Hopeton House and Canal Festival

After a quiet start to the week once we got the food run out of the way and we even managed to get a day off on Tuesday (that's my day off for the month) and on Wednesday we had no bookings. This allowed me to go out to a farm where i like to fly the falcons and  fly Bob and Uist. Both looked good especially Uist.

After the quiet start it was back to normal. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday we were out doing events with very early starts on Saturday and Sunday. All good fun. Brel a male Harris Hawk was once again a star. He did 6 events in 4 days and never put a wing wrong and never let me down. The big event was on Saturday where we were doing a big corporate event on the back lawn of Hopeton House near Edinburgh. Brel did a great flight from the roof of Hopeton House to the middle of the main arena to a member of the publics' glove. It was windy and Alba the Barn Owl was struggling a bit and got blown away at one point but we got her back quickly and she was able to carry on. Uist the Lugger Falcon was a bit of a disappointment even though it was good conditions for him.

Most of the other events were at Cameron House with the birds all flying well there. Jo was at the Canal Festival in Kirkintilloch on Sunday with 4 birds doing a static. Jo and the birds got a lot of positive feed back. Alot of the interest was in Luca, Jo's Northern Hawk Owl. A lot of people seemed very impressed that we don't allow touching of the birds as we don't want to stress them out and that we are always thinking about the birds' welfare rather than making  a few quid. I don't run Strathblane Falconry with the sole object of making as much money as possible (don't tell my accountant i said that). I run Strathblane Falconry so i can get to work with birds of prey on a daily basis. I am not very comfortable with the whole take a stand somewhere and charge for photos with birds being stroked  and constantly getting passed about from person to person with a donation box out front. Birds are for flying not standing somewhere and charging for photos. Others may disagree with this but i am doing what i feel is best for my birds.

Today we had out annual inspection from the council vet. I always look forward to these as i am always confident that the systems we have in place at Strathblane Falconry for the up keep of the birds meet if not exceed the standards set out in the Zoo Licensing Act of 1981. Saying that the centre looked at it's best today in the sun. The vet was very happy with things and will be saying that in his report to the council.

We had the inspection in between a half day session in the morning and a family fun session in the afternoon so a busy day in the centre.

Lobey, the Turkmanian Eagle Owl appeared in the Hello magazine in the readers wedding section.