Announcements
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When a bird of prey is flown in falconry, it is at its prime. Being able to catch wild quarry can only be done by the strongest and fittest bird of prey, and seeing a bird succeed in this fashion informs both the falconer and the rehabber that it’s ready to return to the wild.
Lauren McGough is featured on this year’s Birds of Prey Day poster and will be one of several special guests participating.
“These days we see more and more examples of people combining falconry practices with wildlife rehabilitation techniques,” explains Green Chimneys Wildlife Expert Paul Kupchok. “Twenty years ago, these were two entirely different worlds, but today they’re working together and wildlife is benefitting.”
Such is the case with Mongolian Eagle Hunter Lauren McGough. What began as a teenage fascination of golden eagles as hunting partners became a personal and professional passion. After pursuing bachelor degrees in both zoology and international relations, Lauren ventured to Mongolia in 2009 as a Fulbright Scholar to practice falconry with local eagle masters and trained eagles for hunting foxes on horseback. Lauren later earned a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She enjoys bringing the eagle training techniques she’s learned abroad back to the United States, where she teaches golden eagles in need of rehabilitation how to hunt.
Lauren will share her experiences as combined falconer, rehabber and anthropologist at the 27th Annual Birds of Prey Day. Join her and an impressive lineup of wildlife experts and environmentalists; for details visit the Birds of Prey Day webpage
Crowned the best for falconry in medieval times, gyrfalcons were once reserved for kings. As the largest falcon in the world, with exquisite plumage ranging from bright white to deep charcoal, gyrs are revered for their powerful skill of flight. Their long wings make hunting waterfowl from 3,000-feet-high a feasible and fantastical feat. This falcon was flown in the sport of falconry for several years.