Falconry Courses - 5 Days

The first day starts at our Tonbridge base with introductions, complimentary drinks and an outline of the day.

The morning session includes talks, discussions and demonstrations, covering the following aspects:

• Handling birds and safety.
• How to manage and care for birds of prey.
• Basic falconry equipment; learn about perches, jesses, swivels, leashes, gloves and bags.
• Discover how to transport birds of prey safely; Learn about tying and the Falconer's knot.
• Understand manning; Learn about how to build a bird's trust in you and get them used to being handled and close to people.
• The balance between weight and food; How to keep the bird fit and well nourished.
• How to train your bird to return to your gloved fist.

After lunch, we'll go on a 'Hawk Walk' in the Kent countryside. You have a chance to handle the birds and start developing some field handling skills.

By the end of the first day, you'll be energised by your new knowledge and falconry skills and looking forward to the second day!

Schedule

• 10.00am - Complimentary tea, introductory talk.
• 10.30am - Teach basic falconry skills - behind the flying
• 12.30pm - Lunch (Provided)
• 1.30pm - Move to flying grounds / basic falconry field craft
• 4.00pm - Close of play / questions

We start the second day with a recap of topics covered on the first day and a short presentation.

The morning session will turn basic falconry knowledge into practical skills. Using demonstrations, we will show you how to look after your birds, covering all aspects of food preparation and diet/weight control. You'll be taught how to spot if a bird is 'below par', so that dietary changes can be made. You'll also be shown how to house falcons, hawks and owls, so that they are happy and healthy.

After a complimentary lunch, we shall return to the field to learn brush up on existing skills and try out some more advanced falconry techniques. You will be handling the birds and developing confidence with them.

Back at the Tonbridge office, we have will have time for discussion and questions and finish at 4pm.

Schedule

• 10.00am - A recap on yesterday's knowledge
• 10.30am - Basic falconry equipment and practical knowledge
• 11.00pm - Bird Transport
• 12.30pm - Lunch
• 1.30pm - Move to flying grounds / basic falconry field craft
• 4.00pm - Close of play / questions

Schedule

• 10.00am - Recap on yesterday's knowledge
• 10.30am - Advanced training techniques to do with fitness and preparing your bird to hunt
• 11.00pm - Game hawking, explaining key factors to show suitability of birds against target species
• 12.30pm - Lunch
• 1.30pm - Hunting experience (dependent on day)
• 4.00pm - Close of play / questions

Schedule

• 10.00am - Recap on yesterday's knowledge
• 10.30am - Live Assessment - Training Techniques
• 11.00pm - Exam - Theory Questions
• 12.30pm - Lunch
• 1.30pm - Telemetry Hunt
• 2.30pm - Live Assessment with Bird Flying Free
• 4.00pm - Close of play / questions

Schedule

Working with falcons is a hugely satisfying and enjoyable job and day 5 you'll get the chance to be a professional falconer, out on the road, working side by side with Hawkforce and your new feathered friends on a real falconry job!

This is a unique experience, allowing you to fly our falcons around parks or buildings - testing and building on your new falconry skills. Our falcons are used to create "no-fly-zones", clearing the skies of pigeons or seagulls.

Our falcons are used to scare away nuisance birds, such as pigeons and seagulls from problem sites - such as public areas. They typically do not attack other birds, but they do assert their authority and are very affective in clearing areas of pigeons and gulls. You'll be flying falcons and hawks at a site somewhere in the Sussex, Kent and South East area - depending on where our falcons are needed on the day. Flying falcons on the last day of this course will be a truly unforgettable experience and one that you will treasure. Who knows, after this experience, you may even decide to become a professional falconer.