events

2021 and Business is Flying!!

birds, events, Experience, Falconry, Harris Hawk, Hawk, nature, Owls, Owls, photography

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.

Busy Birds

art, birds, cute, events, fairies, Falconry, Harris Hawk, Hawk, Hoots, nature, Owls, Owls, photography

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.

Peanut making new friends
Isie posing
Victor hosting feast nights
BB King welcoming this family

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.

Victor joining in the feast night
Whisper enjoying the feast night
BB King hosting the feast night

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!!

Photography by Maryna Wild Fairy
Photography by Maryna Viking theme

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!

Owls, October Sunshine and Family Fun

art, birds, cute, events, Hoots, nature, Owls, photography, Shed

pine cone owls fun.JPG

Wow – what a beautiful month October turned out to be!  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 🙂

Owl shed, shop and cafe
Fire warden doing a grand job
More tea anyone?!

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 🙂

spot-peanut-flying

Where is Peanut?

watching-peanut-fly

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.  Next community date is November 19th in St Austell town centre with CHICKS charity.

See you there!

 

 

 

Owls in Big Houses

architecture, events, Owls, photography

Well that was a beautifully busy summer!

Since last October my owls have visited Fowey Hall Hotel and Trenython Manor Hotel once a week throughout the school holidays and I was feeling very lucky when both hotels booked me for the entire 6 week summer break this year!

My business was taking off, and with my first event planned for August too I knew there was going to be lots to do for the next few months.   So at the end of June I began a weekly routine of Monday mornings taking an owl to Trenython Manor Hotel and Thursday afternoons visiting  Fowey Hall Hotel .

Whisper at Trenython Manor
Barn Owl Conservation

Whisper started the season off well, she really is growing up and living up to her name – quietly looking beautiful and demure while the families flock around her, mesmerised by her presence.

She also enjoyed the terrace view – tho it was wet that day so we didn’t go out.

whisper-at-trenython-manor-may-2016-2

Barn Owl conservation is the main theme of these sessions, and everyone is astounded to learn that these beautiful owls are found on every continent in the world!

Peanut the burrowing owl and Victor the spotted eagle owl also met the visitors at this old manor house, and on sunny days we could be found on the balcony overlooking the sea and Par beach – not a bad way to start my Mondays this summer at all 🙂

In fact Peanut got so used to the terrace that he took the opportunity for 40 winks!

peanut-sleeping-at-work-trenython-manor-july-2016

The architecture in both of these wonderful old houses is striking, and quite a fitting backdrop for my birds 🙂   Fowey Hall Hotel also had a short visit from Chaya my Harris hawk, here looking like she owned the birdbath!

chaya-at-fowey-hall-hotel-june-2016

With Peanut, Whisper and Victor taking their turns to wow the families and introduce the younger children to the world of owls we really were quite busy all summer long.

So yes, a very busy summer and my first event to do too – But we did it!

Now for my autumn plans…….

In the Company of Owls, Event No.1

events, nature, Owls, photography

Wow, we held our first evening opening to the public last Saturday and it worked really well!

Pnut and me low res

Of course Peanut the burrowing owl stole the show, as he flew cool as an experienced professional in front of the crowd.

The sun shone and there was a wonderfully relaxed mood in the field that afternoon as everyone enjoyed being in the company of the birds.  With tickets nearly a sellout I think I can call my first event a great success.

There was really amazing food cooked on site by Matt of

https://www.facebook.com/Wildfoodkitchencornwall/?ref=page_internal

Nettle falafels, pulled venison burgers and seared pigeon breast – perfect food for the event and I saw lots of people tucking in to it!

We were prepared for all visitors and the Gator proved useful in towing the food van in to place a few days before, moving all the heavy stuff including the new timber for the benches so the site was ready on the day; and finally giving my mum a lift up the field so she could join in the occasion too!

I had been so nervous, excited and apprehensive in the week leading up to the day.  With a long list of things still to do and a big question mark over the weather I was landscaping the ground, clearing brambles, making signs….so many signs…..and keeping the birds clean and ready to meet visitors.  We even had official t-shirts to wear: and one of my next jobs is to order some more as so many people wanted to buy them on the day – check out my shop page for these soon!

Of course I couldn’t have done it all without the massive help from my husband, daughter, son and good friends and they all were brilliant on the day too.

friends in the Owl field

My lovely niece Zinzi  was our ‘official photographer’ for the event and she has taken some wonderful shots – more coming as soon as she gets a chance to sort through them all. Check her work out at Westcountry Wildling here is an amazing shot of BB to leave you with – hope to see you at my next event in a few month’s time!

BB in flight low res