Mercer Falconry

18/06/2026

Not only is Nora working on her lure work, but so is Red Dawn the Lanner Falcon!

You can actually meet Red and our other birds on one of our experiences! Visit the Mercer Falconry website to book!

17/06/2026

In order to mimic flying prey, falconers will use lures to train their falcons, which are naturally aerial hunters. These lures are leather pads, sometimes adorned with the wings of the falconer’s intended quarry (e.g magpie wings), which are attached to a long line and a handle. The lure is then swung and thrown out for the bird but pulled back at the last minute. This is known as a pass. A well timed pass will encourage a falcon to bring its feet out to grab the lure, but it is just out of reach. Now, falcons can be very determined individuals, the better the passes, the more motivated they are to try and grab the lure. Over time, the number of passes is increased and this does wonders for a bird's fitness! Of course, each lure session ends in a big reward for the bird, whether they caught the falconer out or not.
Different types of lures can be used for other birds. Some lures can be dragged to mimic other prey, such as dummy bunnies for birds like Harris’ Hawks.

We've actually been working on Nora the Eurasian kestrel's lure work, and are hoping to get her flying to the lure on display to show off her natural agility!

You can actually meet Nora and our other birds on one of our experiences! Visit the Mercer Falconry website to book!

16/06/2026

Sound up for some Lanner Falcon ASMR from Red Dawn 🔉

15/06/2026

People have been asking (honestly far more than I was expecting at this stage!!!) so here it is.
Falconry Course prices and packages are now confirmed!

The new Falconry Course has been designed to give beginners a clearer, more flexible route into responsible raptor keeping.

You can either book the theory and practical sessions separately, or choose a package and save.

Prices:

Theory Course: £325

1 Hour Practical Session: £40

2 Hour Practical Session: £75

Starter Package: £460
Includes the theory course plus 2 x 2-hour practical sessions.

Full Package: £799
Includes the theory course plus 8 x 2-hour practical sessions.

Students who choose a package can still book extra practical sessions afterwards if they need more support before assessment.
Please note: students also pay the £44 Raptor Awards fee, and a £50 assessment fee once they are ready.

Bird of Prey Alliance members receive a further 10% off all prices.
Message us to book your place or find out more.

12/06/2026

Thinking about getting into falconry but not sure where to start?

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is focusing on getting a bird before building the knowledge, skills and experience needed to care for one properly.
That's exactly why we've created our FREE "How To Get Started In Falconry" Guide.

Inside you'll discover:
✅ The best first step before owning a bird
✅ Why hands-on experience matters
✅ Essential books every beginner should read
✅ How volunteering can accelerate your learning
✅ The value of accredited falconry training
✅ Finding mentors and joining the falconry community
✅ A clear roadmap to becoming a knowledgeable and responsible falconer

Download your free copy today by scanning the QR code below (link also in the comments).

10/06/2026

10/06/2026

Why are owls so messy looking?

Owl plumage is very fluffy and messy compared to other birds of prey. This isn’t because owls are too lazy to neaten themselves, it is actually one of their adaptations for silent flight. Their feathers are very wispy and are not as streamlined as the likes of a falcon's feathers.
When a non-owl bird species takes off, their wings create two large swirls of air known as wingtip vortices. These swirls create the whooshing sound we hear when a bird flies by. Because owls have all these wispy feathers poking out, it actually creates thousands of tiny little swirls of air; the more swirls, and the smaller they are, the less sound we can hear.

📸- Simon Bird

07/06/2026

Big changes are Coming to Falconry Course

Dan and Cerys are currently hard at work building the next generation of Falconry Course, and we are both really excited to announce that our brand new training programme will officially launch on the 1st of August! (we hope because we still have lots of work to do on it 😬)

Over the past months we have been redesigning the way people can learn falconry. We want to make learning more flexible, more accessible, and more effective for modern falconers.

New Online Learning Area

Students will receive access to a dedicated online learning platform where they can work through the complete Raptor Awards theory syllabus at their own pace, including:

✅ 9 professionally structured theory presentations covering all Raptor Awards modules
✅ A comprehensive companion study guide
✅ Downloadable worksheets and learning activities
✅ Additional learning resources and reference materials
✅ Access to a dedicated WhatsApp community for support, questions and discussion with fellow students and instructors

No more trying to absorb everything on a single 5 day course. Learn the theory when it suits you, revisit topics whenever needed, and arrive prepared for the practical elements.

New Practical Lesson System at Mercer Falconry

We're also introducing a completely new practical training pathway.
Rather than attending a fixed block course, students will be able to book:

✅ Private 1-hour lessons
✅ Private 2-hour lessons

One-to-one instruction, tailored to individual progress. Each student will receive a practical progress workbook, allowing them to work through every skill required for the Raptor Awards practical assessment. As your confidence and competence grow, you can tick off each practical element until you are fully prepared for assessment.

Our new system allows students to:
• Learn theory at home in their own time
• Receive personalised practical instruction
• Progress at a pace that suits them
• Build genuine confidence before assessment
• Join a growing community of aspiring falconers

Both Dan and Cerys cannot wait to show you what we've been building.

📅 Launch Date: 1st August

Keep an eye on our page over the coming weeks as we'll be sharing sneak peeks, previews and more details about the new Falconry Course experience!

06/06/2026

We’ve been working on getting Whip the Barn Owl to hover!

Barn owls will naturally hover whilst hunting, they will be scanning the area below for any sound to pin point exactly where their prey is.

We are early days with this training, over time we will slowly extend the length of the hover before we reward her. So far, we are very pleased with Whip’s progress 😁

To see Whip, and even fly her yourself, visit the Mercer Falconry website to book an experience today!