Went to a falconry

Steven Gourlay · #11 15-07-2008, 10:40 AM

Oh just found this one that looks a lot closer to your location.

http://www.gauntlet.info

Steven Gourlay · #12 15-07-2008, 12:13 PM

I have created a map viewtopic.php?f=14&t=98 of Falconry centres in the UK.

#13 15-07-2008, 01:30 PM

I see you went to the one in Huntly, would you recommend it?

Steven Gourlay · #14 15-07-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by struan

I see you went to the one in Huntly, would you recommend it?

For the opportunity to see some beautiful birds of prey i would say yes.

Steven Gourlay · #15 16-07-2008, 10:53 AM

Cheers might have a look at it, going to check out the list of falconrys to see if there is one closer to me.

#16 16-07-2008, 02:13 PM

Steve have you been to loch garten before? Im planning a trip with my dad to see the Ospreys and hopefully get some photos but doubt my lens will be big enough. If you fancy it we could meet up?

#17 16-07-2008, 02:17 PM

I would love to come up and see the Ospreys as ive seen so much of them on springwatch this year, doubt i will get anytime this year. :(

Steven Gourlay · #18 16-07-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by struan

Steve have you been to loch garten before? Im planning a trip with my dad to see the Ospreys and hopefully get some photos but doubt my lens will be big enough. If you fancy it we could meet up?

Hi Struan

I have never been to loch garten before but i too would like to get some photos or just get the chance to was the ospreys. When are you thinking about heading down? Im busy this saturday and if the weather is good ive got a family day out to the Highland Wildlife Park planned for Sunday.

#19 20-08-2008, 06:35 PM

I think that Falconry Centres are a good thing in so far as they allow the public at large close interaction with Raptors, which they otherwise might never see .. they also demonstrate that these Birds are beautiful creatures & do not merit the kind of persecution we so often read about in the "Birding" Press .. that can only be a positive thing ...

The fact that the Birds are tethered is in reality for their own protection .. most being captive-bred Birds, which wouldn't survive in the wild .. I recall seeing an episode in the Johnny Kingdom series a while back .. where someone brought him an injured & emaciated young Buzzard (which he promptly named "Tommy" ) .. Johnny was fortunately able to nurse the Bird back to health & eventually to release it back into the wild .. (it had only being in captivity for a relatively short while) .. so its chances were good ..

I personally know two Falconers and if you speak to staff at the Centres .. you'll find them to be avid & passionate conservationists ...

Bye for now ..

Kev ..

Steven Gourlay · #20 20-08-2008, 07:24 PM

Cool Kevin i see your point, the one in Huntly was giving lots of information to the public about what it takes to keep the birds and i did not realise until i went there that you can buy birds of prey so easily. I just feel its a bit of shame to see these birds in cages etc but i see your point they will have been raised by hands since they were born.