After a night sleeping like Irish royalty in the Queen Anne Suite of Dromoland Queen Anne SuiteCastle, it was only fitting that my morning began by enjoying the sport of kings.
The sun was out and the air was crisp. Jim from the Dromoland School of Falconry was waiting for me in front of the castle with TJ, the Harris’ Hawk. This wasΒ definitelyΒ a “pinch me” moment.
Falconry has been around for centuries,Β supposedlyΒ originating in Asia and then moving to Europe and the Middle East. Because of the cost of training and maintaining the birds, the sport {and hunting technique} was reserved for those of noble rank. Despite falconry’s hoity-toity past, I was getting a chance to try my hand at it.
Jim, TJ, and I set off down a dirt road that cut through Dromoland’s 410-acre estate. As we walked past the fenced-in pastures, Jim explained the history of falconry and more specifically, raptors, which are used in the sport. TJ, a Harris’ Hawk, is a type of raptor, which are characterized by their amazing powers of flight and sight, curved beak, and razor-like taloned feet.
With a saddle bag at his hip, Jim led me down to a thicket of trees; TJ was so good perched on Jim’s hand during the walk. I could tell the beautiful bird was smart enough to know that some exercise and food was on its way.
I was handed a leather glove and Jim gently placed a bit of raw meat onto my fist. Without hesitation, TJ hopped from Jim’s arm to my hand. I was a bit startled. This bird had no loyalty; he was going to whoever had the food.Β Although only about two pounds, I was caught off-guard by the weight and strength of his grip.
Looking down at TJ’s powerful talons, I noticed metal ringsΒ and leather straps around his ankles. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the rings had numbers on them. Jim explained that this is the way birds used for falconry are marked and identified. The leather straps are called leashes and used to keep the bird attached to its handler.
Once the meat was gone, TJ had no more use for me. He flew down to the ground and stared up at the bag containing his treats.
It was time to see exactly what TJ could do, so we walked a bit deeper into the woods. Jim cast TJ by moving his arm and releasing the leash. From there the bird showed me how graceful of a flyer he was. With a wing span of nearly four feet, he soared around darting in between branches before finally finding a perch high above us.
Not simply resting, TJ kept a keen eye for any kind of food. Jim explained that TJ’s diet had to be closely monitored. The birdβs gullet has a small sac called a crop in which undigested food is stored for later use. If TJ is fed too much he won’t hunt.
Native of the American Southwest, Jim explained that the Harris’ Hawk isn’t like other raptors who are lone hunters. In fact, there is only one other known species that is not a lone hunter. Instead, when found in nature, the Harris’ Hawk hunts in a group much like a pack of wolves. Once the prey is captured, the group of birds share the kill. As one of the fastest animals in the word, I imagined how spectacular that would be to see in real life.
Jim placed a piece of meat onto my gloved hand again, and in a blink of an eye, TJ was barreling towards my hand with a determined look in his eyes. Supposedly, the Harris’ Hawk has vision eight times better than that of a human, and they’re also blessed with remarkable hearing. I could easily see how these would be essential in finding mice,Β lizards, or rabbits scurrying on the ground.
After about an hour of wandering through the forest and playing with TJ, it was time to head back to the castle. He was full of meat and had more than done his job for the day.
I’d like to think that TJ warmed up to me, that perhaps we’d created a bond of some sort. After all, he’d playfully hopped on my head and dug his talons into my scalp. I’d gentlyΒ caressedΒ his feathers as we walked through the beautiful Irish countryside. Surely I wasn’t the only one feeling the connection.
In addition to all the fascinating bits I learned about about Harris’ Hawks and TJ, I also discovered that birds are not like dogs. They don’t get attached. They are only interested in you for as long as you have food. That was such a disheartening lesson to learn for this animal lover. Because of the newly-found affection I felt for TJ, IΒ cherishedΒ my last bit of time on the walk back to the castle.
Jim showed me the pins where the rest of the birds were kept. A variety of hawks, falcons, and owls were all basking in the warm, Irish sun. With some attached to perches with jesses and others in their pens, I was introduced to additional species of raptors. Full of more knowledge than I could possibly retain, Jim gave me the run-down of all their other birds.
AsΒ much as I wanted to stay, check out time at Dromoland was looming. I thanked Jim for such a wonderful morning and gave my new friend one last stroke of the feathers.Β Even though TJ would soon forget me, I would never forget him.
Nor would I forget my experience with the Dromoland School of Falconry.
Nomadic Translator @latinAbroad
September 18, 2012Badass. I’ll have to do this when I’m in Ireland! At first I though this was in Texas haha π
– Maria Alexandra
Spanish Translator @latinAbroad
September 18, 2012Whoops, I know what I did: since the euro to the school had “Timeout Chicago” as the domain, I missed the Ireland part. Ha =P
Leah Travels
September 18, 2012It was really an awesome experience. Actually, Maria, this bird is native of Texas, so you’re not too far off. Strange that I had to go all the way to Ireland to see a Harris’ Hawk.
Francesca
September 18, 2012You sound like a teenager who just got to meet her favorite heartthrob π What an experience! I’d be a little nervous about those razor-sharp talons coming at me, though. My brother- and sister-in-law were just in Ireland, too, and they did some falconry. They said it was a highlight of their trip.
Leah Travels
September 18, 2012Well, TJ was such a handsome thing with those big, brown eyes of his. π Yeah, the talons made me a tad nervous, but after he jumped on my head and didn’t hurt me I felt at ease. I’d have to say that this was one of my top two experiences in Ireland.
D.J. - The World of Deej
September 18, 2012What a unique experience…this reminds me of an episode of the Big Bang Theory, but since you’re not a geek the humor is lost here.
Leah Travels
September 18, 2012Yeah, I don’t watch the Big Bang, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a geek in other ways. For instance, I color-code my closet and only use white hangers. That geeky enough for you?
Mary Puckett
September 18, 2012What a fabulous experience! Many, many years ago our local taxidermist brought his Harris’ hawk to the ranch and did the same kind of thing…I will never forget the beauty of it all. Glad you had the opportunity to do this in such a magical place: )
Leah Travels
September 18, 2012Ok, so I had to reread your statement. I first thought the taxidermist brought out one of his stuffed birds. LOL! Now, that would be something to see hunt. π I’d never even heard of a Harris’ Hawk before this, but I’ve see many of them since my return. I guess I just never paid attention before. And you’re right, there is such a beauty in it all.
Kieu ~ GQ trippin
September 18, 2012Not like dogs?? Smart animal.. I wouldn’t stick around either if food was scarce. Lol. School of Falconry.. never heard of such thing – cool!
Leah Travels
September 19, 2012Never heard of falconry? You don’t know what you’re missing, Kieu. You must try it!
@mrsoaroundworld
September 19, 2012I so need to explore Ireland more and more! Loved this – and I could even be tempted to try some falconry!
Leah Travels
September 19, 2012I think if it’s good enough for royalty then it’s good enough for Mrs. O! You really should try it. Those birds are really something.
Margaret
September 19, 2012I’m jealous! I’ve always wanted to do this. Every time I’m traveling, and I see someone doing or demonstrating falconry, I go take a look, ask lots of questions, and eventually my family has to drag me away.
the lazy travelers
September 19, 2012we’re concerned that you fell in love with a man who dug his talons into your scalp, but he IS pretty cute.
Leah Travels
September 24, 2012I’ve always loved bad boys. What can I say?
Raul (@ilivetotravel)
September 20, 2012I am SURE that hawk is telling his peeps about the Texan lady he met. Don’t underestimate your sticking power!
Leah Travels
September 24, 2012Yes, I imagine that TJ is bragging to the owl that he groped me. And for the record, I’m just fine with that.
Tawny- Captain and Clark
September 20, 2012Awesome! Hawks are so incredibly beautiful. It still amazes me that they can be trained to hunt. This is definitely something we’d do. We just need to get ourselves to Ireland first.
Leah Travels
September 24, 2012I think that it’s inherent that they know how to hunt. It’s the part about bringing it back to the human that is hard to believe!
Traveling Ted
September 20, 2012I would like to train TJ or any falcon to fetch me a beer. In fact, any bird would do. I am not so hoity-toity that it would have to be a falcon. If I could do that, then I would really be a king.
Leah Travels
September 24, 2012Ted, I think with your outdoor prowess that you could raise a bird from infancy to fetch you a beer and a brat. And you’re already king in my book. π
Tlom @ Waegook Tom
September 21, 2012The last time I saw a falconry display – some time when I was in secondary school – the bird nearly whacked me in the face as it pummeled through the air to its trainer who was waiting with some food behind me. Luckily I ducked just in time…
This sounds amazing, though, although I can’t believe how callous TJ is with his affection. Such a player. You can do better, Leah.
Leah Travels
September 24, 2012Pooooor TOM! I imagine that you’re still tortured by the memory of that bird experience. And, yes, that TJ is a SERIOUS player. I imagine he was on to his next girl the next day. Bastard.
John
September 23, 2012What a cool sport. Thanks for sharing with us Leah. We’ve got these hawks in Colorado and though I’ve seen them soaring high above, I’ve never had the chance to hold one. Sounds like an amazing experience.
Leah Travels
September 24, 2012That’s right, John. They are in Colorado as well. I’ve seen them in Texas, but I didn’t know they what they were called. It really was an interesting experience that I’d like to try again.
Althea Young
September 24, 2012I think I should try that experience! Maybe a friendly eagle would do!
I’ll prepare my arms for it!
Leah Travels
September 24, 2012I’m not sure there’s such thing as a friendly eagle when there’s food involved. Just wear a thick coat and you’ll be fine.
The World Wanderer
September 24, 2012What a cool experience! This is something I’d definitely like to try one day!
Leah Travels
September 24, 2012I think you might like it better than SCUBA,that’s for sure. Ha!
mika
September 25, 2012Great Texas bird and an amazing experience Leah!
Leah Travels
September 25, 2012I know! Can you believe I had to go all the way to Ireland to see a bird from Texas?