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Annual Field Meet and Banquet
London, Ontario
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Field Meet Photos
2007 Meet Highlights |
This year's field meet was the best one yet! There were good numbers of rabbits and ducks, and everyone got to see some great hawking. One highlight was on Saturday morning, when a large group of about 40 people went to watch 2 falcons fly on a duck pond near the hotel. It was quite a sight to see both sides of the road near the pond lined with kneeling falconers awaiting the right moment to flush!
The banquet was also our best turnout ever, with 69 people in attendance. The food was delicious and our guest speaker Bill Heinrich gave a fascinating presentation on the work being done by the Peregrine Fund with all kinds of raptors around the world since the recovery of the Peregrine Falcon. The raffle was "over the top" this year. Prizes donated by members included a 2008 peregrine or gyrkin and several block and bow perches as well as many other items.
Again, thanks to everyone who made the trip, helped at the meet, and donated raffle prizes. A more detailed write-up will appear in the next Imprint. For those of you who didn't come - you missed a really good time!
Every falconer is familiar with the Peregrine Fund. Their leading role in the development of captive
breeding techniques and the dramatic recovery of the Peregrine Falcon in North America is well known.
Though certainly impressive, their accomplishments did not end there. In fact the Peregrine Fund has grown
to become a world leader in raptor conservation with projects in every
corner of the globe.
Bill Heinrich is a native of Colorado where his interest in raptors developed through falconry. He has actively worked with birds of prey for 38 years. His professional career began in 1975 when he worked as a seasonal raptor biologist for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. In 1976 he began working full time for The Peregrine Fund, finished his college education, and became responsible for the organization's Peregrine Falcon, Aplomado Falcon, and California Condor release programs. Through the years he was personally responsible for hiring over 800 seasonal employees. In addition to managing the release programs throughout the Western United States Mr. Heinrich has studied raptors internationally in nine countries including Bahrain, Mexico, Colombia, Greenland, Guatemala, Italy, Panama, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.
We were very fortunate that Mr. Heinrich was able to attend our meet to share his insights on some of the greatest successes and challenges facing raptor conservation around the world.