Speaker Steve Brazendale from Inspired Falconry

Kilrymont Rotary met on 19^th July when President Ewen Allan welcomed sixteen members and Dudley Foster, who was on Scatter Week from Leven Rotary Club.

Our speaker, Steve Brazendale from his own business "Inspired Falconry", based at Hammer Inn by Crail, demonstrated his intimate relationship with his birds of prey to inspire others and educate us in their behaviour and how they can be trained.  Basically hunters, the reward of food lured by signals that associate with the catch, smaller forms of wildlife, and meat such as venison are the reward for performing their act of flight. The hawks, owls, and falcons are hunters with special adaptations to give them natural advantage to kill their prey.

Steve introduced members to Luna, an Ash Grey Barn owl, whose heart-shaped face encased the most sophisticated hearing and night vision.

Steve was born a countryman’s son and apprentice to his father, an Aberdeenshire farrier. Starting his career as a Wildlife and Conservation Ranger, he moved to a position as manager on a large WestHighland estate. Deer have no natural predators, so the population numbers were sustainable only by culling. Likewise wild birds have to be protected from foxes and other enemies. Always a ‘people person’, it was here that he focussedon the opportunity to inspire and educate the public in the behaviour and handling of Nature’s most beautiful predators.

Now running a business “Inspired Falconry" at Hammer Inn, Crail, the public are introduced to the history of Falconry and practical experience of flying these birds.

Many questions allowed elucidation of what is involved in rearing and training the birds and were a testimony to Steve's intimate care and skills.

A vote of thanks was given by James Yule, who reminded us of a social event on 30^th August to visit “Inspired Falconry” at Hammer Inn.