The Hawking season runs from Oct-Feb.

Your day starts at 9:45 when you will meet the Falconer for the morning. Over coffee you will be able to discuss the experience and meet the other members in your group. This will be followed by a short tour of our Centre giving you the chance to see many different species of birds and will include a walk through our own Owl Wood and also to visit the free flying barn owls in their aviary.

Thereafter the morning will be spent handling various types of Owls. This will include some indigenous species, ie the Little Owl, Barn Owl, Long Eared Owl, Short Eared Owl, Tawny Owl and the Snowy Owl, together with Owls from around the World. You will have the opportunity to fly the birds yourself under careful supervision.

There will be ample opportunity for you to take photos, so please remember to bring your camera. Our Falconers will be more than happy to assist you in any way they can. We do recommend comfortable clothing and suitable footwear.

As these sessions are very much behind the scenes, groups are limited and any spectator wishing to be with you on your experience will be charged at half the total cost and are limited to one person.

The day starts at 9:30 for coffee. Guests are introducted to the Falconers wiho will give instructions to you regarding the safety procedures required for handling the birds and it is important that these guidelines are followed correctly. All guests will learn some of the skills necessary for successful hunting and quarry includes rabbit, pheasant and other game. You will then be introduced to your Hawk before leaving the Centre in one of our four wheel drive vehicles. At all times you will be under the supervision of a Falconer. You will experience the thrill of the chase when hunting quarry using a team of Harris Hawks which work well together with both each other and man. At the end of the morning we will return for lunch before taking in a second hunting session during the afternoon. Throughout the day you will see these truly impressive birds flying free in natural surroundings working in unison with the Falconer.

Lunch is not included in your day but there is a restaurant at the Airplane Collection which serves hot and cold lunches. Alternatively you can bring a packed lunch, coffee and tea are provided.

All the specialised equipment you will need is provided. However, we do recommend country-style clothing and stout footwear. Accommodation is available and details can be given upon request.

Falconry is the art of taking wild quarry with a trained bird. Birds of prey hold a special fascination for many people who often feel they would like to be close to the birds without necessarily having the responsibility for ownership or long term care.

Your day starts at 9:45am when you will meet your Falconer for the day.m Over coffee you will be able to discuss the day and meet the other members in your group. This will be followed by a short tour of our Centre to see the many different species of birds in our Collection. This will give you the chance to not only ask questions but to also tell us if you have any personal favourites. It is the ideal opportunity to acquire knowledge about the birds without formality. Thereafter the morning will be spent handling various types of Owls. This will include some of our indigenous species, ie the Little Owl, Barn Owl, Long Eared Owl, Short Eared Owl, Tawny Owl and the Snowy Owl, together with Owls from around the World. You will have the opportunity to fly the birds yourself under careful supervision.

1-2pm Although lunch is not included in your day we do have a lovely picnic area beside the lake if you would like to bring a packed lunch. Alternatively there is a restaurant at the Airplane Collection which serves hot and cold lunches. However, please be aware when booking that on their special flying days the restaurant is not open to Bird of Prey visitors.

Following lunch there will be an opportunity to take one of our Hawks out for a short hawk walk across the parkland by the lake. You will then fly an Eagle, meet the Pelicans, feed the Vultures, watch a free flying display and feed the Ravens. There will be ample opportunity for you to take photos with any birds of your choice.

The day ends with Tea or Coffee and a chance for you to tell us about your day. It should be remembered that this is not a course to teach you how to become a falconer or to keep birds of prey, but a fun day so please remember to bring your camera. Any spectator wishing to spend the day with you will be charged at half the total cost and these are limited to one per person.

We do recommend comfortable clothing and suitable footwear. Accommodation is available and details can be given upon request.

A Platinum Hawking day starts early, with your Falconer dressed in the traditional hunting uniform, preparing you for the hunt with an insight into this ancient sport, while you enjoy a choice of fresh coffee, Bucks Fizz or orange juice. Having learned how to handle your bird and the safety requirements, you are off to the hunting grounds in a modern 4 x 4, armed with a mini-hawking bag, our gift to you, containing useful items to keep you comfortable and warm, both inside and out.

Experienced Falconers will be with you at all times to ensure that you get the most from this unusual and exhilarating encounter with Birds of Prey. This is the time to take action photographs of you working with the birds and any game taken. Refreshments are served during the morning.

Lunch is taken at a local Inn where you can warm yourself in front of a log fire. A two course meal with a glass of wine and liqueur will ensure that you are ready for the afternoon hunt.

The second hunt ends when you return from the Bedfordshire countryside for refreshments, but your day continues with a visit to one of the largest collections of Birds of Prey in the UK. Your Falconer will continue to answer your questions and provide you with more photographic opportunities until the departure time. You may, if you wish, take home any edible game that your bird catches during the day. To ensure personal tuition all groups are restricted to small numbers.

The price of a Platinum day is £195 and includes all refreshments, the souvenir hawking bag, and the use of full falconry equipment for the day. You are asked to wear suitable outdoor clothing and Wellington boots. A change of footwear is required for lunch and for when you finish your day with us. Free transport can be arranged from a pick-up point within 10 miles of the Falconry Centre and information on overnight accommodation is available, upon request.

We also arrange Corporate Activity days, half days and evening events and can supply details of these, if required.

For Gift Vouchers, or to book a Hawking day (October - February, seven days a week) call 01767 627527, Fax: 01767 627752. Email: falconry.centre@virgin.net

This course is designed to give you a valuable practical instruction in keeping and flying owls. It is a two day course and covers:

• The law relating to birds of prey.
• The opportunity to free-fly owls.
• Food, health and disease.
• Daily management and equipment.
• Manning and early training.
• Housing.
• Weight Charts, bathing and casting.

• The birds themselves and the Law.
• Health and disease.
• Housing and the new arrival.
• Flying Free.
• Manning and early training.
• Lost Hawks.
• Food and weight charts.
• General Management.
• Imping and coping.
• Bathing, feeding and casting.
• Tools and equipment.
• Expert Tuition.

Advance long wing and hawk courses are available on request. As much of the course is outdoors we recommend that you bring waterproof clothing and wellington boots plus a notepad and pencil. Due to responsibilities in handling birds of prey every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure guests handle sociable and amenable birds, their behaviour can be unpredictable, guests therefore participate at their own risk. Accommodation is available and details can be given upon request.