The Birds and Me.

I don’t really like birds all that much – crows, blackbirds, seagulls etc. No thanks. Little garden birds like robins, blue tits, wrens, finches are fine. Might have something to do with Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. Scared the c**p out of me years ago.

BUT I have been fascinated by birds of prey ever since I was a wee girl. My dad, who would have loved a son, got lumbered with me instead so just did all the father/son stuff with me anyway. He made me my first fishing rod, taught me to shoot and gave me an abiding love of nature. I hasten to add here, that although I was a pretty good shot (at targets ) I couldn’t bring myself to shoot the bunnies , wood pigeon, duck , pheasant etc that he did.  The fishing and shooting trips  were not just for fun – everything we caught/shot was brought home, prepared,cooked, eaten and enjoyed.

Sometimes we would pack up a picnic, load up the fishing tackle and head off on his wee motorbike (we didn’t have a car then) with my mum’s words ringing in our ears – “Be careful Sammy. Make sure she doesn’t fall in!” Sometimes we were away all day, walking along riverbanks, through woods, across fields and often we caught nothing, or nothing big enough to bring home for tea. But we might have a bag of blackberries, wild strawberries or hazelnuts instead.  It was during these times that he taught me sooo much about trees, plants, animals,birds AND life. Bear in mind this was in the late 50’s/ early60’s ( oops really dating myself aren’t I?) We would often see kingfishers, otters, rabbits, hares , squirrels – all sort of things.But what really got me excited were owls , buzzards and any other birds of prey we saw hunting.

I can’t really explain why I have been drawn to them and not to other birds. There is just something utterly compelling about them. So imagine how I felt when Stephen told me he had arranged a Falconry experience day as a wedding anniversary present!! I was counting the hours til we could go, and yesterday was the day!

We went to the Northern Ireland School of  Falconry, run by a wonderful chap called John Carmichael. He has such a wealth of knowledge and an obvious love of his birds which he imparts in a very easy, interesting way. We were shown all the birds, given loads of info on each one and had all our questions answered. Stephen was there as a spectator/photographer but apart from actually flying the birds he did everything I did.

Then came the moment I had been waiting for. I put on the falconer’s glove, took a little piece of meat and waited for my first bird – a European Barn Owl -to fly to my hand and take the meat from me. I really cannot put into words what it felt like – to watch it fly towards me , swooping, adjusting its flight to the gusting wind, and then to land gently on the glove and take the meat. Just incredible !!! The owl had been hand reared and so was used to being handled. It sat there quite calmly and allowed me to stroke it. So so soft. I flew it a few more times and then flew another barn owl – again hand reared , calm and seemed to enjoy being stroked.

Then to something totally different – an African Vulture. When you see vultures on tv they usually have their heads  in a dead animal and are covered in blood and guts. You tend to think, ugghh. But actually up close they aren’t at all repulsive.  Maybe not the prettiest bird in the world, but quite comical and very clever. I was a little apprehensive, especially when I saw it flying towards me, coming closer and closer, looking for all the world like a pterodactyl. But I needn’t have worried. It glided down ever so gently, landed on the glove, took the meat and just sat there watching me. I flew it a few more times and thought that was the end of the day. But no, the best was yet to come.

John’s son had been working with a young Harris Hawk and I was going to be allowed to fly it as well. The other birds had been flown in the field but we took the hawk off down the lane. Well, we walked and it flew alongside us -soaring, swooping , landing in trees, on electricity lines, fence posts.  It always knew where we were even though at times we couldn’t see it. But we only had to whistle and it would appear, circle round, and fly to my hand to get its reward. The most thrilling experience of the day. Such a beautiful bird.

We strolled back with the hawk flying beside us to be met by John with the offer of coffee and a chat. We found out lots more about him and the birds. He said that I could have experienced some of the other birds as well, but that  they had been fed and couldn’t be flown.  I was more than happy with my day but he offered me the chance to come again in a few weeks time  if I wanted. IF I WANTED!!!! Just try stopping me.

What I’ve written doesn’t really begin to describe the experience.  If you are even a tiny bit interested find a good falconry centre near you and just do it. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. If you have already done it you will know exactly how it felt.

So that’s another tick on the “bucket list,” what’s next?

We made a wee video. Click to get a taste of my special day.