Falconry Displays

We have had a good week despite the hot weather. A school visit proved interesting with an encounter for ‘Pippa’ with a gull – which was very aggressive and tried to chase her away. It was more complicated because she disappeared around a building. We feared the worst but her experience won the day and she  turned and tracked her way back. The students were  fascinated! I called her in – much relieved. When falcons have built up momentum ‘air speed’ they are well able to out manoeuvre a gull and also out pace it – but it is that period when they are taking off and ranging out at low speed  when they are vulnerable. Young falcon’s spooked in such a way can be easily lost.

I leave you with a picture of ‘Madam’ sitting to have her photo taken. What is remarkable is that this field of spring barley was planted barely ten weeks ago and has now has been harvested!