are a dedicated falconry centre
devoted to providing probably the best birds
of prey experiences in the UK. We are located in Vale Royal which
is in the heart of rural Cheshire in the Northwest of England. You can
easily locate us by visiting our find
us page which provides detailed directions by car or by public transport.
Which ever way you travel you are assured of a great falconry day
out in Cheshire.
At our falconry centre we
not only provide some unique and exciting falconry
experiences and displays with our hawks, falcons and owls but a
whole range of products for anyone interested in learning more about falconry
and equipment for falconers who are just starting out. We have a
wealth of experience which we are pleased to share with anyone who has
an interest in falconry.
One of our most popular items are our Gift
Vouchers which can be purchased either for yourself or as a surprise
gift. These provide a great introduction to falconry or
simply just to enjoy a very unique experience. Just getting close
to and 'hands-on' with any our birds
of prey experiences is something you'll never forget. We cater
for the enthusiastic junior with our junior owl
experiences, introductory
and advanced falconry lessons for the aspiring falconer, or our
ultimate and unique eagle encounter. Our experiences are tailored
for each individual regardless of whether a complete newcomer to falconry or
the experienced bird handler.
About Falconry
In the 1990's - present day, we have seen an increase in most of the
large raptors in the UK. The White Tailed sea eagle has been successfully
reintroduced to Scotland, peregrine falcons are on the increase and
common buzzards are easy to find in all but the most urban areas.
In Scotland there is an increasingly large population of eurpean
eagle owls, the result of escaped captive populations and even the iconic
golden eagle and osprey numbers are increasing steadily.
Falconry Flying
Falconry, defined as the use of a raptor to take game, is currently
practiced in many countries around the world. Trained birds of prey
are also used in arenas such as education, conservations, bird pest
species control and the techniques are also every useful in rehabilitation,
for example, the Peregrine Fund uses falconry techniques in a study
involving the endangered Harpy Eagle in Panama.
In the UK, falconry is permitted without a special license, but only
using captive-bred birds. All birds are ringed and registered, and can
be DNA tested to verify their origins. Anyone may possess captive-bred
raptors, though this is not necessarily considered falconry. Falconry
is hunting with a trained bird; a bird kept as a pet is not considered
a falconer's bird. Birds may be used for breeding or kept after their
hunting days are done, but a young, fit bird should be flown at quarry.
The long-winged falcon usually flies only after birds. Classical game
hawking saw a brace of peregrines flown against grouse, or merlins in
'ringing' flights after skylarks. Rooks and crows are classic game for
the large falcon, while the magpie, making up in cunning what it lacks
in flying ability, is another common target. Short-wings can be flown
in wooded country, but falcons require large open tracts where the falconer
can follow the flight with ease. Medieval falconers often rode horses
but this is now rare.
Falconry is always associated with the Middle
Ages, and many of its terms and practices might seem archaic. However,
the last 30 years has
seen a great rebirth of the sport, with a host of innovations. One
of these, stemming from the captive breeding of birds which has rejuvenated
the sport, is the creation of 'hybrid' falcons. Falcons are more
closely
related than many suspected, the heavy northern Gyrfalcon and Asiatic
Saker being especially closely related, and they may interbreed naturally
to create the so called 'Altai' falcon. Hybrids are commonly created,
using artificial insemination, to boost size, strength and vigour.
Though the practice is controversial, it seems here to stay. However,
despite
the obvious innovations, such as the use of radio telemetry used
to track errant falconry birds, the principles and practise of falconry
has remained largely unchanged in the last thousand years.The "furniture" used
on the birds, the leather anklets and jesses are almost identical
to those used by falconers in the Middle Ages despite the use of new
fabrics
such as Goretex being available for the construction of such items.
Falconers often used to begin with a kestrel, but this little falcon is really
too delicate for a beginner's hands, and the European Buzzard is similarly
useless for taking quarry. The first bird of choice is either the relatively
hardy Harris Hawk or the slightly more demanding Red-tailed Hawk. The beauty
of these birds, easily bred in captivity, is that they can be used to take
quarry and can easily satisfy a falconer's demand for a capable bird in themselves.
The Lanner falcon makes a good first long-wing, with a Peregrine, or a hybrid
containing Peregrine or Gyr genes being the next step. The choice will ultimately
depend upon the quarry species being flown at and the nature of the land
available for the falconer to fly on.
Falconry is not the preserve of the past, or the lord of the manor.
If its simple but inviolable precepts are followed, a well-trained bird
is a delight for many years. Falcons can live into their mid teens,
with larger hawks living longer and eagles likely to see out their middle
aged owners. The captive breeding of birds rescued a dying sport in
the seventies and has ensured its good health today. Flying a raptor
is a delight, but represents a long-term commitment of time, and almost
inevitably, money. A bird cannot be loaned out to a next-door neighbour
while the falconer holidays, nor hung up in a cupboard like a gun. One
mistake can lose the bird, but the hours of care and attention in training
is repaid in full by the thrill of a perfect flight.
In Australia, although falconry is not specifically illegal, it is
illegal to keep any type of bird of prey in captivity. The only exemption
is when the birds are kept for purposes of rehabilitation for which
a licence must still be held, circumstances under which the practice
can be an effective tool used in returning a bird to health.
Most of Europe practices falconry under varying degrees of regulation.
Owls and Eagles are sometimes used in North American and European falconry.
In Kazakhstan the golden eagle is used extensively, hunting game as
large as fox and wolf. It has been reported that a pair of Bergut Golden
Eagles (an exceptionally large variation of the Golden Eagle) equipped
with steel sheathings over their talons, has historically been used
to hunt tigers!
South Korea allows a small number of people (4 in 2005) to own raptors
and practise falconry as a cultural asset.
