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Falconry Day

Ref PFSFF

Duration 7½ hrs

Location Blackford, Perth and Kinross - Scotland

Reviews

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£149

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About
Key Info
Reviews
About

Get up close and personal with some of nature's magnificent and regal birds of prey. You'll learn all about the art of falconry and have a chance to try it for yourself. You'll spend a full day at the falconry centre, finding out all about the birds and getting plenty of time to experience falconry first-hand. You'll start with a tour, where you'll meet the eagles, harris hawks, falcons and owls and learn what makes a hawk a hawk, a falcon a falcon and an owl an owl. Then you'll get expert tuition in the art of falconry, with time to handle the birds so that you get comfortable with them and they can get comfortable with you. What happens next depends on the time of year: during the game season from September to February, you can take the birds out into the hills hunting for live quarry. Between March and August, you'll go for a 'hawk walk' with the birds, flying them but not hunting (you can always choose this option in the hunting season if you'd rather not hunt). Lunch is included.
- A day at a falconry centre meeting Britain's top predators
- Learn about the history of falconry and the different types of birds
- Get comfortable handling different species
- Fly birds of prey to glove - there's nothing else like it
Key Info

Availability

Seven days a week throughout the year. The venue is closed on Christmas Day. Dates fill up quickly, so book at least four weeks in advance, or even earlier for summer weekend dates.

Participant Guidelines

Minimum age is 14.

Weather

Please call the venue for a weather check before setting out. If your experience is cancelled because of bad weather it will be re-booked for an alternative date.

Duration

Your experience will last for around seven and a half hours.

Numbers On Day

There will be up to eight people taking part.

Spectators

This is a specialised experience and numbers are kept to a small group. Please liaise directly with the venue if you'd like to arrange a spectator booking (£62.50, payable on the day).

Dress Code

Dress for the outdoors and wear sturdy wellies or walking boots. Bring a change of clothes if the weather is very wet. If you have a camera or a pair of binoculars, bring them along.

Other Info

Please note that dogs are not permitted on site. Afternoon activities differ due to game season laws, and game hunting only takes place from September to the last day of February.
Reviews

Fantastic Day

Malcolm S, 30 Oct 2010

I would recomend anyone to give falconry a try. Being up close and working with the birds was amazing.

A Fantastic Day We Will Always Remember

Colin I, 21 Sep 2010

Well organised and administered by Red Letter Days and the Phoenix Falconry Centre. We were given clear directions to the Centre and received a friendly welcome. The day started with a demonstration of how falcons were trained and we were then given a chance to fly a selection of Falcons, Owls and Eagles. Safety was to the fore at all times. The experience of handling these birds and seeing their power and skills in action was awesome. In the afternoon we had a chance to hunt with 2 Harris Falcons, a Pointer and a ferret. We saw how adapted these birds were to working in their natural environment. at the end the birds were rewarded with a meal from their catch. Thank you to Red Letter Days and to the Phoenix Falconry Centre for making the day so enjoyable and we would certainly like to visit the Centre again and will certainly recommend the experience to our friends.

A Day To Remember!

E H, 11 Sep 2009

I really didn't know what to expect, but I needn't have worried - a warm welcome from reception staff put me at ease, then Tom the instructor arrived to outline the day ahead. It was all so interesting - learning about falconry, its long history, and getting to know the various birds of prey in the morning by handling and feeding them. After a delicious lunch, we spent a wonderful afternoon in the countryside with our own hawks. Tom was so knowledgable and helpful - a fantastic day all round. Would recommend this event to anyone interested in wildlife and the countryside. I'll certainly be back!

A Totally Memorable Experience

Hamish C, 25 Sep 2008

Punctual, well organised, efficient and totally fascinating. I learned a lot in one day and have a new found deep respect for birds of prey and their trainers.