Falconry Display

Posted: 19/05/2017

Due to extremely poor weather conditions, the annual falconry display to Lower Fourth pupils in Head of Year on Wednesday, 17th May was relocated to the arena which made for an excellent new location.

The Falconry Centre in Hagley visited with a range of different birds of prey, each with their own personality and Andy their falconer explained about the physical adaptations of the birds and their native habitats, habits and their diet in the wild.

This year, pupils were treated to a Northern Hawk Owl, an Ashy-Faced Barn Owl, a Spectacle Owl, a kestrel, a Harris Hawk and an American Bald Eagle. It was a special day for Etna the Ashy-Faced Barn Owl as it was the first time that Andy had attempted to let her fly over people. She showed no fear and completed it first time; she flew low over the whole group of Lower Fourth in order to get a treat.

The Lower Fourth were an excellent audience, they learned a great deal about the behaviour and habitats of the different birds and they made sure they were very low to the ground when they flew over. We look forward to the birds of prey visiting again next year.