The Experience
This experience allows you get as close to these magnificent birds as possible, from hawks, eagles and owls you will get hands on experience at handling birds of prey. Your morning will be taken up with bird handling and training, learning to pick up birds, do the falconers knot, fly birds to the fist, handling hawks, eagles, kites and birds that are available at the chosen time of year. You will break for lunch (included) and you will have some free time for you to take a walk around the Centre and see the other birds. The afternoon session consists of learning how to fly a falcon. The trained Bird Staff will teach you how to swing a lure. After a couple of practices they will bring a falcon into the field for you. This is where you get to experience the thrill and excitement of flying a falcon. The aim is to try and keep the falcon away from the lure, when it is flying at speeds of up to 100mph, which is always challenging even for the very experienced bird handlers. After a few passes you will get to call the falcon in and watch him catch the lure. The day concludes with the course members being able to feed birds on the fist and hawk flying.

Vital information
Minimum age is 14.

The weather
The weather may affect this experience. Please call the centre for a weather check before setting out. If your experience is cancelled due to the weather it will be re-booked for an alternative date.

Session length
Your experience will last for approximately three hours.

Numbers
The experience will be held in groups of between four and eight people.

Spectators
Not all of the centres can accommodate spectators, those who do may charge a small fee. Please contact us for details.

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

Availability
Selected days throughout the year, subject to availability. Please note that weekends are particularly busy and should be booked at least four weeks in advance.

Locations
This experience is available in Leicestershire, Kent and Gloucestershire.

Other information
Dogs are NOT permitted at falconry centres. The types of bird you will meet varies from centre to centre.