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Falconry Adventures

“If you put your arm up like this and clench your fist you’re giving the bird something substantial to land on,” explains Andrew Blake.

As soon as I bring my hand up I’m aware that there is something moving out of the tree canopy to my right. As I turn to see what it is there’s a great flapping of wings, a rustle of feathers and suddenly two taloned feet are gripping onto my leather glove momentarily making my arm sag. I’m greeted by two piercingly orange eyes, a hooked beak and a face framed by subtle plumage.

“Let me introduce you to our Bengal eagle owl, Winnie.”

She munches on a dead chick and with one flap of her powerful wings is airborne and heading back to the branches.

I’m with Blake and half a dozen of his clients on a Falconry Adventure Day in the rolling countryside of Leicestershire. Leaves are falling from the trees and the sun is bright against a deep blue sky.

Winnie again swoops from the tree and then flies from person to person. As she does we’re told about her hunting techniques, feathers, eating habits and how she would live in the wild. It’s fascinating stuff that’s interspersed with practical demonstrations.

We eventually reach a clearing that leads onto a ploughed field. Blake opens the boot of his hatchback and a great lolloping dog bounds out of the back. It runs around in circles and starts frantically digging. Several loud barks mark the end of its entrance, nearly as dramatic as Winnie’s but without the flight, and it then plops to the floor at its master’s feet.

“Meet Boris. He’s a crucial member of the team.”

For the next couple of hours we get to fly a tawny eagle, a peregrine falcon and two Harris hawks, Biggles and Dolly. Each of the breeds having distinct qualities and characteristics that become evident when you’re able to get so close to them. Lighter feathers, a more powerful beak, differing wing shapes; all developed to make them more adept at their individual hunting style.

They soar around the field, perching high in the neighbouring trees before being lured back to one of our gloves with the promise of a tasty morsel. The session is all about hands on learning and it’s wondrous to see the strength, grace and agility of these creatures at what is literally arm’s length.

Over lunch, which is a hearty al fresco affair in the woods, I find that the rest of the group all come from very different walks of life. There’s a bank manager, a warehouse foreman, a student and a health worker. The one thing that they have in common is a love of wildlife and the countryside.

Once the pork pies, wholemeal bread and chunks of cheese are tucked away Blake says, ‘Who’s up for some hunting?”

With that he opens a large black box and pulls out two ferrets; one with a dark flash of colouring across its eyes and the other albino.

“Zorro is wearing the mask and this one is Mash.”

They blink their eyes in the strong sunlight and twitch their little noses.

Armed with the two Harris hawks, the ferrets and Boris the dog we start stalking across a large open field. I’m carrying a long portable perch that is designed to give the hawks a high vantage point in the absence of a handy tree.

We’re trying to flush out rabbits from the undergrowth for the birds to spot from above. As they fly over our heads scanning the field I get a real sense of anticipation and excitement. Every rustle or crack is greeted with an expectancy to see one of our birds plunge from the sky.

After a good thirty minutes of high tension and drama but unfortunately no rabbits, we are guided to a large warren that is hidden underneath a canopy covering. A multitude of holes disappear into the ground and fresh droppings litter the floor.

Blake indicates for us be quiet and then takes Zorro and Mash out of their box and drops them down a hole. Deep below us there’s a rumble of scampering feet and a rabbit speeds out heading for the long grass in the adjacent field.

Biggles is some fifty yards away. He spots the commotion and sweeps downward honing in on the moving rustle of grass. As he disappears into the undergrowth we’re all rooted to the action in silence. Even the dog is quiet. After a few seconds he flies back out again with nothing in his claws.

On this particular occasion it’s bunny 1, falcon nil.

My money is on the bird next time.

For more information visit www.birdonthehand.co.uk or to go to the Bird on the Hand's Online Shop.

All pictures by Philip Hollis

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