Birds-of-Prey Experience. (1 Viewer)

[BazR]

Hi All.
Due to them both being on holiday when my birthday comes around, my son and daughter presented me with an early present the other day. At some point between Sept. 2007, and March 2008, I am to go on a day out in North Yorkshire, where, in the morning I will be introduced to a collection of birds-of-prey, including Peregrines, Harris Hawks, Golden Eagles and White-tailed Sea Eagles, and I will learn handling and flying-from-hand techniques.

After lunch, I will be taken out onto the hillsides of Pen-y-Ghent, one the famous three peaks, with a selection of birds, likely to include Common Buzzard, Harris Hawk and Bateleur Eagle, which will be allowed to fly independently and return to my hand time-and-time-again. Or alternatively, go out with ferrets to flush rabbits to see the birds hunt.

All of the birds are either bred-in-captivity, or rescued birds unable to be returned to the wild. I can understand if some of you don't like birds being kept in captivity, but with this particular set-up I have no qualms, having seen the birds at shows, and having had the chance to speak to the trainers at length: and I have seen the joy shown by children at the shows, and who knows, such shows might well breed another generation of birders. All I can say is that I am looking forward to the experience with great anticipation.

All the best.
Baz.

 

[Wendy Morris]

Oh, wow, Baz...can we all come too.....please?! I shall look forward to hearing all about that when the time comes. What a wonderful, thoughtful present to be given.

 

[Ruth Daniel]

WOW,what a great idea for a birthday present Baz!!!
You must be thrilled?
I do hope you'll tell us all about your special day when it arrives?
Best wiahes,

 

[Mahsleb]

Nice one Baz! :t:
I went on one of those last year
It was a fantastic experience to handle these beautiful birds
and be so close to them!
I'm sure you'll love it!
cheers
Tony

 

[ghostrider]

I'm going on one of these days tomorrow in Chesire. A christmas present from my wife. Really looking forward to it.

 

[mauricek]

What a wonderful present Baz.I really do envy you. Thre is nothing more satisfying than real hands on with trusting birds/animals.Their personality gives you a new understanding of their lifestyle that you will never forget. I do hope that nothing spoils your anticipated day.
i'm jealous as hell.

maurice

 

[Chickadeedeedee]

Sounds like the *perfect* gift, Baz. Guess the Bittern was a tough one to wrap.

Lydia

 

[rozinante]

Are you going to Settle Baz? Check out the scars on the handlers forehead.

I know what you mean about birds in captivity. It can go against the grain at first thought. As you say though, they are, "birds unable to be returned to the wild" and as such are given a good life and they raise awareness and interest among the public.

 

[BazR]

Hi Rozinante.
I'm going to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. I'll look for the scars on our trainers, and I'll add a few more if they don't let me bring one home. LOL!!

GHOSTRIDER. Enjoy your day, and be sure to report back please.

LYDIA. Perfect gift indeed. I'll have to to have words re. the Bittern. They didn't try hard enough.

MAURICE. Thanks for your hopes for 'my' day, and I agree completely with your sentiments re. the handling etc.

TONY I'm sure you are right, I will force myself to enjoy it. LOL!!

WENDY/ RUTH. I will certainly report back with pics as well. Must get Pam up to snuff with the camera for when I'm holding and flying the birds.
Regards to All.
Baz.

 

[Chris-Leeds]

That's a great treat in store Baz. Like the Bataleur, they are a stunning bird. I do have mixed feelings about captive birds but these do get to fly around unlike the parrots and budgies etc. I know someone who breeds birds of prey and he's strictly monitored.
Chris.

 

[brianfm]

Have a great day Baz. I think I would quite like to do something like that myself.

I have no problem in birds being held in captivity in the circumstances that you describe. It can be many childrens first introduction to such birds and I really enjoy going to see the owls at Muncaster Castle, Cumbria where much good work is done.

Have a good day.

 

[BazR]

Thanks Chris and Brian.

CHRIS. I saw Bataleurs in the wild while on safari in Kenya, they really are a striking bird, and I can't wait to get close to them.

BRIAN. Thanks for your wishes for my special day. I feel it's really good for children to get a close encounter experience with birds of all types, and if it fires their enthusiasm so much the better.

All the best to you both.
Baz.

 

[Sue Wright]

Good for you Baz, if you're happy then that's all that counts. Our lad and his wife went a couple of months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I wouldn't wish to try it, but I can easily appreciate those that do especially under the conditions of it all.

All the best Baz.

Love, Sue.

 

[Mabel]

Hope you enjoy your trip Baz and REPORT!!

Ghostrider, you enjoy yourself too!

Needless to say, I'm green with envy.

 

[Wendy Morris]

Have a great day Baz. I think I would quite like to do something like that myself.

I have no problem in birds being held in captivity in the circumstances that you describe. It can be many childrens first introduction to such birds and I really enjoy going to see the owls at Muncaster Castle, Cumbria where much good work is done.

Have a good day.

I sponsor two Barn Owls at this centre. One of these days we shall get up there to see them.

Have to agree with all the comments about captive birds.

 

[Pam_m]

When the birds are unable to be returned to the wild and are cared for in the right conditions then I cannot see any other reason for you not to have a great day!

Enjoy Baz and plenty of pics please:t:

 

[ghostrider]

Hi everyone.
I've just enjoyed my birds of prey experience.
And what a day it was!
I'll not go through the details of the "introduction to the birds" and get down to the flying.
Spotted Owl flying to the hand, when it can be drawn away from catching slugs and worms.
Common Buzzard swooping from the trees onto my hand.
Red Tailed Hawk(Buzzard) doing the same.
Fantastic female Kestrel taking food from my hand.(I love Kestels)
To have a Russian Steppe Eagle(a huge Eagle) come and land on your hand, and feel the power of the bird, is something else.
I don't really want to give to much away and spoil it for anyone thinking of doing it. Go for it you won't regret it.

In the afternoon we went out into the woods with a pair of Harris Hawks to hunt! A 3 hour walk with the birds hunting "naturally" . Any rabbits, shrews or even ducks where fair game. This was amazing, they didn't actually catch anything larger than a shrew, although a duck had a lucky escape. To watch the birds working together and flying through open woodland was fantastic.
And then they come and land on your hand and you can admire them in all their glory!!

I was the only birder amongst our group and believe me, the other people's eye's were well and truly opened.

ENJOY

 

[BazR]

Thanks for that GR, you've really whet my appetite for my day out, which I must get on and book.

All the best.
Baz.

 

[dolphinbride]

Wow, ghostrider! Sounds like you have quite an experience to look forward to, Baz! What a fabulous gift from your children!
Btw, I worked for several years at a nature center that cared for raptors that would've soon perished if left in the wild. And I can tell you from experience that the awe and wonder they generated in both young and old alike is something to be applauded! Can't wait to hear the report of your day!

Thanks,
Kristina