Mid October

A quiet week last week with 1 booking each day on Monday to Thursday. On Friday we had no bookings. I had to do business stuff and enter the real world on Friday - I had to see the accountant. At least the birds got a day off. Saturday and Sunday we had 3 bookings each day. 2 of the bookings were away at Cameron House on Sunday so that meant for a bit of a hectic day with loading the car and driving. Once again I can't thank Jo enough for dealing with the centre and generally being there dealing with all the little things while I am rushing about doing bookings. It was a busy week by the end even though it didn't look like that when I posted my last entry to the blog at the beginning of the week.

The only down side last week was Pele. He has been a star over the last few weeks but he had a bit of bad luck last week. I had him out hunting on Tuesday 5th October and we had only been out for about 30 mins. Things were looking ok when we flushed a rabbit and he went for it. he looked like he just missed it and he flew up in to a tree. He then was very slow to follow on which is not like him. I went to call him in and when he came in I noticed he had broke a talon. It wasn't bad but it had exposed some of the talon quick and was bleeding steadily. He wasn't happy. It would of been quite sore and tender. A bit like tearing a nail to far down. By the time I got him back to the centre it had stopped bleeding. Jo looked at it later in the day and thought it best that he got some anti-biotics to make sure there was no infection so it was off to the vet. There doesn't seem to be any sign of infection so it looks ok. The talon will grow back and he is still flying.

The strangest thing I saw  in the last week  was 3 House Martins on Saturday 10th October. I thought they had all flown south as I haven't seen any for 2 weeks but here were 3. Saying that I haven't seen them in the last 2 days so they have probably headed south by now. I hope so for their sake. 

I have started flying Bob the Gyr x Saker again. He does well some days and I think ok he is improving only for a day or 2 later he seems to take a step back. The end of this week is not as busy as it has been so I will try and fly him away from the centre and see how he goes. This is the problem of getting birds that are second hand. I always say "No body sells a good bird". If you have a good bird you want to keep it.

The birds don't have baths as they were only out for 45 mins before we started flying and they all had to be put back in their travel boxes for safety

Pele in action at Mar Hall

I didn't put any pictures of our visit to Mar Hall in the blog last week so I have put some in this week.

This week is not too busy. 3 bookings tomorrow - Tuesday 12th October . Wednesday is spent taking people out hunting all day and Thursday will be spent doing talks on falconry to some boys in a secure unit. A bit of a contradiction. Wednesday the great outdoors and freedom. Thursday locked up. An interesting week in someways.

I have done several talks at the secure unit over the years and I always come away realising how lucky I have been. It is always a bit of an experience. Then again that is what I love about doing this for a living.Each day can bring a new challenge or opportunity or experience.