Falconry Displays

Falconry, or hawking, is defined as the taking of live quarry using trained birds of prey, and was first recorded in 1700 BC. Throughout the centuries since, the sport has continued to elicit a feeling of tradition, excitement, splendour and pageantry. Although today falconry is arguably as popular as it has ever been, it is still true to say that most members of the public know little about this ancient sport, and even fewer have had first-hand experience of what to some of us, is a way of life.

While we certainly do not wish to encourage everyone to take up the sport, we understand the fascination which raptors (birds of prey and owls) hold for many people. In today's "green" society, many people realise that raptors are a barometer for conservation, and would dearly love to be able to get up close to real, living eagles, falcons, owls, vultures and other raptors.

We also understand the fascination with the historical aspects of this ancient tradition, and are extremely keen to ensure that these traditions are maintained, and passed on the next generation. During our demonstrations, we use traditional methods and language, explaining their meaning and origins to our audience. These traditions include the falconry origins of many everyday phrases, such as "fed up", "boozer", "cadge" and many more.

In our displays, we simulate the sport of falconry, using live raptors in conjunction with inanimate dummies (lures), while still conveying the spirit, excitement and glory of this ancient sport, while still understanding and empathising with people's sensibilities. This enables guests to see the spectacle and get as close as humanly possible to a wide range of tame raptors, and also have the opportunity to have their questions answered by experts, while at the same time being able to handle and even fly the birds.

Through our display, guests can see the way in which the modern falconer trains birds, and assure themselves of the well-being of all concerned. At the same time, through experiential learning, guests have the opportunity to handle a wide range of well behaved raptors, under strictly controlled conditions, which will assure the health and safety of both birds and humans.

The words which best describe the feelings conveyed to all guests who have the experience of seeing and handling the birds, are excitement and joy. There can be no-one who has first-hand experience of raptors who will not forever remember the occasion with a great deal of satisfaction and happiness. We also believe that such experiences, which allow guests to get as close to nature as it is possible, allow guests to escape the humdrum and pressures of everyday life, and benefit from the restful and uplifting effects of such an encounter.

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The Service

In our regular displays throughout the UK, we feature ferrets, dogs, hawks, eagles, vultures, buzzards, falcons and owls. If a client wishes, we can put on displays featuring just one or any combination of these animals. Whatever service we supply, clients can rest assured that the displays - both static and active - will be presented in the most professional manner, and be entertaining, educational and strictly in step with the ethos of the organisation and the event.

A typical day may see a display featuring some of our owls, including the beautiful and highly endangered barn owl, and the largest species of owl on earth - the Eurasian eagle owl, with a wingspan of over 2 metres. The next display may include our ferrets, hawking dogs and hawks all working together. In another display, we may fly our eagle, vulture or one of our falcons, capable of flying at speeds of almost 150 mph. Whatever species we are flying, the methods used are all steeped in the rich tradition of the sport.

We give a thoroughly professional service, tailored to meet the demands of your organisation and its publics, reflecting the very best in entertainment, conservation, and education. Our service is designed to give your customers the very best experience, with lots of "hands-on", where appropriate.

In addition to the flying, we can also stage a static display of the birds, along with an educational interpretative display, using display boards and professionally produced material. Our static display is fully self-contained, with barriers, shelters, cages etc for all the animals which we bring. This display is manned, and staff are happy to chat to visitors and answer their questions.

At our "encounter events", we run a very "hands-on" display, allowing guests to handle birds and have them fly to and from guests, always under strict supervision. The display itself consists of flying the birds, while explaining how we train the birds, and some of the extremely interesting history of the sport of falconry. Throughout, we entertain guests by supplying relevant information in an interesting way, and at the level relevant for the guests.

You can rest assured that we will never do anything to put in danger guests or the birds themselves. All of the birds which we use are "bomb proof" having been bred and trained for the job. Guests will delight in seeing the small owls fly to them, marvel at the size of the eagle owls, and be astounded at the speed of the falcons (which can reach speeds of around 150 mph). All-in-all, we will give your guests an experience to remember.

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The Safeguards

All our birds are legally held and covered by all the appropriate licenses, e.g. Article 10, the Wildlife & Countryside Act etc. We hold full public liability insurance (£2.5M) and we are registered under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act, 1925.

All of the birds which we use are born to the job, being prepared and trained for their future role from five days of age. While the training of the birds uses traditional methods, these are tempered with the latest scientific research, and includes conditioning the birds to fully accept close proximity to humans, animals, machinery and just about every other item with which humans are associated. In this way, the birds come to accept as "normal" such things as tractors, flapping flags, noisy children and other such events, without being stressed in any way whatsoever. This leads to relaxed birds, and audiences who have no reason to doubt the well-being of the birds and animals used in our displays.

The actual training of the birds for flying displays, and consequent handling by inexperienced members of the public, also starts at a very early age, and continues throughout the life of the bird. All our birds are conditioned to accept being handled, and suffer no stress or distress from this.

While still adhering to traditional methods, the best and most modern thinking regarding husbandry are utilised to ensure best practice at all times. All of our birds are flown daily and, along with our other animals, are subjected to regular veterinary checks, and all relevant vaccinations, medication and prophylactics are given as and when required.

We will never do anything to put in danger guests or the birds themselves. All of the birds which we use are "bomb proof" having been bred and trained for the job.

We will always give a very personalised service, as we are small enough to care, while still being big enough to cope. Due to the fact that we have such a large and varied collection of raptors at our disposal, we can always ensure that we have sufficient suitable individuals for all of our commitments.

Safeguards for audiences include;

7 #2.5 million public liability insurance.
7 "tame" animals, i.e. those that are used to being handled.
7 awareness of, and empathy with, public sensibilities.
7 adherence to Health and Safety Executive guidelines and practices.
7 adherence to the Code of Conduct of the Council for Environmental Education.
7 adherence to the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
7 registration under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act.
7 registration with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
7 first aid equipment and knowledge (both for animals and humans).
7 staff hold British Red Cross qualifications.
7 animals accompanied at all times while on site.

Safeguards for the animals include;

7 animals' welfare given highest priority.
7 suitable transport caging.
7 temperature regulation throughout transport and event.
7 constant availability of food and water.
7 animals kept in appropriate sized cages and groups at all times.
7 animals given regular veterinary treatment and/or vaccinations, as necessary.
7 adherence to Transport of Animals Orders.

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The Man

The man behind the National Hawking School is our director, James McKay, a former C.E.O. of the UK's National Federation of Zoos, a zoologist and a professional lecturer. James is also a regular guest/presenter on TV, an author of over 20 animal-related books, and a scientific fellow of the Zoological Society.

James has been giving falconry demonstrations around the UK for almost 20 years, and has kept and flown raptors since 1965. All of James' staff are also competent and experienced falconers/animal handlers, and hold relevant qualifications.

Although always open to the latest research findings on the training and husbandry of raptors, James is particularly interested in the traditions of the ancient sport of falconry, and sees it as a duty to ensure that all of these traditions are passed on to the next generation. James is well known for his understanding and explanations of the origins of many everyday expressions which have their origins deeply rooted in the sport and traditions of falconry.

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Where Are We Based?

The National Hawking School is based at Honeybank Conservation & Study Centre, on the outskirts of Ashover, in the heart of the Derbyshire Peaks, a short distance from the famous Chatsworth Estate, home of the Duke & Duchess of Devonshire.

This location puts all parts of the UK within easy reach, while still allowing us to operate in beautiful countryside. The whole of Honeybank is operated on an environmentally-friendly basis, encouraging wildlife as well as giving our own animals (and guests) a superbly tranquil environment.

At the School, we keep our display birds, ferrets and dogs, as well as our breeding birds. One of the most important facilities at Honeybank is the incubation room, where we ensure that eggs laid by our birds are given optimum conditions in which to hatch. After hatching, the young birds are moved to our crèche, where they are given round-the-clock care and attention, being monitored constantly by CCTV.

By breeding our birds, we help to conserve species in the wild, and have thus developed our own self-sustaining breeding populations of several species. Breeding our own birds also ensures that we have fit, healthy and suitable stock for training. It is essential that the parents of such birds are selected carefully for temperament, flying ability and general suitability for the lifestyle which their offspring will encounter. It is also necessary for birds used for displays to be conditioned at a very early stage in their life, if they are to take the general lifestyle to which their career will lead.

We carefully select suitable birds to produce our display stock, and even hybridise some species to ensure that our clients see birds which can fly spectacularly, and yet have the impeccable manners essential in birds carrying out such a role.

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Share our Passion & Vision

We strive to help raptors, and those who share our passion for these magnificent creatures. Our passion for our subject is palpable, and will certainly infect your customers. By being associated with our "green" credentials, client companies will also be seen in a good light by their own customer base.

You can be assured that we will give you a thoroughly professional service, tailored to meet the demands of your organisation and its publics, reflecting the very best in conservation, education and entertainment.

Due to our deep passion, knowledge and understanding of falconry and our birds, we are able to offer specialised "themes" for events, such as medieval displays, "hands-on" encounters, and many others.

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Our Clients

Clients for our displays have included the following;

   The Rotary Club

   The Round Table

   Royal Norfolk Agricultural Society

   Lincolnshire Agricultural Society

   Staffordshire Wildlife Trust

   BT

   First National Bank

   Royal Agricultural Society of England

   Country Landowners' Association

   Three Counties Agricultural Society

   Great Yorkshire Agricultural Society

   Warner Brothers (we have owls in the Harry Potter movies)

We are, of course, happy to supply a more comprehensive list if required.

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What Our Clients Have Said About Us

"The most professional display team we have used"

"A stunning display"

"Breathtaking"

"The pleasure of the child when a real, live barn owl flew across the arena and landed on her gloved fist, is something that will remain with her - and myself - until our dying day."

"The spectacle is something that excited the audience, and will undoubtedly remain with them."

"We have never known such an all-encompassing display before - fantastic!"

"Everyone was entertained throughout the display, and I believe everyone must have learned something - I know I did!"

"It was wonderful to see such beautiful birds at such close quarters."

"The birds behaved impeccably, and were handled with care and respect."

"For the children to be able to see and handle such beautiful creatures was a joy to behold. The pictures they later produced in class show what a lasting and positive effect the experience has had on them."

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The Birds

Below is a list of some of the birds which we currently fly, but we add to and change the collection, year-on-year. We cannot, of course, guarantee the presence of any specific bird at any of our appearances, although we will do our best to accommodate any specific requests from clients.

LONGWINGS ("falcons")

7 Saker falcon (Falco cherrug)
7 Gyr falcon (Falco rusticolus)
7 Lugger falcon (Falco jugger)
7 Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
7 Lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus)
7 European kestrel (Falco tunniculus)
7 Peregrine x lanner hybrids
7 Peregrine x lugger hybrids
7 Peregrine x saker hybrids
7 Gyr x lugger hybrids
7 Gyr x barbary hybrids

BROADWINGS ("buzzards" and "hawks")

7 Harris' hawk - (Parabuteo unicinctus)
7 Red-tailed buzzard (Buteo jamaicensis)
7 European buzzard (Buteo buteo)
7 Ferruginous buzzard (Buteo regalis)

OWLS

7 Barn owl (Tyto alba)
7 Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo)
7 Bengal eagle owl (Bubo bengalensis)
7 Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)
7 Verreaux's giant eagle owl, or milky eagle owl (Bubo lacteus)
7 Great grey (or Lapland) owl (Strix nebulosa)
7 Tawny owl (Strix aluca)

VULTURES

7 Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)

EAGLES

7 Tawny eagle (Aquila rapax)
7 Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

We would normally bring 6 or 8 birds on a display, but this figure can be adjusted to suit specific requirements and/or circumstances. Because we have such a large and varied collection of raptors, we can always ensure that we have sufficient suitable individuals for all of our commitments.

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