Some strong winds and threatening clouds were challenging the gallant few who braved the elements on this wintery Sunday morning in Northamptonshire.

The number attending were split into groups for this, one of the last meets for the 2010/2011 season. There were two Goshawks and five Harris Hawks flying on the day, and as the Gos' headed over to one side of the estate, the Harris' visited another side.

Once the Harris group had arrived at their location, the group was split again into two, and each worked in different woods for better sport.

The morning was slow for both groups, with no quarry being taken by any group until the two Harris groups met up in a well covered wood, and the first quarry was flown by Buddy, Mick Smith's male.

A phone call from the Gos group informed us that they had taken two kills, and were on their way back to the vehicles for lunch, and we headed back to join them.

After hot drinks and some chat, it was obvious that the wind was picking up and wreaking havoc, and as we had so far had an injury free meet, we decided not to push our luck and call it a day.

John Tyas

February 2011