Happy World Falconry Day!

Today is a day of celebrating falconry and the part it has played in our heritage. Falconry in its most traditional form is the act of hunting with a trained bird of prey, something that has been part of human life for thousands of years originally as a way of providing food. Due to the passion and dedication required to successfully train birds of prey, it is often though of as a way of life.

But modern day falconry is now not simply about hunting. This deep connection, passion and understanding of birds of prey held by falconers that has remained a constant throughout human history has led falconry to become an integral part of bird of prey conservation. The keeping of birds of prey in captivity has brought species back from the brink of extinction throughout the world, and continues to do so through education, conservation and rehabilitation.

Bird of prey centres and falconry displays are vital in the education of these animals and their conservation in the wild, not only by raising awareness but also raising funds to support ongoing conservation projects and research into species decline. Many centres are also part of captive breeding programmes for species that are under threat in the wild. And of course falconers with the knowledge and experience they have in the handling, training and husbandry of birds of prey are vital in the successful rehabilitation and release of injured, orphaned or sick wild raptors.

Some British examples of conservation success stories linked heavily with falconry includes the recovery of peregrine falcons after their population crash during the 1960s, the more recent comeback of the previously globally threatened red kite, and the current efforts to increase our hen harrier population which so far is looking positive. Not to mention all the ongoing projects such as research into the decline of Eurasian kestrels, the surveillance and monitoring schemes of barn owls and ospreys etc.
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So falconry is definitely worth celebrating! Here are some photos of British birds of prey that I have been very lucky to work with.