Bird of Prey Falconry Day

Bird of Prey Falconry Day
Bird of Prey Falconry Day
Bird of Prey Falconry Day
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Choice Voucher

Buy this voucher for a choice of venues

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XBPFA
6 - 7 hrs
* * * * *

£125
  • About

    Get up close and personal with some of nature's magnificent and regal birds of prey and learn about the art of falconry. You'll spend a full day at the centre, finding out all about the birds and getting time to experience falconry first-hand. You'll start with a tour of the centre, where you'll get up close to different species and learn what makes a hawk a hawk, a falcon a falcon and an owl an owl. Get expert tuition in the art of falconry and take time to handle the birds so that you get comfortable with one another. Then try out falconry and fly some of the birds over open countryside, watching them show off their skills and getting some thrills medieval-style when a top predator comes into land on your glove. 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 within a group of 4 - 10 others (min age 14 - 16)
    • Fly birds of prey to the glove and walk over open country - there's nothing else like it
  • Key Info

    Availability

    Selected dates throughout the year. Dates fill up quickly, so book several weeks in advance and allow even longer for popular summer weekend dates.

    Participant Guidelines

    Minimum age varies from 14 to 16 (depending on venue). You need to be reasonably fit as the day involves a fair amount of walking, at some venues over uneven ground.

    Weather

    The weather may affect this experience. 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

    As a guide your experience will last for six to seven hours.

    Numbers On Day

    The experience will be held in groups of between four and ten people. Any displays held are always public so you will be sharing with larger numbers.

    Spectators

    Not all venues can accommodate spectators, and those who do may charge a fee to visit or spectate. Please check when booking.

    Dress Code

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

    Other Info

    Dogs are not permitted at any falconry venues. The types of bird you will meet varies from venue to venue.

  • Reviews

    Exhilarating Being That Close To Natures Predators

    * * * * *
    Rick E, 20 Nov 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    Overall a fantastic day. Started a little slowly - intro could have been more structured and Q&A session better controlled however compensated by Deans enthusiasm and obvious passion for the birds. More pictures of birds round the classroom to illustrate the different varieties would have been useful to real falconry novices (me!)

    Fascinating Experience!

    * * * * *
    Colette R, 06 Nov 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    A great day out. Our teacher for the day was very knowledgeable and friendly. Having hawks and owls fly to your gloved fist was an amazing experience; the birds were well-trained and very patient with us beginners, and because there was only 6 of us, we all got plenty of time with the birds.

    Memory For Ever

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    Adele S, 05 Nov 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    I was uneasy about attending on my own, but from the moment i arrived to the time I left I was always welcomed. The group that I was with were so friendly, (no one knew anyone before the day), I wasn't on my own at all. The falconer was very knowledgeable and answered any questions you had. A Great Experience one to cherish forever. Thanks to all staff involved.

    Informative As Well As A Great Day Out

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    David R, 05 Nov 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    To have a number of hawks, owls and falcons sitting and flying so close was unforgetable. As good, was the walk through the grounds with the hawk following, in the trees. Great weather, great teacher and falconer and best of all, great birds.

    At One With Nature!

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    Stephen B, 24 Oct 2011
    Hawking Day

    For a day, I was the esquire of a Knight, I was learning about hawks, kestrels, eagles and many other birds of prey. Then there, on the North Downs of Kent, I went with the instructor and four other enthusiastic learners to cast hawks and to use a variety of skills to bring them back to glove. There were three birds between us and we were all relieved at this because each one weighs over a bag of sugar: our left arms ached from carrying them across the fields in the glorious October sunshine. Above all, it was the link with past history and the bond that I felt with my favourite hawk, Manuel! The centre was easy to find, the staff friendly and the variety of other animals was appreciated by everyone. When you're stuck for an idea for a Christmas of birthday present... well, I'd certainly go again! In fact, my dear wife, I've got a birthday coming up!

    Great Day Out

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    Barrie F, 09 Oct 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    The day was excellent. tthe people there gave us a great day. Lovely meal, even one of the birds decided to fly away it was all good fun looking for it and eventually finding it, may these sort of days continue. I am seriously thinking of getting a bird of my own so i can get involved with the sport. Thanks for such a great day and please pass this on to the people at the centre, yours Barrie

    An Amazing And Memorable Day Out

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    George H, 02 Sep 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    The day was more than I had expected. The amount of information given about the individual birds, their habitat and style of hunting, was excellant, clear and understandable. The Falconer was very friendly and a pleasure to spend the day with. The birds were obviously well looked after and you could see that they enjoyed being with him. All in all an amazing and memorable day out.

    Fantastic Day Out At Eagle Heights

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    Beth L, 26 Aug 2011
    Hawking Day

    As a Birthday gift I had a Bird of Prey Experience Day at Eagle Heights in Kent and it was fantastic. Very educational where I was able to directly handle a variety of birds of prey. The staff are friendly, partners are welcome and lunch was included for all. Unfortunately due to the poor weather conditions we were unable to complete the day, however we were allowed to tour the rest of the facility which houses an array of animals such as reptiles, huskie dogs and cheetahs. It was simple enough to rebook and I look forward to returning soon to fly the birds.

    A Fantastic Day With Lots Of Variety

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    Paul J, 23 Aug 2011

    Ben Long Falconry gave us an unforgettable experience. We saw lots of hawks and falcons close up, we got to handle and fly them, we saw first-hand all the different ways they're trained and used, and we learned about how to look after them as well as the history. Our falconer / austringer was brilliant - his expertise was remarkable, as was his love and respect for the birds. We didn't realise how much we had learned and seen until we got home and looked at the photos! A huge thanks to Ben Long Falconry, and to Red Letter Days for our falconry experience.

    Wow What A Day!!!!

    * * * * *
    Val S, 14 Aug 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    Best day ever...never thought I would get this close to such a beautiful collection of birds. Staff at the center are so passionate about their work its a pleasure to spend time with them. The whole experience was worth every penny and then some. 5 STAR DAY OUT...

    Amazing Experience

    * * * * *
    Chris B, 25 Jul 2011

    This is not something I'd have done for myself, but it opened my eyes to a whole different world. The experience of holding and flying these magnificent birds was quite incredible - you feel a connection between man & bird, possibly akin to swimming with dolphins!

    Better Then Any Zoo

    * * * * *
    Norman J, 05 Jul 2011

    Had a day with Ben Long falcon centre in Gloucester. For me someone who loves to watch birds flying and feeding it was a truely excellent day out. Learning so much from Ben who is so happy to share in the love of his birds. Watching the Hawks Flacons fly at close hand is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Thank you Red Letter team, Ben Long, and my wife for giving me such a fantastic present.

    Fantastic Day

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    Susan W, 11 Jun 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    I did a half day experience a few years ago (through red letter) and loved it - this was a full day and at a differenct centre. The whole set up at Coniston was brilliant from the location to staff, birds, programme - even the weather!

    Fantastic Day

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    Maureen W, 11 Jun 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    I really enjoyed the day, the falconer was extremely informative and passionate about his job. Fortunately good weather prevailed which made the day more enjoyable on the moors with the birds. I would definitely recommend this day.

    Excellent And Informative Day

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    R. Andrew B, 08 Jun 2011

    This was really very good and, to be honest, much better than I was expecting (having been to various falconry shows). Ben Long spent all day with just me alone and so it was very instructive. I carried various birds for literally hours in total.

    Memorable Day

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    Gillian B, 04 Jun 2011
    Hawking Day

    Has the best day ever, weather perfect and really got up close with a Vulture called Gonzo and an Eagle Owl called Fat Larry! Spent the morning in the lecture room which was so much fun then had lunch which was very nice. After lunch we went out into the fields with the Harris Hawks and spent the afternoon flying and walking. It was amazing to see that as we were walking along these Hawks were flying along behind us, almost like a dog following its owner! The only way you knew they were there was hearing the bells on their legs jingle, you would never have heard them fly by you otherwise! We did actually loose on of the 3 hawks in the woods, but she did come out eventually with a lot of coaxing with some chick legs. Definitely not a thing to do if you are a bit on the squeamish side! After a leisurely walk back settled the birds and had tea and cake. Memorable Day!

    An Honour And A Privilege

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    Melanie H, 04 Jun 2011
    Hawking Day

    I am absolutely hooked on Falconry! What a fantastic surprise I got as to just how much I enjoyed the day. I felt honoured to be so close and involved with these majestic birds. The whole day from start to finish was just so enjoyable with thrills thrown in! Arriving at 10am and leaving at 5pm and still smiling about the whole thing at 10pm! So taken by the sport, the birds, the people, I am now looking into enrolling on a five-day falconry course at the venue where I had my Bird of Prey Day. What more can I say, I am well and truly hooked and writing about it now has put a huge smile back on my face!

    Fantastic Day

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    Marion Y R, 04 Jun 2011
    Hawking Day

    I had a great day, very memorable.

    Amazing Day I Will Remember Forever

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    Daniel J, 17 May 2011

    I spent my day at the Ben Long Falconary School in Hardwicke, Gloucestershire. It was truly a day that I will never forget. I was fortunate enough to be the only person participating so I was able to be very hands on. I was able to handle and fly many of the birds there and the knowledge the staff had was extremely intersting. The fact that I spent the whole day there and the amount of things I learnt and participated in, really made the day excellent value for money. I would recommend this day to anyone, even if you to not carry an interst in the subject, I'm sure by the end of the day you will.

    An Unbelievable Day

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    Nicholas O, 07 May 2011
    Bird of Prey Day

    A very informative and enjoyable day from the coffee and bacon sandwich at the start to flying the Harris Hawk in the afternoon. I was very fortunate to be the only person in the group to do the whole day so didn't have to "share" the flying in the afternoon. The falconers were very friendly and knowledgable. Looking forward to booking a hunting day later in the year.

Locations


This Choice Voucher allows you to take part at any of the following locations

  • Hawking Day - Eynsford, Kent
  • Bird of Prey Day - Gloucester, Gloucestershire
  • Bird of Prey Day - Knutsford, Cheshire
  • Bird of Prey Day - Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway
  • Bird of Prey Day - Skipton, North Yorkshire
  • Bird of Prey Day - Stonham Aspal, Suffolk

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