Welcome to North Pennine Falconry
North Pennine Falconry is based in Knarsdale, Northumberland, close to Alston, which is just over the border in Cumbria. We are able to offer both flying and static displays, for small country shows, village fetes, open days, educational talks and school visits. We also provide pest control and hunting days, to give interested parties a more in depth insight into the the world of the falconer and the close relationship that exists between man and bird, all under the close supervision of an experienced falconer.
Falconry is over 4,500yrs old. It is thought to have started in Central Asia and gradually spread westwards through Europe and eventually America.
Falconry now has protected status under UNESCO as a ' living human cultural heritage'.
Falconry has been practiced continually in an unbroken chain, traditionally handed down from father to son for this period of time.
Falconry was certainly practiced in England long before the Norman conquests of 1066, where the saxon king Harold, rode into battle against Duke William of Normandy at Hastings, carrying his falcon. King Henry VIII was also a keen falconer.
Falconry in its true sense is 'The art & practice of hunting quarry in its natural state with a trained bird of prey'.
In truth, a Falconer trains and flies falcons, an Austringer trains and flies Accipiters (true hawks eg. Goshawk, Sparrowhawk etc..) and broadwings (Buzzards and Eagles).
There are 286 species of Raptor in the world this is excluding Owls (Strigiformes). Although some of these Raptors are useful as hunting partners most are not and are best preserved in their natural wild state.
Most of the birds used in modern falconry are captive bred.
If you are interested in Falconry or would simply like a closer encounter with these fascinating birds, or you require a pest species controlled, then please feel free to contact us.
We also offer a Pest Control service. Details of which can be found on the Wildlife Managment page under MORE!
North Pennine Falconry is based in Knarsdale, Northumberland, close to Alston, which is just over the border in Cumbria. We are able to offer both flying and static displays, for small country shows, village fetes, open days, educational talks and school visits. We also provide pest control and hunting days, to give interested parties a more in depth insight into the the world of the falconer and the close relationship that exists between man and bird, all under the close supervision of an experienced falconer.
Falconry is over 4,500yrs old. It is thought to have started in Central Asia and gradually spread westwards through Europe and eventually America.
Falconry now has protected status under UNESCO as a ' living human cultural heritage'.
Falconry has been practiced continually in an unbroken chain, traditionally handed down from father to son for this period of time.
Falconry was certainly practiced in England long before the Norman conquests of 1066, where the saxon king Harold, rode into battle against Duke William of Normandy at Hastings, carrying his falcon. King Henry VIII was also a keen falconer.
Falconry in its true sense is 'The art & practice of hunting quarry in its natural state with a trained bird of prey'.
In truth, a Falconer trains and flies falcons, an Austringer trains and flies Accipiters (true hawks eg. Goshawk, Sparrowhawk etc..) and broadwings (Buzzards and Eagles).
There are 286 species of Raptor in the world this is excluding Owls (Strigiformes). Although some of these Raptors are useful as hunting partners most are not and are best preserved in their natural wild state.
Most of the birds used in modern falconry are captive bred.
If you are interested in Falconry or would simply like a closer encounter with these fascinating birds, or you require a pest species controlled, then please feel free to contact us.
We also offer a Pest Control service. Details of which can be found on the Wildlife Managment page under MORE!
