The sun came out after a week of heavy showers, traditional Fowey regatta weather, and the St Austell Photographers’ group enjoyed 2hrs in the field getting wonderful shots of my birds relaxing and flying.
Here are some of the photographs taken on the day by Barry and Chris
Aren’t they amazing! They were a friendly group and I look forward to welcoming them again, maybe on a frosty winter day next time for contrast.
While I am sure the birds have enjoyed nearly a year of pretty much being allowed to kick back and relax, they seem equally interested in seeing people in their fields again. My concerns that they would become unsocialised have proven to be unfounded, thankfully, and I am glad to say that the private booked sessions are running again, safely in the open air.
The Spring weather has been glorious and it has been wonderful to greet visitors and share the field, and my birds too of course! Christmas gift vouchers have been cashed in and people have been pleased to be allowed to go somewhere new and do something different, as you can see by their beaming smiles 🙂 This week I have also hosted two visits by Tywardreath Playgroup. It really has been lovely to see the kiddies running around exploring, laughing, giggling and asking SO many questions! It was wise to suggest they split into two groups, and I love how the new seating circle worked. For those of you who have visited my field you may remember I had a yurt in that spot….time moves on, as does the yurt which is now in a field near Exeter, and the footings have been moved around to create this new space. The toddlers running around have flattened the rabbit diggings brilliantly!!!!
With a new owl joining the team we are looking forward to a more sociable year than 2020. Meanwhile, here is Willow my 3yr old Barn owl and Gracie the new team member, also 3 and a Northern White-Faced owl.
Whisper, my missing Barn Owl
… and here I am busy with my birds in June 2019. Since last year we have moved house, though still have my Owl fields in Fowey, built new aviaries, tragically lost my little brother and now look after our 3 nieces too.
So when people say ‘are you busy?’ – the answer is a definite ‘YES!’
Oh, and Whisper nipped out of her aviary about a month ago and headed down the beautiful Fowey River Valley, without so much as a thank you! After 4 years of tender, loving care too!
She was a very good weight and regularly caught any rodent that made the mistake of running into her home. I think she was ready for a mate; we are putting an owl box high up in a conifer just in case she is still around.
We only moved 4 miles up the Fowey River Valley to a beautifully secluded spot. Perfect for the birds and with the plan of hosting some private bird experiences there in the
Loki loves his new valley
future too.
My new aviaries looking good in the snow
It is more sheltered and has easier access than the field – although to free fly the hawks across the open fields is a wonderful experience when possible!
Our home is now a converted cow barn, and we have renovated the old piggeries into four very smart looking aviaries. They have turned out really well; we used the original slate for most of the roof and made the most of the large old slate walls and granite troughs that were still in place. Loki loves his en-suite.
Now, if only June would dry up… 🙂
Flying hawks can be a full time job, and I wouldn’t change it for anything. My 3 Harris hawks all have different characters. Loki is my prince, he is so loyal and mild mannered everyone who meets him falls in love a little bit.
Loki Feb 2018
He and I enjoy long walks across the fields; this afternoon he watched me bash tall patches of stinging nettles with a stick – how have they all grown so fast already? – Loki is watching out for any animal he can grab and flies between the branches following me, sometimes dashing past and clipping my shoulder with his wing tip as if to say ‘I’m still here, right with you’.
He rarely catches anything, but always gets a good dinner back in his aviary. Such a lucky, happy hawk, and lady!
The other 2 boys are quite different to work with. We haven’t known each other for as long as Loki and I as they both came to me just last Autumn.
Chiko Feb 2018
Chiko had a reputation for being noisy and moody, often a new owner can change this pattern of behaviour however he is persisting – I call him Father Jack most days 🙂 He is a quick flier and good to handle, just grumpy! He is in moult now so has an excuse, I am letting him be for a while and hope he is in a better mood soon!
Thor is the eldest hawk of the 3 being 5 years old. They can live to 18 years or so in captivity and at 5 yrs old Thor knows what to do to have an easy life and get food. They are very clever birds, enjoying a hunt and also knowing, or could I say understanding, the relationship we have and therefore allowing themselves to be tethered again.
Thor Jan 2018
That is the real thrill for me. Having that unspoken bond with a species so different to us.
My I have had the pleasure of sharing this amazing experience with many different people this winter, even in the snow!
And finally, and quite magnificently, I have my Redtailed hawk who is cousin to our buzzards – the first birds of prey I fell in love with. She came to me with the name Cleopatra, but I called her Isie after my mum, who was a North American bird too 🙂 Isie is the largest of all my hawks, and the most timid. She will only bath indoors, very demure, and gives everyone a beautiful display of her wings as they approach to show how big she is. She does fly for me when in the mood, and it is wonderful to see her in full flight.
Isie Jan 2018
Hope to see you soon!
Training and caring for my birds certainly keeps me busy, and I try to make sure the birds keep busy too. The past few months have seen the birds entertaining families while they get creative in the yurt; hosting summer feast nights; giving people the thrill of having a bird of prey fly to their glove for food and taking part in several bespoke photo shoots.
The feast nights brought lots of new people to the Owl Field in August. With the Keep Cornwall Fed chefs and Kim’s Kitchen cooking up some delicious meals we will definitely be planning more for 2018.
Photography sessions have also been a big part of our activity, and the cows like to join in too and surprised Maryna of Photography by Maryna! She got her bag back with only a little cow slobber on it!!
So if I ever wonder if I am doing the right thing – I look at my birds, reflect on how much we have achieved together, and know that I am doing exactly the right thing…then I put the kettle on!
As the days got colder I noticed visitors in my owl shed, ladybirds were gathering to hibernate – how cute I thought!!
Ladybird party
They even looked like they were having a party with a spider and woodlouse, or chuggypig as my brother calls them.
I was thrilled – until a friend who has an allotment in the next field pointed out that they are Harlequin Ladybirds, Harmonia axyridis, and are a danger to our native ladybird and should be destroyed 😦  I have seen ladybird farm kits for sale and previously thought it was silly to keep pollinating insects captive, but now I see this as the perfect solution to these alien invaders and I am sure my nieces will enjoy looking after them.
My other aliens are, of course, my birds. Â Not Whisper the barn owl as she is native to the UK – she actually came to me from Somerset. Â However my other birds, while born and bred in the UK for many many generations do originate from other countries. Â Peanut the burrowing owl is native to America – found in many states and doing very well over there, almost a pest to some people when they dig up their gardens.
BB King the Eurasian Eagle owl came to me from a back garden near Plymouth. Â The species used to be native here until about 400 years ago, and many are still found in the wild across Europe. Â Victor the Spotted Eagle owl actually originates from Africa – although he also came to me from Somerset where he was bred. Â In Africa these owls are a favourite pet with children due to their quiet and calm nature – Victor all over!
Chaya the Harris hawk also came to me from near the Tamar in Liskeard; but her species originates from South America where they are often seen perching on high cacti as lookout perches while hunting for wild jackrabbits. Â I think in this cold weather Chaya would certainly prefer the desert heat – and I may join her!
Chaya a cold harris hawk
Roll on Spring!
We have had some beautiful days this winter, bright sunshine while the frost on the ground crunches underfoot. Â Today the skies are grey and it is wet and windy, which means that I am inside and have time to write this blog – a good thing… though I would rather be outside in the fields.
Hawk at home
Chaya and I have enjoyed some stunning days together, and she is getting used to me taking my phone out of my pocket to photograph her – now she doesn’t think it is her food!
January shadows
Chaya looks so stunning against the bright blue winter sky, I am in awe when she is flying free. Â She is such a free spirit and will soar overhead, suddenly swooping into a far field after something she has seen – I rarely see what she is after. Â I wait a couple of minutes and then whistle [I can whistle very loud] and she comes soaring back, often so close I feel her wing brush against my shoulder.
We have had some visitors in the field recently, and Whisper was on her best behaviour for a special birthday 2 hour Owl Experience just before Christmas [available to book anytime, check out my Shop page and give me a shout!]
Whisper flies so beautifully, and so silently, she leaves me speechless.
Whisper loves the twilight, and her plumage looks even more stunning in the low winter sun – especially late afternoon when the sun is setting.
And Peanut, well, he had to come in and join me for a coffee the other day, just for the company of course! Â He loves sitting in the sun shining through the kitchen window while I rub his ear.
Then he roused – ruffled his feathers…I took this photo on my phone – love that you can see Peanut’s point of rotation!! Crazy dude, we love you Peanut!!
Peanut Whirl
See you in Feb!!
Wow the days are short in winter aren’t they!  Some days it seems to barely get light before the sun goes down again, and with so many outdoor jobs to be done I am often in a rush to get home to feed Whisper, Peanut and Victor before it gets pitch black again.  The starry skies are amazing up here at Castledore, because we have very little light pollution right here, but when it’s dark it is really is…..dark 🙂
Of course the owls don’t mind if it is light or dark when they get fed – they can see far better than I can anytime anyway!
It is very special to be able to be with the owls when it is so dark, especially Whisper my Barn owl. Â She really is in her element.
I need to get a night vision camera – don’t like to use the flash …
She still loves the camera and likes to look at every detail as you can see.  This time she was in her aviary on her rope swing; though she really enjoys flying on the lawn at dusk  – and enjoys all the sights and sounds of the nearby woods too, barn owls are notorious for their inquisitiveness 🙂
Peanut my burrowing owl tends to shout a lot at night. Â Very short sharp chirrups, usually three at a time. Â He has definitely caught bank voles in his aviary before and I wonder if that is when he makes his call. Â I wonder what Victor my spotted owl thinks of his noisy neighbour!
Night night owls 🙂
Wow – what a beautiful month October turned out to be! Â When I first decided to set the dates for two Family Craft Afternoons In the Company of Owls in October half term I must admit to having my fingers crossed behind my back for good weather – and it worked!!
Tuesday Oct 25th got so much interest from local families that I had to say it was full 10 days before the event – with 35 people booked in [adults, children and toddlers] it was certainly going to be a busy afternoon.
The children’s activity was to make owl masks and pine cone owls – and I think the adults enjoyed the crafts as much as the kids did!
Of course there was tea, coffee and cake for all – oh and hot chocolate too.  These yummy treats went down well, especially with the opportunity to toast marshmallows by the carefully attended fire 🙂
Sunday 30th was busy too, with a smaller but just as fun group of families – and the sun shone making it feel like a summer’s afternoon rather than the end of October.
The owls enjoyed meeting everyone, with Whisper and Peanut coming out so everyone could get really close up and personal with them!
Peanut was the star of the show flying in front of everyone, showing off what he can do – although he seemed to be a bit full on the Sunday …I think he is catching bank voles in his aviary again 🙂
Where is Peanut?
I am looking forward to starting regular Saturday morning Family Craft sessions very soon – just need to get the yurt built as I am sure the weather will turn more seasonal now it is November.
Meanwhile the owls are busy with private 1:1 bookings in their field, and will also be going out in the community, meeting people and making them smile. Â Next community date is November 19th in St Austell town centre with CHICKS charity.
See you there!
How time flies in the summer – especially with my owls, a hawk and a site to complete before my first ever field event on August 13th – that’s less than 2 weeks!!!
The birds are all moulting like crazy – it seems like I have more of their feathers than they do 🙂
Peanut lost his last tail feathers last week and looked like a kid with gappy teeth! Â He has been busy helping me with my summer sessions at Trenython Hotel and Fowey Hall as well and it seems it is all very tiring for a little owl…
Peanut still loves his cuddles, especially when we tickle him behind his ears – at least I think that is where they are!
Chaya, my Harris hawk, has been soaking up the sun at every opportunity.
She is also moulting like crazy so I am giving her a rest and feeding her up – she has been a very happy, if a little fat, hawk and today I saw her new tail feathers appearing – much nicer than the one I found in her aviary the other day…she had definitely worn that one out!
Time to go and cut the grass…again…..and I can see the sun 🙂
Bird Lady of Fowey 