Big Burdz...

...finally went th the Bird of Prey place up at Braco.
Supposed to go in October but gale force winds and heavy rain meant they had to cancel - Birds wernt daft enough to fly in 60mph winds.
So we got there two weeks ago in November.
Freezing cold, drizzling rain, occaisional flashes of bright sun and I got soaked but so what - we had a brilliant time.
Had to take the hood of the jacket, fur trimmed. The hawks would have went for it.
Learned how to tie the Falconer's knot, how to pick up a bird. Wee Harris Hawks, fantastic wee birds. Went for a walk in a field, watched the Hawk flying from the trees to the handler and got a go ourseleves. Then up to a different field and watched a peregrine falcon going through her paces. Pure magic so it was nad got a chance to have her land on our fists.
Then there was a Bengalese eagle owl. Lovely bird. Pity it landed in a dod of cow shit.
Then came the American Bald Eagle. 14lbs of flying/killing big bird and it was ace watching it fly but by Christ you felt it land when it came onto your fist.
Best study day I've ever been on.

We're going back in the summer.