LIFESTYLE

You might think falconry was something last practised in the Middle Ages but it’s very much alive and kicking. Simon Fry gloves up and gives it a try.

Interacting with our feathered friends is terrific fun, as anyone who’s ever fed a duck will testify. When I visit his South Gloucestershire home, however, falconer Tony Bryant ups the ante somewhat by introducing me to a barn owl called Fred, Harris hawk called Wilf and peregrine tiercel called Tagel (short for Tintagel). I’m given a glove and watch as Tony places Fred on his perch, turns around and walks a few paces before offering some meat on his gloved left hand. Tethered Fred flies the few metres to collect his reward. He’s returned to his perch, then it’s my turn. Tony gives me a one-day chick’s leg to hold in the crack between my thumb and palm. All bone, toes and feathers, it looks the least appetising of morsels.

The signal is given, the bell around Fred’s ankle tinkles and for a few seconds he’s in graceful flight, his handsome wing feathers and chest plumage, muscular legs and outstretched talons a stunning sight as his eyes pierce the sinewy scrap proffered. I feel a gentle but firm clasp as he lands on my leathery gauntlet to down his prize in one.

After a few repeats Fred is returned to his quarters, then Tony and I get some food for Wilf and Tagel. Some beef is cut into chunks and some whole chicks collected, the quail remaining in the cool box. “You can’t be squeamish in this job!” says Tony.

Charlie, a German wire-haired pointer, is fetched from the warmth indoors, then we take Wilf for his weigh-in, as if he’s a boxer before a fight. He’s half an ounce down on his usual weight, meaning he’s hungry, meaning he’ll return to my wrist when there’s meat on offer, the cold weather making sustenance all the more attractive. “Keen but not starving” is the desired balance.

Out in the field Wilf is released and flies to a barn roof about 20 metres away like a dog let off a lead. Tony fishes a sugar cube-sized chunk of meat from his bag, places it into my grasp, then whistles to Wilf. Tony had previously told me Wilf’s eyesight is eleven times better than a human’s, something borne out by his expert, effortless and instant arrival on my wrist.

I’m beginning to bond at a basic level with these magnificent creatures, picking up on the man/bird dynamic fostered over centuries. If you’ve a day to spare, you can use them to catch a rabbit for your dinner that night, with Tony skinning and gutting it if you’re unable to go the whole Fearnley-Whittingstall hog.

After our stroll, it’s Tagel’s turn to do his astonishing stuff. I stand still as Tony swirls some beef on a lure through the air and Tagel flies at breathtaking, breakneck velocity in large loops in a bid to catch his food. My heart starts thumping as he buzzes within centimetres of me. The planet’s fastest creatures, when swooping, peregrine falcons have reached 242mph, and although he’s not going that fast, I’m utterly humbled by his awesome display of speed. Accompanied children aged three have witnessed this show; it’s not surprising they end up grinning from ear to ear.

His fill well and truly earned, Tony gives him a chick to demolish. He tears it apart as nonchalantly as you or I peel a yielding satsuma, sucking up the entrails like spaghetti.

The live action over, we retire to the house where I make a mediocre attempt at tying a falconer’s knot one-handed. Tony judges my endeavours kindly before telling of the time he flew Wilf along a dining table at a wedding (his services and birds are available for hire for talks, weddings and parties).

Mine has been an experience rather than a training session. Various options and gift vouchers are available, and if you’re serious, Tony can teach you over five days how to keep your own bird.

RAPTORCARE TEL: 01454 294258, WEB: WWW.RAPTORCARE.CO.UK TONY WILL BE ATTENDING TEWKESBURY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL ON 9-10 JULY AND THE BERKELEY SKIRMISH 30-31 JULY.
 

Copyright Simon Fry 2011

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