There are certain advantages that come with having a modest sized mews; you can put one-on-one schooling into your charges so they’re properly socialized, closely evaluated, and kept in optimal flying condition. You can travel relatively easily – this is especially helpful if your method of transport is also “modest”.

And if you’re fortunate enough, flying under the radar with a small team enables you to develop the right individuals into apprentices – it enables them to develop multidimensional relationships with one’s Companions in a carefully monitored landscape.

Trust me, I’ve plenty to say on this subject — and I will. For now, though, I’m interested in introducing you to my beautiful Companions…

‘Sabre’ is a 3/4 Gyrfalcon/Saker Falcon hybrid. For simplicity’s sake, we discuss his appearance in terms of his being a full-blooded Gyrfalcon. The reality is, you’d be very hard-pressed to tell the difference between him and one of his wild counterparts. Our “champ” is three and a half years old, and came into my care from Saskatchewan.
Gyrfalcons are sub-arctic dwelling raptors; they’re built for the cold. I can honestly report he thoroughly enjoys frigid temperatures — I’ve even had occasion to witness him bathing in -10C weather! Scientists have noted amazing survival strategies in Gyrfalcons, caching food being one of them. ‘Sabre’ possesses a gentle soul, and what can only be termed “a sense of humour”. His aerial manoeuvres are completely breathtaking…he is the much-loved captain of “Team Feathers”.

‘Mohave’ was bred by Master Falconer Dan Paradis at the Centre de Fauconnerie du Quebec just over one year ago. He is the largest male Red Tail buzzard I’ve worked with to-date, and certainly the most beautiful. Red Tails are found throughout North America, and were first encountered as a species in Jamaica.
The secret to their success is the fact they’re not particular when it comes to how they answer the question “what’s for lunch?”. ‘Mo’ is a featured character on the web-series “Divine: The Series”, beautiful to work with, and a blessing at ‘Falcon’s Rest’.

Young ‘Jarih’ is the newest member of “Team Feathers”. She is a Saker Falcon, (Saker is a corruption of the Arabic “Saqr” which means…”falcon”…so basically in Anglo-speak we’re calling them “Falcon falcons”…imaginative). The species is considered “vulnerable” in the wild; human encroachment into their natural habitat and climate change have impacted the species they prey upon.
Regional extinction of the Steppe Saker has been attributed to the decline of the Red Cheeked Souslik, their principle prey.
From the night she arrived, ‘Jarih’ has astonished us with her biddable nature — accepting the hood (among other remarkable things) without protest from the moment it was introduced. Our “little flower” has shown tremendous drive, and a quick, willing mind from day one. We cannot wait to school her to free-flying with ‘Sabre’ as a cast!