It's been busy

It's been 2 weeks since my last post. I do try and make time to do this every week but it is just not possible at the moment. The days are long - somewhere between 10 - 11hours and when I get in it is difficult to find time to do the blog. Eating tends to be a bigger priority, walking dogs and then sleep. It is then a case of getting up and doing it all over again.

The last 2 weeks have been busy wit a steady flow of bookings. In my last post I mentioned that we were out doing 3 demonstrations at weddings in 3 days, 2 of which were off site. All the bookings went well. Glenbarvie House went well and was a lovely venue. The venue for the display in St Andrews - St Salvators Quad was very impressive. As a location for a demonstration I was a little bit worried because I worried about what sort of problems the local sea gull problem would cause but they weren't that bad and we got the demonstration done. We did have 1 scare though Alba (Barn Owl) caught a light breeze that carried her over a wall and she disappeared. I had to go and look for her. I found her quickly as she was wearing a transmitter. She was sitting in someones garden just across the road. I won't fly my birds at a demonstration unless they are wearing a transmitter. In my opinion it is just good management and practice. I decided that Alba had done enough after that. Corrie (European Eagle Owl) was next up to fly and was brilliant even with the local seagull population shouting at him. A big thank you to Amanda for helping me with these 2 events.

St Salvators Quad

Brel (Harris Hawk) at Salvators Quad

 After we got these bookings out the way it was time to get ready for the next big booking on the Sunday. Millerstain House. It was a good day with the weather. It was meant to rain and I thought it would be a long day standing in the rain but the sun shone and it was all good from that point of view. Brel had another wobble with his form not sure what his problem was as he had been very good. He went up into a tree and was slow to come back but did in the end. It happened in the first demonstration but he was perfect in the second demonstration of the day. Uist (Lugger Falcon) though did screw up though. He was flying well and looking good when he went a grabbed his tail and basically couldn't turn so he went off and sat in a tree. I had to go and look for him but he hadn't gone far and came straight back to me when I caught up with him

The new car at Millerstain House

After all these booking that were a bit different it was back to the norm with bookings in the centre and over at Cameron House. Last weekend we did 13 bookings in 4 days. Friday was a marathon with 4 bookings, 3 of which were over a Cameron House. That was all easy, the marathon started as we left Cameron House. The A82 was closed due to a serious accident where someone had died. We had to take a detour. A 30 min journey to get back to the centre became a 4 hour marathon. The other highlight of the last weekend was Oran (Harris Hawk) who caught his second rabbit. We were doing a hawk walk at Cameron House and Oran who had been flying great but just at the end he slowed up and wouldn't follow on. I called for him and no sign. I thinking maybe he had moved when I hadn't been watching but I was sure he hadn't as I hadn't heard his bell. Next thing I see him dropping out of a tree straight down in to the undergrowth and there is a squeal. I knew straight away he had caught a rabbit. Sure enough he had. Not planned but it's second rabbit. I need to say a big thank you to Gordon who helped me all last week on his EMS placement from Glasgow University Vet School.

Oran (Harris Hawk) with his 2nd rabbit

This week so far has been a bit quieter which has been nice. A slightly calmer pace. Today I spent the whole day in the centre something I haven't done in a week. This has been all great as it allows me to get ready for this weekend. This weekend is the Hopeton House International Horse Trials where we are doing 2 displays on Saturday and Sunday. I have been looking forward to this booking for a while. Hopeton House is a stunning venue. Hopefully the weather is ok. I don't want  it to be too warm as this can cause problems for the birds and I certainly don't want rain. What I am looking for is a dry day which is mild with a gentle breeze to help the birds fly.

It will be a long weekend starting each day at 5am and finishing at about 8pm. That's ok though. I love doing these big events and what a venue. Finger crossed that it all goes well. Hopefully the birds all fly well. I will let you know hopefully next week.

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