ASBO

There are times of the year that I really look forward to flying birds for large numbers of visitors - the days when it's 'standing room only' at the shows really adds something to the atmosphere of a demonstration and it's often when we get the best reaction from audiences. Monday was one such day and, it has to be said, it is absolutely exhausting trying to organise so many people to stay still and seated throughout and make sure that everyone (and every bird!) is safe. We managed it - I'm not sure how many we had at the demonstrations but it was rather a lot. Coupled with the police dog training unit down on the lawn and the Frozen sisters from the actual Disney film excitement levels were high from the start of the CFM 'Cash for Kids' day. The birds flew outstandingly well and they never cease to amaze me. With all that was going on elsewhere in the gardens they all did a fantastic job for us and we're very proud of them all. Nutmeg the Lanner got some nice height, which he has been regularly doing this last week, and the Herriot was awesome as always.

Rebecca with Herriot

We've got a little more help now too - Dawn managed to get talking to Rebecca, who has recently moved to
West Cumbria from a much warmer part of the world in the States, and gave her the nudge to come along and volunteer. Rebecca has been with us for a week or so now and it's fair to say that she's really been thrown in at the deep end with stewarding shows for us. It's never easy to man the show as some people don't like playing by the rules of 'sit still', 'don't just stand up randomly when an eagle is flying' or 'keep children under control!', so all our volunteers and staff that do this job are doing a great job. We also have a veterinary student here on work experience this week which offers us a little more help and every little really does help! I think he's painting the owl tea room as i type this - perhaps not the best experience for his vocation but it's all part of the job!

Bob with a hooded Nutmeg

My good friend Bob Brind-Surch, who runs a wildlife photography business, Natures Photos, came up to visit me from Northamptonshire last week too. Bob is an excellent naturalist and has a real passion for wildlife from all around the globe. Having spent a chunk of his life following some of the country's great falconers and flying birds himself in the past he has a great knowledge of how to photograph birds of prey in natural settings and understands the needs of the birds which many photographers often don't. I worked with Bob on raptor  workshops at Holdenby in Northants before the move to Muncaster so it was good to see someone from home. This was especially true as it was with the view to running some exciting new sessions here based around the stunning locations we have at Muncaster around the gardens and surrounding estate and the birds we work with in the centre.

Ash is growing fast and training well

Numbers are looking good for our special event for Friends of Muncaster. We haven't asked for everyone to tell us if they're coming but it will help us to know how many packets of chocolate biscuits etc we need to buy! Let's hope all goes well and that the event is a success - I'm praying for good weather.