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Sunday, June 7th saw NRC setting off on the annual club excursion, the venue this year - Eagle Heights near Eynsford in Kent.
A mini-bus was hired, and
although the weather forecast was for wet weather, it didn't dampen the
spirits of the group on the day. After a long ride down 3 motorways through
some torrential rain, plus a half hour wait for an accident to clear
on the M1, we finally broke through to blue skies and sunshine as we neared
our destination. After the customary rush to find the toilets, we were taken on a guided tour around eagle heights and shown all the different aspects of what they do. They have a fine collection of birds, but they also have Cheetahs and reptiles to add to the interest. After the tour, the cafeteria was open, and refreshments were taken on board just prior to the first demonstration of the day.
The demonstration started out
with an American Bald Eagle, who gave us a terrific display of these
powerful and majestic eagles. We were then introduced to a couple of falcons, both flown to one lure, which was a terrific display of hunting falcons working as a team to wear down the quarry and eventually make the kill. after a good bit of lure work, another falconer was called in with an additional lure, and both birds were called down and rewarded.
We were then treated to the
largest bird of prey, the Andean Condor. He was taken to the top of the
hill, where the plan was to run him down and maybe get him airborne, but the
wind wasn't quite enough, and so he ran down the hill with his wings spread! After the rundown, he was walked among the crowd so that we could get a better look at him...some find them ugly birds, some find them beautiful...but they certainly are masters of the sky when it comes to soaring...shame we don't have that kind of terrain and climate here!
The last bird to be flown was
our beloved little British barn owl..still struggling to survive in the
wild, but getting buy with help from several wildlife trusts.
These little birds typify the English countryside and are a reminder of when times were good. Their silent, quartering style of flight makes them so agile and terrific hunters from both the air and from a perch. This owl was quite friendly and was pleased to meet new friends...sitting in between NRC members Mick Smith and Maralyn Marlow in this picture.
That ended the first
demonstration, and in between times, the group took lunch at a barbecue that
was firing up near the arena, then made there way to the lecture room where
there was to be a reptile and Meerkats demonstration. Three young members of the Eagle Heights team each brought a snake in to the lecture room with a view to telling us a little about each of them, then walking among us with the snakes so we could have the opportunity to touch them if we wished....here's where you sort the men from the boys! The young children showed no fear as a Boa Constrictor, a Bull Snake and a Flat King Snake were walked among them, they touched and stroked them and were really pretty taken with them...but some senior members of NRC kept their arms firmly folded and a stern look on their face when invited to touch the snakes!! We dont fear these powerful, sometimes ferocious birds...but a tiny little snake turns us to jelly!! Once the snakes had done the rounds, the Meerkats were brought out to do their bit, which was basically to be let out of a cage to feed in a tray..they were lively, and the kids loved them. The next demonstration started with an African Fish Eagle, very similar to the bald eagle, just different continents! This bird was quite fiesty and flew well, though it was she who dictated what would happen next all the way! She flew marvellously close over the heads of the audience, and was also accompanied by a wild living Maribu Stork!
The stork hung around,
firstly flying, then on foot wandering through the audience! The eagle was
flying very well, and took her turn atop the tall T perch to wait for her
"fish" to appear in the pond. Sure enough, the "fish" appeared,
Meantime, the Maribu was rounded up and fed, and then moved on. Next out was a Lanner of long standing at eagle Heights, she has been there since it's inception! By now the weather was being somewhat kind, providing a good stiff breeze to go with the sunshine and bright blue sky. The bird took off, and after chasing the lure for a few passes, she took off on the soar, ranging far out over the valley and riding the wind beautifully. She eventually made her way back toward the arena, and was called down in a powerful tall stoop to delight the audience!
And now, the finale, one of
the Cheetah's was going to be brought out to run after a meat lure down the
slope into the arena. Once the audience were briefed, the cheetah was
attached to a line, and the meat lure,
The day had gone very well, the weather being very kind to us, and after a final tour around the shop, the group boarded the bus to make the journey home. Next year's idea is Longleat Safari Park in Bath, same time next year. This will be discussed at the next meeting, and arrangements to start paying toward the trip from now can be put in place. Hopefully next year will see more numbers coming along!
John Tyas June 2009
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The bird was flown amongst the crowd so that all could get a good, close up
view of just how awesome these eagles really are! After flying to a high T
post at the back of the flying area, she was then called upon to demonstrate
what these eagles do in the wild. Some food was placed in a pond in the
flying arena, and the eagle dutifully swooped down, plucking it from the
water in one! A magnificent display of this bird's natural way of hunting.
and the eagle came down and took it in fine fish eagle style to the delight
of the audience!
similar
to the hare it the Greyhound track, was pulled down the hill. The Cheetah
took off in wild pursuit, and caught up with the lure right on cue in the
arena!! A great finish!!
