Photograph recently taken at Thoresby Country Fair. Isuzu have recently sponsored us with a shiny new Isuzu Denver Max to transport the birds to and fro shows.
A friend who runs a Camera Club recently took these lovely pictures of Molly our Barn Owl. See Claire's website for more super pictures, some of our birds, and a wide selection of other studies. www.carterart.co.uk
I recently met this delightful young man at the Middlewood Way Fun day. Steve Hartley's son holding Molly the Barn Owl- thanks for sending the photo to us Steve.
Lisa with Molly the Barn Owl and Flower the Falcon taken at a recent visit to an Open Farm day where I was demonstrating birds of prey.
Meet the "New Boy" . This is Morph the Little Owl - picture was taken of him at 9 weeks old and is quite a charachter to say the least! We named him Morph after Tony Hart's plastercine character who kept changing shape - this little chap does a lot of that - one minute he is tall, the next he is crouched down, squashing under things and occasionally lying on his side etc. etc.! He particularly enjoys playing with the keys on the computer when he is in the house - many times he deletes a newly written email!
Some of the lovely people with their comments following their falconry experience day with us
Clare out for a walk with Frogget the Indian Eagle Owl. Clare's husband bought her a one to one falconry experience as Clare had, for many years, had a passion for birds of prey. As Clare does not live too far away she has been coming over regularly to have lessons to learn how to keep and care for a Harris Hawk which she is hoping to have in a couple of years time, much to the horror of her husband!
Email from Zena who recently joined her brother and sister-in-law who were bought an experience day with me as a 50th wedding anniversary present " Thank you for the most wonderful day superb birds and wonderful conversation the time went far too fast and cant wait to do it again".
Have today (27th September) received a great email from Jude and Gary - Jude had purchased a One to One Experience as a birthday present for Gary - " Just a quick email to say a big thank you for a great day out. We really enjoyed ourselves, the whole experience far surpassed our expectations.... Both of us would not hesitate to recommend the one to one falconry day to any of our friends"
Thanks to Lee and Louise for their recent email following on from Lee's experience day which was a present from Louise for his 40th birthday - "Lou and I are still in awe of our day with you and the birds; what a fantastic location and how lucky we were with the weather. Your knowledge and enthusiasm to share your passion was overwhelming. Chris you made us feel completely at ease and so very welcome"
Lee holding Flower, Gyr x Saker andChris and Lee out for a stroll with Frogget our Indian Eagle Owl
Sandra who recently came on one of my experience days sent us a lovely email and we think she (and Andrew who was observing) enjoyed the day! "What a fantastic day - thank you both so much for the wonderful day we spent with you last Thursday. I will never forget it and really hope I can do it again sometime in the future."
Alan with Bungle the Indian Eagle Owl
Alan sent us some lovely photos of his day with us and a lovely card -"thank you both for making the day so enjoyable. This was a real experience. I spent the next 24 hours talking about it with Stella - they really got to me. I can only express it as a Real privilege". Thanks Alan - it was great meeting you and we will look forward to seeing you again when you bring Stella with you on another occasion to meet all the birds.
We recently had a delightful card from Richard and Emma - thank you both for your kind words "We would like to thank you so much for such a warm welcome and a truly amazing day. We both had no idea what to expect and both came away buzzing from our experience - neither of us had realised we would be so involved and absolutely loved our time with the birds. The day was very informative with Chris's vast amount of knowledge giving us plenty to think about"
Pete with Rocky the Harris Hawkand helping to put the equipment on Tommy the Peregrine - dont think Tommy is too sure of your glasses though Pete!
Pete's wife Debbie is the Editor of a community news booklet and she wrote a wonderful piece on her husband's day with the birds and at the end of this she wrote"I can thoroughly recommend this as a special day out, as it is the only way, perhaps that you may see, such beautiful birds, at such close quarters ". Thank you Debbie - it was a genuinely delightful acticle - you certainly have quite a memory for all the falconry terminology!!
Paul with Benson the European Eagle Owl
Thanks for your email Paul and Anne Marie "We wanted to send you a quick e-mail to thank you for making a memorable birthday for Paul last week. We are still talking about it! It was well worth the early start and long journey to get to you.Getting to meet and learn about all of the birds, and a see a few wild ones too was a great experience. The afternoon out with Rocky and Maggie was particularly memorable."
Helen with Flower the Gyr Saker and Rocky the Harris Hawk . Thanks for your email Helen - "I just wanted to say a huge thank-you for the most incredible day last week (Thursday 19th)". Thanks for that Helen and great to meet your Mother and Father too - your Mum is quite a good camera person too!!
Denielle enjoyed her day with us recently "Thank you again for a great day. It really made my birthday special and an experience I'll never forget". Danielle below with Maggie the Harris Hawk (oldest member of the family at 26 yrs!)
Lesley and Reece sent us a lovely thank you card which Lesley made from one of the pictures she took of Rocky the Harris Hawk. "Hi Chris - Firstly I'd like to say thank you again for my brilliant falconry experience day; it was a real pivelege to be so close to such magnificent birds and to speak to someone as knowledgeable and passionate as yourself......"
Lesley flying Molly the Barn Owl and Chris telling Lesley about Maggie the Harris
John admiring Flower the Gyr x Saker Falcon
Recently brothers Stuart and Roger and their father, James, had a good day with us and we thank Roger for his kind letter "the day spent in your company was perfect from start to finish, including an excellent lunch, and we spent the evening and following day recounting our experiences of the time spent with you"
Thanks Ken and Chantal for your great comments in your recent email - they are really appreciated and we have taken an extract " We just thought we would like to say thank you for what was one of the most, if not the most, interesting, exciting and fulfilling day of our lives. The memories of the day will stay with us indefinitely and we are very grateful to you. It made Ken's birthday one which he will remember forever".
Carol and Mark have just forwarded a lovely letter and some photos - see below. "Thank you for the most wonderful day on Sunday. Mark and I thought it was the best day we have had. the hospitality was warm and it felt very prsonal to us ....."
Andy who was on an experience day "Vanessa and I would like to thank you so much for making my 50th birthday so special, I'll carry the memories of that day forever. It was such a relaxed informative and exciting day, your birds are amazing. Thanks for making us feel so at home at your beautiful place, when we left it felt like we were saying goodbye to good friends". What kind words, thank you both.
Had a lovely thank you card from Louise in Harborne "thank you both so much for making my father's day with you so memorable. He had a fantastic day and says it is the best birthday present he has ever had. You went to a great deal of trouble to ensure that the day was interesting and informative".
Testimonial from the now Mrs. Lena Gore:
It is so special to see such an amazing collection of birds at your own wedding. They added a really memorable touch to a special day. The photos said it all – both adults and children were thrilled to be handling such beautiful birds. A huge thanks to Chris and his team’
Mrs. Charles Duncombe on her wedding day with Molly our Barn Owl at Bolsover Castle
You are never too old to experience handling and flying a bird of prey as Gwen who is 90 years young can prove! Here she is holding Frogget the Indian Eagle Owl and Maggie the Harris Hawk
Thanks Alistair for the lovely card and photos "Many thanks for the great day I spent with you and your birds. I have enclosed a disc of the best photos for you to see"
Alistair with Ellie, the Redtail and some of my falcons
Below are the Living Heritage 2012 Country Shows which I will be attending to both demonstrate birds of prey and run the Falconry Village once again
| The Thoresby Country & Craft Fair Mar 17 to Mar 18, 2012 Thoresby Park, Near Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, NG22 9EH |
| The Easter Thame Country Fair Apr 08 to Apr 09, 2012 Thame Showground, Kingsey Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3JL |
| The Kedleston Hall Country & Craft Fair Apr 21 to Apr 22, 2012 Kedleston Hall, Nr Quarndon, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 5JH |
| The May Bank Holiday Burghley Game & Country Fair May 06 to May 07, 2012 Burghley, Burghley House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 3JY |
| Woburn Country & Craft Fair May 19 to May 20, 2012 Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Bedfordshire, MK17 9WA |
| The Queens Jubilee Hampshire Country Fair Jun 03 to Jun 05, 2012 Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 9ZD |
| Cheshire Game & Country Fair Aug 25 to Aug 27, 2012 Cheshire Showground, Cheshire County Showground, Tabley, Nr Knutsford, WA16 0HJ |
| Sandringham Game & Country Fair Sep 08 to Sep 09, 2012 Sandringham, Sandringham Park, Sandringham, Norfolk, PE35 6EN |
| The Wiltshire Game & Country Fair Sep 22 to Sep 23, 2012 Bowood House, Nr Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9PQ |
| The Hertfordshire Country Fair Oct 06 to Oct 07, 2012 Hertfordshire Showground, Dunstable Road, Redbourn, Hertfordshire, AL3 7PT |
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