I have been watching a lot of raptors lately here in Ireland. The local pair of kestrels I see nearly everyday, battling the wind as they hover above the grassy hill, watching for beetles below and getting mobbed by the local hooded crows which take exception to their presence. Every sunny day I see more…

It is days like today that makes living in Ireland tolerable. After the rain last night, today dawned a beautiful crisp clear morning and a more perfect day for flying falcons would not be possible. There was a good stiff breeze blowing as I gave my Saker falcon his daily exercise; stooping him at the lure to tire him out and build up some muscle. I gave him about five or six minutes of that and he was panting hard as I let him catch the lure.

My Lanner falcon then had her turn on the wing, more…