Hawking in Wales is primarily a research facility for Oxford University's zoology department. Over the summer months we fly (and fly with) the birds to measure various aspects of their flight. In the winter the weather is rarely suitable for the instruments we need for the research so we switch to hunting with them. Hunting is obviously a bird of prey's natural occupation, so mentally it keeps them stimulated and in turn this makes them more content and easier to manage. It also gets them very fit, much fitter than simply asking them to fly for food. It is in this winter hunting period (September to February) that we can offer you the opportunity to experience the wonderful partnership of man and bird working together. {br}