How did you get into Falconry?
- torasfalconry
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
It’s a question I’m often asked—rightly so. When I look back, there are key milestones that ignited this passion, shaping my journey into the world of falconry.
The Spark of Obsession
My fascination with birds of prey began at a young age. It all started with a falconry display at a local village fete. I was mesmerized. Watching a falcon swoop and weave through obstacles with effortless grace left me in awe. But what captivated me just as much was the falconer—the synergy between man and bird was extraordinary. Of course, I now know that effortless is far from the right word; behind that seamless performance lay years of dedication and training.
From that moment on, I was obsessed. To my parents’ absolute delight, I wanted to witness every falconry display I could. Any opportunity to see birds of prey up close was one I had to take.
A Gift That Changed Everything
The next step was to experience falconry firsthand. My now-wife, Katie, gifted me an experience day in Ludlow, deep in the hills with a falconer who owned a variety of birds. We handled owls, learned about the lifestyle, and ended the day flying Harris hawks in an abandoned quarry.
That moment changed everything. It was the first time I realized that owning, training, and flying these magnificent creatures was not just a dream—it could be a reality. But timing was everything. I was still training in my engineering career, hadn’t yet moved out, and was only just getting used to driving. What I initially saw as an exciting hobby soon revealed itself as a full-fledged lifestyle—one that required patience, commitment, and time.
Taking the First Steps
Years passed, filled with relentless reading, research, and planning. After moving to our dream home and starting a family, an opportunity finally presented itself—I volunteered at a falconry center. This experience paved the way for me to own my first bird: Digit, a small common barn owl.
Digit was from the center, but he wouldn’t fly there. Determined to change that, I committed weeks of effort to his training. Slowly but surely, he began to trust me. The day he finally flew was unforgettable. That once-timid barn owl transformed into a confident bird, flying to me, my family, and even interacting with visitors at the center.
Enter Tora: The Game Changer
With experience under my belt and my first owl at my side, the next pivotal moment arrived—Tora, my first hawk. She was a female Harris hawk, and she was fiery, strong-willed, and stubborn. Not exactly the ideal temperament for an easy training experience.
Our journey together was anything but smooth. She challenged me constantly, testing the boundaries of our relationship. But after months of perseverance, we had a breakthrough—Tora caught her first rabbit. That single moment changed everything. It was as if a switch had been flipped. She understood her role, trusted me fully, and even became comfortable with most people she encountered. From that point on, she flew for pleasure, for trust, and for partnership. She became an integral part of my falconry walks, even flying alongside my young son, completely at ease.
Growing, Learning, and Passing It On
Momentum built rapidly from there. Through the falconry center, I gained invaluable hands-on experience with various birds, imprinting owls in my own home and training different breeds to fly free. But one of the most magical aspects of falconry is that there is always more to learn. No matter how experienced you are, the journey never truly ends.
The Birth of Tora’s Falconry
And so, here we are—taking the next step in my family’s falconry journey. Welcome to Tora’s Falconry, where we aim to share the lessons we’ve learned through this incredible lifestyle. We don’t just want to showcase birds of prey—we want to create unforgettable, educational experiences for others, just as we have been fortunate enough to experience ourselves.
Falconry is more than a passion. It’s a way of life. And now, we want to share its magic with you.
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