Steel birds flew overhead before the live ones stole the show. Ducks scarpered and we knew the kings and queens of the sky were near. Human eyes turned upwards, eagerly waiting. A swan in all its majestic glory flew by and received a clap. But the stars of this open sky, orchestrated to perfection, were quite simply awesome as they zoomed in low, causing heads to duck and mouths to utter oohhs and ahhs in unison.
A beautiful heart-shaped barn owl which appeared to float in from nowhere, marked the start of The Falconer’s Quest, a highly creative and engaging avian adventure, the latest spectacle at Warwick Castle. Set on the banks of the River Avon, it is billed as the biggest birds of prey show in the UK and it is a show unlike any other. Three years ago, my twins, parents and I watched these birds in the castle’s previous show. It was spectacular then, but this fresh approach, using a strong narrative to weave the aerial dynamics together in the form a young falconer seeking out the finest birds in the land, is extremely clever, innovative and truly spectacular. To watch hawks, eagles, giant bone-eating vultures, red kits and a peregrine falcon fly on cue made the story come alive whilst providing a fresh appreciation of these majestic creatures. To see and hear an Andean Condor, with its wingspan of 10ft, zoom past one’s ear, was thrilling.
It was the proximity of these birds along with the interesting facts about them that made it such an enthralling educational experience. It also highlighted the commitment of the castle in its bid to protect some of the world’s rarest breeds from extinction by working with other conservation charities. There is nothing like learning about something magnificent that is there in front of you when it does what it does best – lording the skies.
Denne historien er fra September 2019-utgaven av Cotswold Life.
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Denne historien er fra September 2019-utgaven av Cotswold Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Gloucestershire After The War
Discovering the county’s Arts and Crafts memorials of the First World War
THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh
The days are getting shorter but there’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful, says Sue Bradley, who discovers how a Cotswolds town is becoming more wildlife-friendly and pots up some bulbs for an insect-friendly spring display
Mr Ashbee would approve
In the true spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement, creativity has kept the Chipping Campden community ticking over during lockdown
The Cotswolds at war
These might be peaceful hills and vales, but our contribution to the war effort was considerable
Trust in good, local food
‘I’ve been following The Country Food Trust’s activities with admiration since it was founded’
Why Cath is an open book
Cath Kidston has opened up almost every nook and cranny of her Cotswold idyll in a new book, A Place Called Home. Katie Jarvis spoke to Cath ahead of her appearance at this year’s Stroud Book Festival STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL – THIS YEAR FREE AND ONLINE: NOVEMBER 4-8
From the Cotswolds to the world
Most people know that the Cotswolds have featured in a fair few Hollywood movies and TV series.
The Wild Hunt
In search of the legendary King Herla in the Malvern Hills
Fighting spirit amid the flowers
Tracy Spiers visits Warwick, a beautiful town that is open for business and ready to welcome visitors
Final journey
Cheltenham author and volunteer on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), Nicolas Wheatley, recounts the fascinating story of funeral trains