When New Doesn't Necessarily Mean Better

Kites, drones, sky trials… what have these techniques got to do with training falcons? GRAHAM WELLSTEAD explains all

- Graham Wellstead

FALCONRY

I HAVE had one experience of flying a kite. The circumstances did not involve a falcon at that point, although it was the plan. I borrowed a large kite, some 2.4m (8ft) across, together with a hose reel that had a great deal of draylon line.

The instructions were to very firmly fix the hose reel to the ground with large spikes provided, before attaching the kite to the line. This I did and my daughter, who was with me, was instructed to release the break when I held the kite up into the wind. I had my doubts that it would fly in the relatively light wind, but as I opened my hand it took off with a roaring whoosh and raced into the sky. I turned back to my daughter who had jumped away before the rewind handle, now a distant blur, damaged her.

I did not know if the line was tied securely, but by the time I nearly reached the reel, almost all the line had paid out. I slammed on the brake and looked up to see the kite directly overhead like a postage stamp. I also saw a light aircraft passing at what appeared to be a much lower level. Using strong gloves I began to walk across the field, hauling the line in while my daughter wound up the slack. The kite eventually came down, but I was nearly three fields away before I floored it.