The morning was slightly overcast, but warm and muggy as NRC were readying themselves and the birds for what was to be a busy day for the Northampton Show 2011.                                                          

The gates opened at 9:00, and before long, there were many people wandering around the stalls, not least of which was the NRC setup.

John Elliott was front of house with his owl education stand, a firm favourite of both kids and grown ups, not to mention introducing most of them to the owls they may see in their own countryside.

To add to the education side, Roland Richardson, an NRC long standing member had brought along some leather working equipment to demonstrate how jesses and anklets are made, and the tools involved, and also explained how they worked and how they were fitted to the bird. This was an added educational idea that generated a good bit of interest from visitors to the stand.

There was a good turn out of birds on the day, Roland bringing along Savannah, his female African Tawny Eagle, with three Harris Hawks, two females and a male, two African Spotted Eagle Owls, two White Faced Scops Owls, a Barn Owl, a European Eagle Owl and a Saker Falcon making up the itinerary.

Members manning the stall were never short of visitors asking questions, taking pictures and simply admiring the birds, relishing the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of them.

The weather gradually improved with the sun breaking through, and the dsay warmed up considerably..thankfully some members had packed diffusers which were filled with water, and we were able to cool the birds down with a misty spray of  water on their feathers.

All in all, a very good turnout for the show, and NRC are looking forward to attending once again next summer.

John Tyas

July 2011