Cheeky!!

Elvis adding some humour to the day. How do I look?

Easter Sunday at Lytham Hall

By 1215 hrs our display was set up. The weather was perfect.

Many people passed through our static display of photographs, falconry equipment and information, adverts and the birds. All three of our Harris Hawks were on display today, and they were loving the sunshine also.

We gave two small flying displays using Bob and Elvis. Although Kingo has been flying free recently, he had already flown that morning, and was enjoying his rest. He did have chance to show himself off to the crowds though when Shane brought him out on the gauntlet to talk about falconry.

The first flying display attracted quite a crowd, and members of the audience were given the chance to wear the gauntlet and have Elvis fly to them. By the time Bob flew, the crowd was even bigger. Some people having sat and waited since the first display.

Our son Thomas pulled the dummy bunny to assist in the display. We don't hide the fact that we hunt with our birds, our display contains some pictures of the birds with their prey. Hunting is what me and my family believe in.

We had a great day at Lytham Hall. The countryside and surroundings were beautiful, the weather was perfect, and all the people we met were lovely, and showed great interest in our display and the birds.

Hunting and Bobs' on the ball

Our male harris Bob has been on the ball up to the Christmas period. He's had a rabbit, female pheasant, wood pigeon and very near took a woodcock.He always gives 100% on the chase, nothing stops him, although he took on more than he could handle when he decided to go head on at a flock of crows who then decided they were going to get the better of him.Bob was pinned to a hawthorn hedge and remained pinned there until I got to him. Nasty, crows when they want to be.It's not put him off though, as 2 days later he walloped a rook before it got off the ground . A mallard would be nice over the next week or two, he did a good job on mallard last season. Keep up the good work Bob!

LYTHAM HALL

It's that time of year again. The hawks are finishing their moult, and after a quick retrain we're off to build up their fitness for the hunting season and hawk walks. That's what Shane Ousby and his wife Andrea were doing in the grounds of LYTHAM HALL today.

Shane said he really couldn't think of better surroundings to be training the birds in than the grounds of an old english hall. It's a fantastic place to be flying the birds, and a real chill factor. A big thank you to all concerned for arranging our visits.

All contents and photos © Shane ousby 2008

OUTWARD BOUND ADVENTURE DAY

Raptor-One was out & about again this weekend. This time we were in Cumbria, East of Lake Windermere where the WEST LANCASHIRE CUB SCOUTS held their Outward Bound Adventure Day. The location was Great Tower Scout Camp, vast acres of woodland and panoramic views. It was great to be asked to help out again, this our 4th visit to Great Tower.

Raptor-Ones' stand included TV/VIDEO thanks to Paul & Jonathon for sorting out the electric, way up in the wooded hills! Raptor-One spoke about Falconry equipment, showed examples of the equipment required to set up falconry, and explained about the types of birds a beginner to falconry could use.

Plenty of photos were taken of the birds with our made to measure gauntlets enabling the lucky ones to experience holding a bird (strictly no stroking was allowed). Following the photos came our flying display which attracted a large crowd, and involved some members of the Cub Scouts.

A great day was had by all, although Arthur the Redtail had a sulk with Elvis the Harris Hawk for stealing the limelight with his flying display, but a great day was had by all, and we even had the weather to match. A BIG thank you to Paul, Jonathon & Ruth for inviting us back again.

All contents and photos © Shane Ousby 2008

Raptor-ones Red Tail Buzzard 'Authur'

As you can see from these photos
'Raptor-Ones' Red Tailed Buzzard 'Arthur' just can't help showing off that sense of humour of his when it comes to photo time!


All photos © Shane Ousby

Raptor One attends 'The Fyldes' Mayors Charities in Lytham

CHARITY EVENT
Raptor-One was recently invited to attend a fund raising event for the The Fyldes' Mayors Charities in Lytham.

On the evening of Saturday 23 August, Raptor -One donated their time and efforts to assist in this worthy cause. Councillor Janine Owen, Deputy Mayor of The Fylde made all the arrangements for us to attend, and introduced us to Keith Hyde ...... the gentleman whose garden was the location of the charity evening.

Due to our inclement weather, it was a wet and windy set up, but a break in the weather allowed the birds to settle and the static display proved a huge success. Raptor-One was pleased to assist in the photographs with our Red Tailed Buzzard 'Arthur' enjoying the limelight whilst posing for the photos.

The Mayors charities included:

Trinity Palliative Care Services
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Easterleigh Animal Sanctuary

A great night was had by all, and the total raised on the evening was £ TBC


* Pictures included are of 'Raptor-Ones' display stand with Mr Shane Ousby and a picture of Arthur, Red Tailed Buzzard




All photos and contents © Shane Ousby 2008