The Huntly Falconry and Dufftown
Saturday, 7th September
We left Elgin on a very grey and misty morning, but arrived at Huntly Falconry Centre to a glorious hot and sunny day.
We were treated to a truly wonderful demonstration of birds of prey in flight. The first bird we met was Tweed, the Harris Hawk. We learned that these hawks can live between 20 and 25 years in captivity, and are trained to work for food from their handlers. In the wild Harris hawks will fly in a family group, but at the Falconry they fly individually. The bird was keeping his beak open, and we were told that this was his way of dealing with the heat.
A male peregrine falcon then continued the display. These birds can fly at 40-45mph, and have to eat quickly in the wild to avoid the risk of becoming prey themselves. There are approximately 14000 pairs in the UK.
The 25 year old African Eagle Owl, Spot, completed the flying display. Eagle Owls have good long distance vision, but close up they compensate with detecting sound and movement. Their eyes are fixed, but their heads can rotate between 240 and 270 degrees.
As an extra, after the flying display, we were also introduced to a large Bald Headed Eagle.
We all thoroughly enjoyed the displays and presentations – and some club members were brave enough to hold the birds.
After some refreshment we headed to Dufftown where we enjoyed a short walk towards to motlach Church, before heading back along the side of the Dullan in very welcome shade. We then enjoyed a lovely meal at The Whisky Capital Inn before heading home to the same misty weather we had left in the morning.
Huntly Falconry Centre presents daily flying displays from April – October at 11am, 12.45pm and 2.30pm. More information at huntlyfalconry.com. Tel: 07717 705994
The Whisky Capital Inn is situated in the centre of Dufftown, just off the Square.
whiskycapitalinn.co.uk. Tel: 01340 820313
Linda McCulloch