Falconry Displays

It has been an interesting week. I say in my book ‘Falconry – aspects of care of the trained falcon and hawk’ the importance of daily flying of falcons to build up fitness. Apart from staying longer in the air the falconer is able to develop the bird by rewarding it for good a manoeuvre like a vertical stoop or for gaining height. This a skill and good lure swinging can help. It is similar to a wild falcon learning to hunt and as Phillip Glasier would say “learn how to stick out a foot sideways”. Some birds that are fit seem to keep a residual fitness even after a rest others lose condition very quickly and the whole process of getting fit needs to start again.

There never seems to be a perfect day for flying. It is too windy or something and of course each bird is different. It is only by flying a bird in all weathers and not shying away that you really get to know a bird and its potential. Many years ago and I mean many! I had male lugger falcon called ‘Waqar’ that I would fly. He would just go through the motions – as it were. Then at a Show he flew incredibly well. The wind and location  was just right and thereafter he became when of the best birds we ever had. He was fast and manoeuvrable and he could surf the breeze in a way that only luggers can. It was just a sudden quantum leap forward and can only happen if you chance your arm. Of course as professional falconer – or at least I did – you would always fly if possible. But I have said in the book the falconer but not be too ‘gung ho’ when deciding where and when to fly and risk losing the bird.

It has been a good here – recently – for wild peregrines sightings. I have seen – no doubt it is the same bird – two occasions a peregrine carrying prey – straight lining it back no doubt to the nest site and then another hunting where I fly my own birds. So wonderful to see. Often I don’t see peregrines for several weeks and then I will see one everyday for a week. It depends on where they are are hunting and if I am looking in the right direction! As a falconer you become very good at picking things up visually be it a wild falcon or a rabbit feeding in the grass. It goes with the job.

Well back at home I have been doing some maintenance – staining the loft that my son and I built for the book in the step by step guide. I am ‘if you like’ following my own guidelines and doing it a little bit at a time. The loft itself is now 2 years old and still looking brand new. I will sign off with a picture of the loft inside with a lanneret feeding on the food platform.