I was horrified to see how long it's been since the last one. Life at North Devon Hawk Walks has been busy over recent months. The upturn in the national economy is reflected in the number of people wanting to go on hawk walks. May 2014 was the best one, in terms of number of customers, for three years.
The hawks remain their own sweet selves. Cassius is as friendly and approachable as ever. Lady Macbeth is as forbidding and dignified as ever. The only real change has been with Artemis the Sparrowhawk who early in May began to get get broody. Her usual raucous squawk demanding food turned into a low-toned, seductive cheep as her hormones took control. She is an imprint so there was no question of her wanting a male Sparrowhawk, it was me she fancied. Some hurried research later and I hooked up with a guy who breeds birds and was able to give me a crash course on avian artificial insemination. Sad to say, Artemis' hormones had kicked in a bit too late and there were no imprint male Sparrowhawks still producing semen. She laid one, unfertilised egg. However, we shall be prepared next year.
We are all concentrating on the moult at the moment. Lots of food, lots of sunshine to stimulate the annual dropping and regrowing of feathers. Photos to follow.
I've started Facebook pages both for myself, Nigel Penfold, and North Devon Hawk Walks. We are also on Trip Advisor and doing very well, thank you, in terms of good reviews. 37 so far, and all 5 star Excellent. There's definitely something about birds of prey that appeals to people.
Below is a pic of Her Ladyship shouting abuse at a passing dog.
