Holly had her 1st free flight today, nerve wracking for us but she was oblivious!!! Just did a half dozen flights across the silage field.....nothing too adventurous as this was the furthest she has flown in her life......you could see the look of surprise on her little face, it was so funny!
Hopefully next week will bring much more exciting trips out for her.

Sam..........and I bet she loved every second, while you were pulling your hair out!!

She did Phil....she flew much much faster than usual, without the drag of the line behind her, and almost over-shot her landing on my fist. Can't wait to get her out again on Sunday.

It must be a magnificent feeling having a bird like that flying round you!
LynnT

Wow:) I love these updates. Thanks Sam
Anita

nice to hear the updates Sam.
Glad she is getting on well. By the way was she wearing the telemetery (sp ?) thingy ?
Sara

Yes sara, thats why its taken so long to get her free.....had to wait ages for telemetry to be made and arrive....unlike my other 2 harrises, this girl is a bit more likely to disapear into the blue yonder!

Well done Sam,since you have been telling us about the sport I've discovered a new interest. Saw the bird they used at Wimbledon and he had a telemetry on as well, quess when you have spent ages training a bird, the idea of them flying away and lossing them must be a big fear, to say nothing of the rapor you will have built up. Hope she goes from strength to strength. Do you have competitions or is it just the joy of watching a bird of pray work. JH

joy of watching a bird of pray work

Sorry, couldn't resist, Jackie.....but is it the praying for the bird to actually return or the praying for the prey to escape? :D :D :D :D [tongue firmly planted in cheeky cheek]
toodles

ROFL!!

Noooooooooo toodles, youve got it wrong!!! Its the little black bird with the narrow white collar, that drops to its knees in the middle of the field.(Another tongue firmly planted in cheeky cheek) haha.

ROFL at the image of a bird on its knees :D :D :D :D Hallejula, amen sister :D :D :D
:cool:
yes, my sp. is very off

Hallejula:)
sounds like something you would plant in your garden.

.or perhaphs its Halle Berries sister.

My minds eye can see a Magpie, complete with little habit and crook, on his knees, in the middle of a field, shouting loudly..." we shall start today with hymn number...."
Hang on a minute though, reading this back, some joker is going to ask me what sort of "habit" the magpie has!! lol

Or an imitation of (Film) The Princess Bride:
"Marwwaige" ---
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore"

Have you finished enjoying yourself ladies can I stick my head out again. Jackie

Ooops sorry Jackie, we woz only joking

Worry not, my spelling is so bad I'm used to having the mickey taken. Jackie

OI you lot.....I go away for two days & come back to find you hi-jacking my thread!!!!! Clear orf!!!!!!!
As a non-tennis fan....why was there a hawk (or falcon)? at Wimbledon?

To keep the pigeons away. Jackie

Oh....why do they need to keep pigeons away? Its not like they could fly off with the ball or anything? (Can you tell I am not a follower of tennis!!!???)
Allowing hawk to chase pigeons is a big NO-No in falconry circles, so this is all beyond me! (like most things!)

The pigeons walk all over the court & stop the play and do unmentional things all over everything. The London pigeons are considered about as much use as the rats, but think the hawk is used to deter rather than chase. But you know my knowledge of falconry. Jackie

Would have thought that with all those fast serves & high speed balls, no self respecting pigeon is going to hang about & get hit!

Whoever said that pigeons were smart, much less 'self-respecting'? :D :D :d
:cool:

Not the London ones Sam, you can stand and watch them walk under buses & if they land on the court they just walk about, particulaly if they are courting, you know what sex does to the brain. Jackie

Yep, the blood all goes to the tennis balls ...

(Sorry John, couldn't resist it :D.)

Praps David Attenborough should make a documentary about the wimbledon pigeons........certainly sounds more interesting than the tennis!!!

Would "Balls, Birds, and Blood" be acceptable as a working title?

Hi Sam,
Went to Pets at Home yesterday and a wild life trust for birds was there. They had a massive brown owl (not sure if a tawny - big yellow eyes) which could be stroked. Luckily no kids around at the time so had a great time stroking it as I have never been that near a bird like this before. Amazing. Had a male and female hawk as well sitting quietly on their perches in the open and a little snowy owl 11 weeks on in a cage with the top open. I had a great time. Hope them come back soon.

We did have a sparrowhawk in our patio garden when we lived near Big Ben sitting on one of our flowerpots and that was exciting too. Managed to get photos.

Sorry to waffle but very excited Gina !! :D

Sam,
How exciting!! Please keep us posted on how things are going. I really enjoy hearing about what you're getting up to!

Not heard of WTB before, hope they were being responsible & not promoting raptors as suitable pets! Aren't they wonderful though!?

Well done Sam, We get the new Harris on 6 August, cant wait. With one or two of the puppies staying with us and a new bird I will be busy, bliss!!!!!!!!
Diane

Diane....long time no postings!!!!!!!! Holly has been having a wonderful time flying today, going from tree to fist with great ease. Going to keep her going right through to the hunting season now......moult her out properly next year. You getting a new bird too...this years hatch I guess? Keep me up to date, we can compare notes
Sam