For specific times and dates for the various venues, visit the Soar South website at http://soarsouth.blogspot.com/2009/10/upcoming-programs-november-2009.html or email s.o.a.r.south@hotmail.com.

Date: 7 November 2009
Venue: Various
City: Various
Country: United States of America

Related posts:

1. Hudson Bird Show 2009
2. Mid-South Exotic Bird Fair 2009
3. San Jose Bird Mart 2009

Children are to be accompanied by adults, as some of these majestic birds are capable of attacking a small deer. For more information regarding the show and its schedule, contact Falcon Ridge show organizers directly on 082 774 6398.

Date: Every Day except Fridays
Venue: Falcon Ridge
City: Champagne Valley, Drakensburg
Country: South Africa

Related posts:

1. Massachusetts Cage Bird Show 2009
2. Hudson Bird Show 2009
3. Texas Bird Breeders Annual Fall Show and Fair 2009

The National Birds of Prey Center, located near Newent in Gloucestershire, is one of Britain’s premiere attractions and one of the top birds of prey centers in the United Kingdom. It is home to roughly 170 different birds of prey, including 22 species of eagles, falcons and hawks – a real treat for any bird lover or falconer.

This large center was created primarily to assist with the conservation of birds of prey through captive breeding, rehabilitation, rescue and research. To this end the center has a very good captive breeding program, which contributes to the conservation, rescue and rehabilitation of many of the different species that are brought here every year to receive highly specialized care. The captive breeding program mainly involves home bred birds or birds that have been donated from other zoos. The birds are encouraged to breed during each breeding season by the provision of adequate nesting materials. Some birds even have their nests made for them! The captive environment gives researchers plenty of time to study the bird’s natural behavior during the mating process and this research can be of great assistance to both help birds in captivity at other centers and in the wild. But this is just one small function performed by the National Birds of Prey Center.

The center also acts as an invaluable education tool for visitors who learn a lot about the birds from conveniently posted informative material and daily flying demonstrations. The education room and guide book also serve to further the knowledge of the various visitors who come to the center. The center runs a number of courses designed to help serious minded potential bird owners improve there knowledge and skills where possible and to gain some on-hand experience with different birds of prey. A number of schools regularly visit the center for field trips and students from schools and colleges throughout the world are regularly invited to gain invaluable work experience at the center. The center’s collection is used for DNA studies and biology in ways that are as unobtrusive to the birds as possible and the research aspect of the center will likely continue to expand in years to come.

However, perhaps the most heart-warming aspect of the center’s work is its efforts with regard to injured, sick, rescued and confiscated birds that are brought here each year. Where possible, these birds are made well again and released back into the wild. Unfortunately this is not always possible and sometimes the bird will become a permanent, well-cared for resident of the center. The National Birds of Prey Center is open all year around, with the exception of Boxing Day and Christmas Day. So make sure you visit this excellent bird facility.

Related posts:

1. Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center
2. Falcon Ridge Birds of Prey Show
3. Pay a Visit to the National Aviary

Most falconers would agree that the ancient art of falconry requires plenty of patience, perseverance and time. Training birds of prey (raptors) is a lengthy and complex process, but can be extremely rewarding. With the goal of protecting the birds, most countries have strict laws with regard to the capturing and keeping of raptors, requiring that training be done under the supervision of a licensed falconer. When one considers that many important training details vary between species of raptors, individual raptors, as well as to where and when it is best to undertake training, it is clear that consulting a professional falconer is essential for the raptor as well as the would-be falconer.

Although most falconers are of the opinion that there is a bond of mutual trust between themselves and their birds – the bird trusting the falconer to provide food and protection and the falconer trusting the bird to come back when released – raptors are non-affectionate animals that have no ability to accept a submissive or dominant role in a relationship. Birds of prey are both intelligent and opportunistic and have come to realize that the falconer is the easiest and most dependable source of food and protection. So when a raptor obeys commands from a falconer, it is not because the bird is seeking approval, the relationship is purely a matter of convenience for the raptor. The Harris’ Hawk is the only known exception with regard to falconer-raptor relationships and is known to respond affectionately to its owner.

Many falconers recommend starting off with a kestrel (a small species of falcon) because a light weight bird is easier to handle for falconer training. For those who are serious about pursuing falconry as a sport, it is not recommended to start off with a Harris’ Hawk. The reason for this is that these birds will still hunt successfully despite any mistakes that the novice falconer may make, thereby not allowing the novice to develop true falconer skills.

If taking a bird from the wild, the best age is under a year old while in juvenile plumage. It is estimated that between 30 – 70 percent of these birds, known as passage’s, would die within their first year, so capture of a juvenile hawk does not impact on raptor populations. It is strongly suggested that birds that are in adult plumage (haggards) should not be captured. They are more difficult to train for return, and the capture of an adult bird can negatively impact the local pool of viable breeding adults. There are many pros and cons with regard to hand-rearing a fledgling (downy bird that cannot yet fly) and this should only be undertaken by experts.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that falconry is easy and an unusual way of passing the time. However, the relationship between a falconer and his bird cannot be compared to keeping a pet bird. To do justice to the art of falconry requires financial outlay, plenty of time and a deep sustained commitment. Experienced falconers agree that the effort is well worthwhile.

Related posts:

1. Falconry Part 1: Origins and Applications
2. Marvelous Work of The Raptor Foundation
3. An Exciting Adventure at Pacific Northwest Raptors

Falconry is a sport that involves the training of birds of prey to hunt game for their trainers. Although not all birds of prey are falcons, the previous use of the term “hawker” when hawks were used for hunting has come to commonly be used as a term describing traveling traders. For this reason the term “hawker” has fallen into disuse, with “falconer” and “falconry” applying to the sport irrespective of the species of bird used.

It is not entirely clear when and where the sport of falconry started, but the most widely held view is that it began in Central Asia and the Middle East, possibly as long ago as 1000 BC. In the Middle Ages (5th to 15th century) falconry became a status symbol, as it was only the noble classes that could afford the time, money and space necessary to raise and train birds of prey. In Japan, the issue of status went so far as to place restrictions on who was permitted to hunt and which animals could be hunted, all based on rank within the Samurai – the military nobility.

There are several categories of raptor that are suitable for use in falconry. These are grouped into three classes: broadwings (eagles, buzzards and Harris hawks); longwings (falcons); shortwings (accipiters – commonly goshawks and sparrowhawks).

Falconry is currently practiced worldwide, although not always for the original purpose of hunting game. Falconry techniques are used fairly extensively in bird abatement – eradicating birds that pose a threat to human endeavors or profits such as farming, high air traffic areas where birds can cause airplane crashes and from factories that need to be contamination free.

Falconry techniques are invaluable in the field of raptor rehabilitation, where injured or sick birds of prey are nursed back to health with the goal of returning them to their natural habitat. During convalescence a bird’s muscles often atrophy, and falconry techniques are used to exercise the birds in preparation for their release.

If you have the opportunity of attending a display of raptors being put through their paces by a falconer, you are sure to be awe-struck by the abilities of these amazing birds as they soar upwards until they are a speck in the sky and then swoop down at lightning speed to accurately catch a small piece of meat tossed into the air. Then you will understand why many call falconry an art.

Related posts:

1. Falconry Part 2: The Basics
2. The National Birds of Prey Center in Gloucestershire
3. An Exciting Adventure at Pacific Northwest Raptors

To join in on the fun, interested parties should make their way to the Annual Cape May Autumn weekend, that takes place between 26 to 28 October 2007. Of course the Cape May Bird Show is spectacular, but it is the field trips, workshops and presentations by well-known bird handlers, naturalists and authors that make this event exciting and adventurous.

The field trips that are organized by the festival include locations such as Stone Harbor Point, Cape May Point, Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge and Higbee Beach. On these spectacular trips, visitors will be able to view a total of two hundred different bird species and join seabird watching, hawk watching and migratory birds of prey expeditions. Botany Field Trips are also offered. And if raptors are your passion, then attending the presentation by Jonathan Wood, from the Raptor Project, is essential. He will be discussing various interesting facts and aspects of eagles, hawks and many others. Workshops and programs that are offered at the Annual Cape May Autumn Weekend include Birding for Beginners, Hawk Identification, Waterfowl Identification, Binocular Workshop, Seabird Identification, Spotting Scope Workshops, How to Sketch Birds, Birding Field Craft and How to Spot an Owl. A trip on the Cape May Lewes Ferry is another relaxing and entertaining way to enjoy the festival, and visitors might be lucky enough to view birds such as jaegers, gulls, gannets, scoters and loons.

Special evening programs, banquets and guest speakers have also been arranged. Many bird lovers will be thrilled to know that some of the authors and artists of the book, “Good Birders Don’t Wear White”, will also be at the festival for a book signing event that takes place on Saturday the 27th of October 2007. The Convention Hall is a treasure trove of interesting stalls and stores that give visitors the opportunity to purchase a few gifts, souvenirs, crafts, and other beautiful items. For a true autumn and bird life experience, the Annual Cape May Autumn Weekend is the place to be.

Related posts:

1. Borneo Bird Festival 2009
2. Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival
3. Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding & Nature Festival