Falconry Experience Wales

Falconry experience Wales join Wings Of Wales in the stunning Brecon Beacons, Wales, come join us for a falconry experience

Welcome to Wings Of Wales

About Us

Wings Of Wales was established in 2015 by conservation photographer and bird of prey handler Lewis Phillips. He has been working in conservation, educating the public and flying birds for over ten years. Lewis has worked alongside many different conservation trusts in Britain and other countries around the world. We aspire to teach people about real issues that affect birds of prey in the wild.  Join us for an unforgettable Falconry experience in Wales.

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mrspeck2014
mrspeck2014
2024-03-24
Fantastic! Worth every penny. This is a fantastic experience and would recommend to anyone. It is amazing to see and spend time with such fantastic birds within the most amazing landscape. Lewis’ knowledge and experience shines through. It’s not just a ‘show off’ type of experience, you learn so much including the conservation and persecution. The whole experience from start to finish is first class.
twoandtwo
twoandtwo
2023-10-27
Excellent Display On 26th October 2023 we visited Raglan Castle whilst on holiday. During our visit we were lucky enough to find that Wings for Wales had a Sea Eagle, Barn Owl and Saka Falcon flying display. The flying display was excellent and conducted from a conservation point of view rather than a falconry sport one which was very interesting and informative beautifully presented. The birds were also on static display which was useful as our family could ask questions about the birds, the adults and children were impressed by the size of the Sea Eagle. An excellent display, thank you.
bangsibear
bangsibear
2023-09-04
Unique experience. Do it! We had such a great half day experience with Lewis! We were a group of three adults and we all had a chance to fly five birds in three locations… a farm, hillside and cemetery. Lewis is a passionate conservationist, so we heard a lot about the issues of wildlife and land conservation. He cheerfully made room in his van for me when I asked to limit my walking.
Tom E
Tom E
2023-08-18
60th Birthday Fantastic Day out with Lewis and his Team of Birds. We met Lewis for a Coffee before heading out into the Beacons. Lewis is very knowledgable and was able to explain the history of the birds. He is very passionate and his love for his birds is evident. We had a great day flying the birds that he brought and his company was Superb. Massive Thanks to Wings of Wales
andrew e
andrew e
2023-08-18
Andrew’s 60th. Undertook the half day experience with Lewis on 17th August. The birds were stunning and we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to see them fly up close in a picturesque setting. Would highly recommend to anyone.
Andrew E
Andrew E
2023-08-18
60th birthday. Did the half day experience on 17th August 2023.. Thoroughly enjoyed the day with Lewis and the birds in picturesque surroundings. Would highly recommend a visit.
Kev R
Kev R
2023-07-20
Wings of Wales – Photographic Workshop Wings of Wales – Photographic Workshop Today (19 July 2023) nine members of Bridgend & District Camera club visited “Wings of Wales” which is based near Penderyn in Rhondda Cynon Taf. We were met at The Ty Newydd Country Hotel by conservation photographer, bird of prey handler, and owner Lewis Phillips who over a cup of tea/coffee explained the format of the morning’s activities, suitable lenses etc. We then set off to a wooded area where out of his van Lewis brought out “Willow” a Ural Owl. At that point Lewis explained how this area of woodland would be the type of area that this type of owl would live and hunt. During this part of the session Willow was placed in various locations for us to take our shots and for Lewis to advise to some members best camera settings, shooting positions and what to look for. We then moved on to an old church and graveyard for Lewis to show us “Bert” the Barn Owl and once again explained that this was a typical type of area for the Barn Owl as the overgrown graveyard contained a ready supply of food for the owl, and again the bird was placed in suitable areas for us to photograph. Then it was off to another location for Lewis to fly 3 of his larger birds. 1st up was “Rupert” a Gyr Saker Falcon. A lovely looking bird but the first thing to notice about this bird was the speed it flew, and the difficulty some of us had getting sharp in-flight images, so it was time for multiple high-speed shots which helped a lot. A description of its habitat and hunting methods was explained. 2nd up was “Twizzle” an African harrier hawk or gymnogene. This bird is a medium sized raptor not native to the UK but with a 4-5ft wingspan is a slow and graceful flyer making it easier for us photographers to capture it in flight. A lovely if unusual looking bird and once again, we were given a full run down on its usual habitat, its hunting style. 3rd and last came “Florence” a white-tailed eagle. A large raptor with a wingspan of approx. 6-8ft. Once again, we were taken to an area which was more suitable to this type of bird, i.e high up looking down on the surrounding area. Although Lewis managed to encourage Florence to fly a couple of times, the conditions were not ideal as the wind was blowing down the hill and as such not providing any lift for the bird to soar. That said it is such a large bird we all managed to get some great shots both in flight and on the ground. After that it was back to the hotel where we had booked ourselves into an excellent reasonably priced lunch. (not part of the Wings of Wales package). Everyone in our group remarked what an excellent experience this was and on behalf of us all would like to thank Lewis for his welcoming, friendly and enthusiastic attitude and I have no hesitation in recommending this type of outing to other Camera Clubs/Photographic Society’s Once again, thank you Kev Robertson Bridgend & District Camera Club
Kathryn S
Kathryn S
2023-07-06
Breathtaking Experience Suitable for All Fantastic day with lots of highlights. Lewis is a fountain of knowledge and adapted the day to suit our varied mobility needs. Breathtaking experience for all ages.
John Henry N
John Henry N
2023-06-18
What something really special? This is a very unique experience, both the make up of the 'team' (they have feathers and look equally beautiful and scary) and the expertise and natural friendliness that oozes from Lewis; who runs the show. An absolutely brilliant day in a lovely setting. The highlight for me - and there were many - was meeting Harry; an enormous and endangered Vulture. Leave the preconceptions behind. This is a wonderful animal. She is quick on her pins and when she takes to the skies....breathtaking. I'm going to do this again for certain.
Getaway520382
Getaway520382
2023-05-28
Fantastic Day Fantastic experience. Will always remember walking in a field as part of the pack with Tracey the Harris Hawk. Lewis was great and incredibly passionate about his extended family and the Brecon Beacons national park.

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Falconry experience in Wales

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Only
£345

Ultimate Eagle & Vulture Day

 Florence the White Tail plays a large role in public engagement and education, also as an ambassador towards the reintroduction of the species back into Wales.

As the UK,s Largest bird of prey they are very impressive with an 8ft wingspan.

Join us for an unforgettable Falconry experience in Wales.

bird of prey experience

Only
£195

Half Day Experience

This is our most popular experience and one that people really love. We meet at the Ty Newyedd Country Hotel for a hot drink before heading to the farm.

At the farm you will have a short introduction to the experience, this will look at husbandry, weight management and diet.

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Only
£295

Family Experience Day

Florence the White Tail plays a large role in public engagement and education, also as an ambassador towards the reintroduction of the species back into Wales.

As the UK,s Largest bird of prey they are very impressive with an 8ft wingspan.

Falconry experience in Wales

Outdoor Experience Specialist of the year award

The award was presented to us from the Corporate Livewire Wales Prestige Awards who recognise small and medium-sized businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past 12 months.  Join us for an unforgettable Falconry experience in Wales.

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Education

A History Of Falconry

Falconry is recognised by UNESCO for it embodies precise aspects of world cultural heritage and as such should be safeguarded for future generations. The term “Falconry” has the following meaning – The taking of wild quarry in its natural surroundings by trained Hawks. The origins of this noble pastime can be traced back as far as BC to what is now central Iran its wely believed that Falconry originated in the far east records exist from China in BC showing Falcons being given as gifts.

The great Khan as documented in the travels of Marco Polo was known to house many hundreds of Hawks Falcons and Eagles and his hunting retinue comprised of over a thousand men. Falconry entered Europe byway of trade along the Silk Road and by the conquest and wars of the various horse tribes that crossed the steppe in search of plunder Genghis Khan and his Mongol hordes favoured the flight of the Golden Eagle the Goths and Gaul’s were known to practice falconry and this is known from the writings of the Romans during the invasion of northern Europe the peoples we now collectively call Vikings were great traders in Hawks and travelled across the Mediterranean to trade Gyr Falcons with the Arab tribes there are no records of the Celts in Britain practising the sport but Saxon and Viking invasions brought Falconry to our Isles .

Falconry flourished both as a prover of meat for the table and a noble pastime for the landed gentry King Alfred the Great hough besieged by Danes and internal strife still found time to compile a manuscript of Falconry. Prior to and the Norman Invasion Harold visited William in Normandy and they went Hawking together and this is shown in the Bayern Tapestry. The Plantagenet Kings all were follows of the sport and Richard Lionheart took Falconers with him during the suprdsupCrusade to the Holy Land.

In probably the most notable book ever written on Falconry was completed by Frederick who was King of Sicily Holy Roman Emperor and King of Jerusalem this book is still used as a point of reference today. Falconry flourished through the Tudor period with harsh penies imposed on anyone who should harm or steal a Hawk or Falcon as they were deemed to be the property of the king with the development of firearms during the reign of the Stuarts and the subsequent civil war Falconry declined and all Birds of Prey suffered as a result of the upsurge is firearm development and game shooting it was not until the early ’s that Falconry once again started claim its place as the most noble of field sports.

Today falconry is practised throughout the world with great weh and investments in captive breeding and conservation of quarry species being championed by the Gulf States the North American Peregrine nearly brought to extinction by the use of pestices has totally recovered due to the efforts of skilled and dedicated Falconers the advances in captive breeding has brought many species within the scope of the ordinary man todays challenges centre mainly on finding wild places to fly our charges. Falconry faces many challenges both from within due to poor practice lack of training and conservationists who lack understanding in our passion but Falconry will survive it is man’s ultimate with his hunting past and the love of wild creatures .