Birds of prey swoop in for a flying visit

8:20am Monday 13th August 2007

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AUDIENCES were treated to a display of aerobatics when birds of prey swooped in for a flying visit.

Gasps went up when a Lanner falcon caught its prey in mid-air after circling for the kill in a spectacular display at Top Barn Farm and Business Centre, near Holt Heath, on Saturday.

Other stars of the show included barn owl Monty, a Harris hawk called Speed and a European eagle owl named Falstaff.

The display was led by Richard Wall, aged 42, of Heart of England Raptors, and his 16-year-old son Sam, who are visiting Top Barn Farm for the fourth year.

Mr Wall, who is based at Hatton Country World in Warwick, said: "The birds are free spirits. In mediaeval times if you were caught with one of these birds you could get your hands cut off if you were not of high enough status to own one. Things have changed a bit since then."