The Five-day Falconry Course
The five day falconry course is run for those who are seriously interested in taking up Falconry, or wanting to own and fly a bird of their own. Unlike the one day Falconry Experience Day, it is intense and should give the partaker enough information to start with a bird of their own
The courses are run from February to December. There are usually four people on the course being taught by experienced Centre staff at all times. The staff are extremely experienced at teaching and the collection of birds here, second to none. The course is not residential; however accommodation locally is not expensive. Lunch can be bought at the Centre cafe, or with a trip to the local pub
The lower age limit for coming on a course is 16 years. However if younger people wish to take part they can do so, but only if a parent also comes on the course as a paying participant. This is because we consider that younger children should not keep birds of prey or owls without parents being able to assist in the care and training. It is also illegal to sell a bird of prey to a minor
Topics covered in the Five Day Falconry Course
Introduction to the centre and the course
Birds used in Falconry - beginners, advanced, unusual species
Morphology and biology of birds of prey
Basic First Aid and Veterinary Care
Falconer's knot, gloves and bags
General handing techniques
Training procedures
Hunting with the different groups of birds of prey
Flying weights
Practical - flying birds to fist and creance work
General Management of birds
Lure swinging
Equipment
One or two afternoons out hawking
Imping and coping
Housing
Diet
Telemetry
Flying free to fist
Lure Swinging practice
Flying a falcon to the lure
Clubs
Obtaining your own bird
Questions and further information
There is much in the way of practical handling everyday throughout the course and, weather permitting - one or two half days out hawking. We can also offer assessment for the Lantra Award; Falconry during your week. For more details, please click here
If you have any other queries, please feel free to contact us. To book a course a deposit of £100 is required, this is refundable only if the course is cancelled six weeks prior to the start date. We have to do this otherwise it is impossible to refill the cancelled place and the course becomes non viable financially if run for too few people. The course dates are booked up about five months ahead, so to get dates, just give us a ring and we can give you the dates over the phone. The total cost of the course is £500 for the full five days, per person.
Once you phone and book a place and the deposit has been received, you will be booked in. You will receive communication prior to the course and be asked to pay the remainder of the price a couple of weeks before the start date. You will be given advice on what to bring at this point
Please note: We apologise, but we cannot afford to run the courses for less than three people. In the rare event that there are not enough people to make the course viable, we will ask you to choose another date.
