Kestrels, Hawks & Owls with CJ Birds of Prey

A friend & I took a short jaunt southwest, to Westmill Farm near Ware, Hertfordshire for a bird of prey experience. A four hour session with a professional falconer giving us the opportunity to not only see beautiful winged creatures such as a Kestrel, a Harris Hawk, a Siberian Eagle Owl and an Asian Brown Wood Owl at close quarters but also to fly some of them short distances.
These types of things are dependent on weather conditions. Rain fell as we approached Stevenage so we prepared ourselves for a reduced programme and on our arrival we were indeed informed that the day would be spent not in the fields as we expected, but in a recently constructed shelter in the farm complex. This, although a little disappointing was better than not getting to handle these amazing creatures at all. We'd managed to get the experience at a reduced cost anyway so I think we still got good value for money. I would be interested to return in more favourable weather.

Firstly, we were told some facts about birds. Specifically, how a difference in a bird's weight as small as a couple of ounces either side of optimum can determine whether a bird will fly or not. Basically explained, it's a waste of energy for the bird to fly if it's already full of food. A bird will hunt if it needs to. If it doesn't, it won't. especially if its raining!

Bird #1: a male Kestrel called Tio (flown on a tether due to his inexperience in enclosed spaces) 
Bird #2: a male Harris Hawk named Bud.
Bird #3: a Siberian Eagle Owl (not flown)
Bird #4: an Asian Brown Wood Owl called Sakie (not flown but very vocal)

#cjsbirdsofprey #birds #wildlife #falconry #owl #harris #hawk #eagle #siberian #brown #wood #kestrel #kez #pauljacksonphotography #photographer #canon #60d #photos #photographs #new #blog #fourwheelfools #hertfordshire #ware #flight #wings #talons #beaks