Here are just some of the comments posted and kindly sent by visitors.
Just wanted to say thankyou for the brilliant day we spent at the centre on Friday 11th June 2010. We did the full day course and enjoyed every minute of it! We learnt so much about the birds whilst having a really good time. We also enjoyed seeing the displays, as we felt we knew a bit more about the birds than before. A special thankyou to David and Kieran who both made us feel really welcome - plus we had a good laugh! It was just a shame when we had to come home! We would definitely recommend a visit to anyone and we will be back to visit in the autumn.
We have attached a couple of photos which we think you might like.
Donna and Andrew Staton.
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Dear all,
I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you so much for an absolutely amazing day. I bought the full day experience for my boyfriend for his birthday, but when we got there I was so jealous that I joined in too! The falconers were incredibly knowledgeable and has so many interesting things to tell us about the birds. Keiren was brilliant, had loads to say and clearly adores the birds. It was amazing to be able to get so close to such amazing creatures and I loved every minute of the day. Thank you so much, and keep up the fabulous work you do.
Ive attached some photo’s which I took, in case you want to use them
Best Wishes,
Sally (13th December 2010)
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I just wanted to say THANKYOU!
My family and I visited your centre yesterday and had an amazing time.
Your staff were fabulous. Really knowledgable and so friendly to absolutely everyone.
The birds are the best I have seen in captivity and the fact that the Buzzard comes back daily speaks volumes.
I have some amazing photographs, ones I will make into prints to display in my house and that is thanks to your staff, they could see people were keen to take pictures and so they staged it so the birds landed right infront of us.
I cannot put into words how impressed I am, but know that I will never be able to pass your centre without popping in for a visit.
Thank you once again and please pass on my thanks to all your staff.
If you would like any of the photos, I would be happy to send them.
Joanne Sykes x
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Hello,
Just a short e mail to express my thanks for an excellent day out. I attended today with my son and a friend, and we were all very impressed with the Professional but pleasant and knowledgeable manner of the lads who spoke about, and flew the birds. I found the acrobatic display of your Saker Falcon Willow awe inspiring, and the lad who flew her said she was having a bad day !!
We will be back.
Thankyou,
Richard, Guiseley, West Yorkshire.
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Dear Sirs,
My partner Ray & I travelled from Lancaster today to visit the falconry centre. This is just a line to say thank you for a wonderful time while we were with you. We arrived about 10.45 & so enjoyed strolling around the birds - which were absolutley fantastic - such a variety & obviously cared for so well - loved Vera - who as your member of staff said - only a mother could love her. We stayed for the 12 noon display & the gentleman who was displaying the birds was very personable, knowledgeable about the birds & obviously had a rapport with them. To put the glove on & have a Kestrel perch on it & take food was magical - though so was having "Batty" swoop in & nearly part our hair ! I will certainly be spreading the word about your centre & the wonderful time one can have there.
Regards
Christine Gowing
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Hi,
I just had to say thanks again for letting me hold 'Charlie Harris' (hawk). I was one of the three bikers who visited Sat 19th Sept for the last display. It was lovely to see all the big birds and hear you and your friend telling us all about them and how you both raised some from eggs, what a magical experience that must be. Good luck with Charlie, we will have to visit again sometime to check up on him. Take care,
Liz and David Harris and Julian.
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Doug-
I just returned back to Minnesota after a two week stay with Tony Warburton. Thank you so much for taking the time to show us around your centre and answer my questions. I was very impressed with what you do there and the quality of your facilities and staff. And of course your enthusiasm! I was able to visit several other owl and falconry centres while in England, and it was a tremendous opportunity for me to get ideas for the owl centre I'm planning to create here in Minnesota.
I appreciate your time and hospitality, and best wishes for the future!
Karla
Karla Kinstler
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Dear Falconry Centre Staff,
I would just like to thank you all for the time you gave to the young people I brought on Saturday from Calderdale Junior Gateway Club. All of the young people were very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I really appeciate the extra lengths you all went to to ensure that the poor weather didn't spoil our visit.
I look forward to bringing groups again in the future.
Many thanks, once again
Jonathan Armitage
Senior Leader
Calderdale Junior Gateway Club
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Dear Falconers,
Many thanks for a marvellous if short visit on Monday. Looking forward to return for a longer time in the future. I thought you may like to see these snaps.
Many thanks
Bernard
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I went to the falconry centre while holidaying in the area, our group of 7 ranged in age from 11 and 12 year old girls to Nan and everyone had a brilliant time. We arrived around 11.50 am just in time to catch the first of the three displays of the day. The two guys who took the display were very good and obviously very passionate about what they were doing. They seemed to really enjoy telling the crowd about the birds they were flying that day. There was just enough information about the birds and some of the antics they have got up to. I have been to many falconry displays and this was one of the best I have seen, as they really involve the audience getting the birds to fly over them so you could really get the feel of them flying and their size. They were also brilliant with the kids in the crowd, and during the displays they brought out some barn owls [barney 1 and barney 2] for the kids to have a go at flying back and forward to each other. It was never rushed and all the kids got to have a go in at least one of the 3 displays. The displays are set up approx. 1 1/2 hrs between each which worked out really well as it gives you a chance to look around the other birds they have or take a coffee in the tea rooms or outside overlooking the amazing views of the dales. The two falconers are on hand between the displays to answer questions about the birds and the centre. Most of the people who were at the first display at 12 were at the final display, so it must have been entertaining.
To sum up, a great day out for all ages from toddler to pensioner, and great value for money [which also goes to help put birds back into the wild]. Thanks guys we had a great day.
Neil and laura.
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Found the Falconry Centre by accident, and as we were stying nearby I decided I would suprise my girlfriend and pay for us both to do the half day Falconry course.
Wow!!!!! the whole morning kept us both grinning from ear to ear!! We were taken around by a very profesional member of staff (who was also a really good laugh!) .
We were very quickly put at ease and were soon flying a Harris Hawk between us from one corner of the grass arena to the other, and the feeling of having this bird of prey land on your hand and feed right infront of you is incredible! We then went on to fly a Barn Owl and after one of the centres daily shows (which was also brilliant and got kids involved handling and flying the Barn Owl), we got to fly Gonzo the Vulture!!!! So much fun and worth every penny, as these guys are obviously in it for the welfare of the birds and not out to just make money off tourists!
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We would like to thank everybody who has taken the time to send all the much appreciated comments.
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Best Wishes
from all the staff and birds at The Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre