Fir Tree Falconry in Warmington has become a fully-accredited assessment and administration point for Lantra's Falconry Award.

The award has been developed by Lantra Awards and the Hawk Board ensuring it has been tailored to all falconry and bird of prey keeping needs.

Falconer Keith Jones of Fir Tree Falconry said: "This award is for people who are thinking of getting a bird of prey. It will teach them everything they need to know to be able to care for it properly.
"The course will cover things including handling the birds, flying and feeding."

The five-day Lantra Awards accredited course gives an introduction to the history of falconry before teaching all the aspects associated with birds of prey.

People can learn about housing birds, preparing food, the law surrounding birds of prey and obtaining birds. There will also be opportunities for people to handle the birds when they learn to fly them and take part in hawk walks.

Mr Jones said: "Anyone can do this course. If people want to learn falconry this will teach them to go about it the right way and when people pass they will get a certificate.

"This course is about stopping people going out and buying these birds and not knowing how to care for them properly."


To watch a slideshow of pictures of the birds at Fir Tree Falconry, click on the 'play' link.


Lantra Awards is a nationally recognised awarding body approved to develop and accredit qualifications. It has worked in partnership with the Hawk Board, which represents all falconers and birds of prey keepers in the UK, to develop the course.

In addition to the Lantra course Fir Tree Falconry offers two other shorter courses: the Introductory Day Course and the three-day Hands On Course.

Fir Tree Falconry has built up an impressive reputation during its ten years at the site, running National Wildlife Courses for The Ministry Of Defence. The course is run jointly by the MOD and Warwickshire Police and various police forces throughout the country attend the partnership against Wildlife Crime.

The falconry has more than 20 birds consisting of hawks, kestrels and owls. In addition to welcoming visitors to its site to view and handle the birds, the falconry is also available to hire for a range of events including parties, schools and corporate events.

For more information about Fir Tree Falconry and the Lantra Awards course visit www.firtreefalconry.co.uk.