Huge thank you to Mark Rankin today. I’ll explain. Birds see light and colours much more vividly than humans into the UVA and UVB ranges produced by natural unfiltered light. For example. We look at a hawk in daylight and we may see a bird of two shades of brown. A hawk however will see reflected blues, reds, purples etcetera. This colour data gives the hawks an idea of the condition and thus bree…ding suitability of a potential mate. If the hawk is in good shape, breeding is much more likely. Also, photo period – the amount of natural daylight time induces breeding condition and behaviour and the annual moult. You can now obtain specialist bulbs that create light with the natural amount of UVA and UVB. Install these via a time switch and you maximize your chance of breeding birds and you speed up a clean quick moult. While I do most jobs required myself, I am not qualified or confident with electrics. Mark is and he installed half of the lights today over the breeding chambers, with the other half planned for next week.
The light quality is fantastic. We’re delighted, so a big big thank you to Mark. Top bloke
The light quality is fantastic. We’re delighted, so a big big thank you to Mark. Top bloke
If anyone is wondering what they might give to family or friends as a surprise gift I can strongly recommend a half day experience with Elite Falconry. I was there on the 29th February and am still buzzing. What a day. I was so looking forward to it and was definately not disappointed. I loved spending time with the owls in the barn, just watching them watching me gave me goose bumps. We then went out in the discovery, which was an experience, in fact I think that may have been the main reason my husband came with me. We got out and I was kitted with my glove, given to me earlier and we were off. I had the oportunity initially to fly and feed two different birds., an owl and hawk I cant put into words how this felt, amazing. All the while I was being given so much information about the birds, their habits, feeding, how sharp they had to be, features, mating and team working rituals etc. I hope I can remember what I was told. Your knowledge is unbelievable. Our walk through the woods was not long enough for me, I could have stayed there all day, however after a few hours we went for something to heat us up as it was very windy and cold. I hadnt realsied this until we stopped. I returned after lunch and had the luck to hold one of the eagles. I had looked forward to this so much, however despite my best efforts I could not hold the bird for long as it was sooooo heavy. I dont kow how you can hold them for so long when you walk the glens. We went out again and this time flew a smaller eagle with the most enormous wing span. Forgive us we cannot remember which it was. Its flight wa so gracefull and felt like a feather taking off and landing. It tried very hard to go with thermals but the wind was very strong which made it difficult. To end the day we could not believe our luck, when on the way back to the barn a small eared owl more or less followed us. We have several fabulous photos which I will post on face book and perhaps also on this blog if my husbans shows me how.
I will be back I promise. I enjoyed myself so much I have rabitted on to friends until they must be tired listening to me. I also promise to hold my hand properly as I have been practicing and will try not to stroke the birds as I like having all my fingers.
Thank you for a wonderful day
Pat Blacklaws
Thank you so much Pat, we’re delighted you had a good day. Nothing is better for morale than messages like this.
Elite Falconry