| One Devon bird meets another... | |
|  | | Don't look now, Pippa! That's Bodicea, the only Golden Eagle in the South West |
| | BBC Radio Devon presenter Pippa Quelch has been learning falconry skills from a man who knows all there is to know about big birds, George Hedges. |
| | | When I was given the chance to get up close and personal with some rather majestic birds, I jumped at the chance, writes Pippa Quelch.
Off I went to the falconry centre at Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh, where I was met by falconer George Hedges.
Together with his wife Elaine, they've been keeping and breeding birds of prey for more than a decade. But they never thought their business would take off (pardon the pun) quite as much as it has.
"I've been doing this now for 14 years", explained George. "We-started with a barn owl, and we were warned it wouldn't stop at that.
 | | A bird in the hand...George and Elaine with Harris Hawks Bandit and Geiger |
"Forty birds later and we haven't stopped. It's mine and my wife's passion - we know all their little quirks."
This is the only place in England which has Greater Spotted Eagles, and the only site in the South West which boasts a Golden Eagle.
With all that experience as a falconer behind him, I knew I was in good hands as I received "hands-on" training in the ancient art of falconry.
One of the things George does is "experience days." And if you're up to it, you can even take the birds for a "walk."
George said: "On experience days we chat about the birds, go into the safety of the birds, pick them up and weigh them.
"With more experienced people, they can have them on their hands. It does take a bit of time to learn falconry. We are now doing hunting trips with the eagles.
"The birds are magnificent to watch."
 | | Bodicea in a flap |
I was fortunate enough to take one of the Harris Hawks, Geiger, for a "walk." Geiger - so named because of the sounds she makes - took off into the nearby woods, but came back pretty sharpish as soon as I showed her the food in my hand.
The food goes straight down - there's no messing about!
These birds have huge talons, so you need to wear the right protective gloves. But the birds are absolutely beautiful and it was a great experience.
One of the reasons the falconry centre has days like these is to deter people from owning their own birds of prey, which can often lead to disaster.
Article published: 1st April 2005
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