Latest News
Rescue & Rehabilitation - Long Eared Owl
15th July 2011
The most recent wild Bird of Prey Falconry Days is working to rehabilitate is a Long Eared Owl. This species is quite rare and very secretive. It is often in competition with the slightly larger and much more common Tawny Owl for both habitat and food.
This Owl was handed in by a local farmer, Edward Parker. We suspect the Owl had landed badly on a barbed wire fence and consequently broke its wing in two places.
Falconry Days are now working closely with Orchard House Vets in Hexham and Falcon Vets in Carlisle to repair the wing with surgery and external pins. Falconry Days will then be responsible for the long term care of the Owl whilst it recovers. The Owl could be with us for up to a year, because it may need to moult in the Spring of 2012 to have a full set of flight feathers before we can release it, giving the Owl the best possible chance. This includes medication, monitoring, feeding and housing.
This is a difficult, time consuming and costly process but we feel that it is worth it. To be able to release the Owl back into the wild will be a great reward to all involved.
This highlights the need we have for kind donations from the public. All money donated goes directly into caring for injured birds of prey. This includes veterinary care, medication, food and the time and effort required to rehabilitate an injured bird. We thank everyone very much who has donated in the past.
Engagment Ring Delivery!
8th July 2011
Falconry Days often do Wedding Ring Delivery, but this was our first Engagement Ring Delivery! Angus, our fully trained Harris Hawk had the engagement ring attached to his leg and our Head Falconer Derek awaited the couple arriving at the famous tree along Hadrians Wall, Sycamore Gap. It was a complete surprise for the finace to be, and Michael had a glove and food for Angus already hidden in his rucksack. When they arrived, he stopped to put the glove on, and Angus flew from Derek next to Robin Hood's tree down to his gloved fist, with the ring. It was a shame it was so windy as Angus should have been hidden up in the tree, but this just wasn't possible. Everything went well, Angus delivered the Ring and Alex said Yes! They completed the day with a Hawk Walk near Sycamore Gap and a Half Day Experience at Ladyhill Farm. To see some photographs from this day, visit the Gallery!
Falconry Days Bird Of Prey Centre Matfen Hall
28th June 2011
Falconry Days are open to the public at Matfen Hall!
Our new Bird of Prey centre is open .
We will be open from 10.30am, for you to meet all the birds, although show time does not start until 1pm. Falconry Days is not the kind of centre where you just wander around looking at birds in avairies. We offer you an up close and hands on, interactive Falconry Display.
Show time is three hours of non- stop action; ranging from the very cute, to the very fast, high flying, stooping Falcons. We will make you laugh, we will educate you, but most of all, we will thrill and amaze you.
You can make a full day of your trip to Falconry Days Matfen Hall with a visit to Go Ape in the morning and lunch at the Keepers Lodge.
We hope to see you at Falconry Days Matfen Hall soon!
Opening Times
10.30am - 4pm
Show time - 1pm onwards
April - October
School Holidays - Open Daily
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays during quieter periods
Open all Bank Holdays
Please ring or check our website for up to date information
Admission
Adult - £6.50
Child - £3.50
Family - £18.00
OAP - £5.50
Student - £5.50
Find us at Matfen Hall, next to Go Ape Tree Top Adventures and Matfen Hall Driving Range.
Facilities; Free car parking, toilets, picnic area
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