Entry from the front page of the notebook
We believe the birds set the pace, and the rest of us follow
These are the ideas we return to when a day gets busy: look closely, record honestly, and never hurry an animal that cannot tell us it is uncomfortable.
Back to the welcome page
Our foundation
Raptors are not pets and they are not performers. They are wild-descended animals that happen to live alongside people when they are cared for well. That single thought sits underneath everything we do.
From it follow a few quiet commitments: respect for each bird as an individual, honesty about what we know and do not know, and a willingness to go slowly. We do not think these values are unusual. We simply try to keep to them on the difficult days as well as the easy ones.
Philosophy and vision
We imagine a landscape where private estates, gardens and mews are good places for birds, and where people who share space with them understand them a little better each season. That is a modest vision, built one visit and one species list at a time.
Change, in our experience, comes from attention rather than instruction. When people see what a barn owl does at dusk, or notice how a hawk's weight shifts across a week, they start to care in practical ways without being told to.
Harris's hawk · about 1.0–1.2 m
Core beliefs
Four beliefs, in no particular order. Open any of them for the reasoning behind it.
Welfare is the starting point, not a feature
A bird that is weighed, watched and given room to rest behaves more naturally and is easier to understand. Every other aim, whether education or consultation, depends on that.
Captive-bred birds only
We choose to work only with captive-bred raptors. It reflects how we want to take part in this field and keeps our practice clear of questions we would rather not have to answer.
Looking carefully beats looking quickly
Most of what we know about birds came from sitting still long enough for them to forget us. We pass that habit on to our guests.
Knowledge should be shared plainly
Jargon puts people off. We explain the rules, the reasons and the trade-offs in everyday language, and write them down.
Principles in practice
Beliefs only matter if you can see them in the work. Here is where each one shows up.
- A daily weigh-in and written log for every bird.
- Encounter groups capped at six guests.
- Sessions paused in heavy rain or strong heat, and rescheduled at no charge.
- Written recommendations after consultations, followed by a call a month later.
A human-centered approach
Guests are individuals too. Some want to hold a bird, others would rather watch. Some arrive with children, some with years of experience and a few unanswered questions. We reply to every enquiry personally and ask what you hope for rather than assuming.
Innovation through intention
Falconry is old, and much of its wisdom is worth keeping. We change things only when we have a reason: a perch surface that is kinder to feet, a record sheet that is easier to keep, a survey method that makes comparison between seasons simpler. New ideas earn their place by helping the birds first.
Integrity and transparency
We tell you what we can and cannot do. We say so when something falls outside our expertise, and refer medical concerns to experienced avian veterinarians. We explain the registration and permission requirements that apply to keeping raptors in Japan and never suggest they can be skipped. Our prices are listed openly, and our care logs are real.
Community and collaboration
Birds do not belong to any one landowner. Estates, gardens, falconers, vets and neighbors all shape the same landscape. We try to be a good neighbor within it, sharing what we learn and sending people to better-placed specialists when that serves them.
Long-term thinking
A single good day matters less than habits that last. Nest boxes stay up through winters. A weigh-in routine continues long after we leave. We encourage repeat visits across seasons, because a picture of birds on your land grows more truthful with time.
What this means for you
You can expect a calm visit, a personal reply within two working days, plain explanations and notes to take home. You can expect us to say no, or to wait, if the birds need that. And you can expect to be treated as someone capable of learning, whatever your starting point.
If this sounds like your kind of place
We would be glad to hear what brought you here. Send a short note whenever you like, and we will answer it ourselves.
Say hello