3000 displays at Bovey Castle

Well this week I did my 3000th display at Bovey Castle hotel, quite an achievement as I started contracting there when it opened in 2004, coming in to cover for a couple of months whilst they got their own falconry set up going, but for some reason they never got rid of me.(apparently someone did laugh at one of my jokes once)
It is one of the most fantastic places to be doing displays, the setting on the terrace is stunning, made to have hawks flown round it, and the views over the golf course gives the eagles a chance to spot potential targets!
We've been using the Hotel for lunches for our falconry days and hunting days, and have never been disappointed in the top quality food, the only problem being getting clients out again if the weather is a bit Iffy, and quite a few of our clients have decided to stay there during their visits to us.
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The imprints

Very unusual for us, two of our falcons this year are imprints, Fedrico the American kestrel, and Philippa's falcon, Bernie the Barbary. These are being well looked after by are other youngster, Boris the Ginger thing
Both have been running the Reception desk at Bovey Castle in their spare time,

2500 displays at Bovey Castle

We were doing a tot up yesterday and worked out that, give or take a couple, Saturdays display at Bovey Castle would be our 2500th display there.

We've had a very good relationship[ with Bovey Castle over the years, started in November 2003 when Chris mount called and asked us if we would be able to do displays until they had their own in place.

I said of course pleased to help and we started just before Easter 2004 when the Hotel opened

Nearly seven years later we are  still in there practically every day, and run experiences for a lot of their clients, and of course, we are now working on Artemis, the Bovey Castle eagle.

It's a relationship  that works very well for both sides, and one we hope will run for years to come

Artemis' first display

Well Artemis too part in her first flying display today, performing (in a very limited fashion) in the breafast time display at Bovey Castle this morning

Her manners are still lovely, and as training progress she is going to be a stunning adition to the displays at the hotel and give a great oppertunity to clients wishing to spend time working with an Eagle

Shazza's progress

She settled well yesterday and is even better today, hooding needs a quick hand, but is manageable.

She went into Bovey Castle today to look round and behaved perfectly, without baiting once, even posing inside for a couple of photo's.

The dogs are a permanent fixture while she's being manned, but  Danny gets a bit over excited, I think he assumes I've got a BIG Harris' for him to go hunting  with

The Eagle has landed

The newest adddition to the team, A young Lady we are working  with for Bovey Castle Hotel

Artemis (Sharon to her friends) is a Golden/Steppe eagle hybrid and will be seen frequently on Dartmoor as her training progress

Waiting for a rabbit to bolt,

Agravane,Gawain and Horrible hector a few days ago, back when we still had sunshine

Boxing day Jollies

 Boxing day is one of the busiest days of the year for us here, and this year was no exception.
It started with our daily display at Bovey Castle Hotel to a good size audience, Strait from there to Gidleigh Park Hotel, Our first Christmas display from them Gladamir decided that flying next to the river teign was to scary for words (but Christmas displays would not be the same without one of the large owls letting me down), everyone else behaved perfectly.
Back home for a bite to eat when I spotted a pair of magpies in our end field so I grabbed Mordred and had a very nice flight, with the magpie finally besting us in my neighbours sheep.
Back to Bovey castle to drop off the ferret racing team, then on to the Two Bridges Hotel right in the middle of the Moor. Yet again every one behaved well, despite the heavens opening on us (See Agravane doing his verp p***** off soggy Harris' on a lamppost impression)

Luckily it did not last long.
I was winding up there when I noticed that somehow Morguasse had got herself on the cadge (don't no how, Honest) so it seemed to good a chance to miss as I had to go back via some of my best crow hawking ground.
She had a nice flight catching her crow in a nice sheltered spot, so I joined her with a cup of coffee,and we relaxed, listening to the Mid Devon Hounds in the distance.
I may be Bah Humbug about Christmas, but Boxing day has to be one of my favorite days.