Yorkshire school children celebrate World Falconry Day

Pupils from Oakbank School in Keighley celebrated World Falconry Day with a visit from Sandra and Chris Johnson of SMJ Falconry and three of their birds.

Twenty-three youngsters from year 11 got to meet Oslo the Harris hawk, Geoff the peregrine falcon and Bubbles the tropical screech owl during the event, run by Falconry for Schools on 20 November.

Sandra said: "We explained the history of falconry, from how it started to what we do today and our equipment. They learnt the differences between hawks, falcons and owls and then we flew Oslo in the classroom. We are coming back to the school again next week so I'm hoping for better weather so we can take them outdoors. The children seemed to really enjoy meeting the birds. In fact a girl had seen one of our displays before and has asked if I can bring Murphy our Merlin falcon in as well next time."

Head of science Lindsay Black set up the day. She said: "The children were totally enraptured by the birds, particularly Bubbles the owl. It was a thrilling experience for them and something very different from their normal lessons."

Falconry for Schools is a project run by the Countryside Alliance Foundation that takes birds of prey into primary and senior schools as part of lessons that encompass history, science and technology, English and mathematics, whilst encouraging knowledge and understanding of the natural world.