TWO valuable birds of prey have been stolen from a Cheshire Falconry in a night time raid.
Harris hawks Lemon and Ade, valued at £500, were taken from Cheshire Farm Falconry, Tattenhall, on Sunday January 6.
Owner James Hill, 22, said: “Basically one of the aviaries we have, a mews, which we keep the five flying birds in was broken into. They’ve taken the two hawks, probably for hunting.
“They’ve cut, using bolt cutters or something like that, into the pen. The birds are tethered so they can’t fly away so they haven’t had to run around or anything. The birds wouldn’t have put up much of a struggle, they probably jumped up on to a glove.
“The most gutting thing is the hard work we have put into them. One was an adult which has had nine years’ work. He could do anything, it’s going to take five years for me to build another up like that.”
The falconry centre, based at the Cheshire Ice Cream Farm, has been open for two-and-a half-years and houses more than 25 birds, including owls, falcons and vultures.
James added: “The centre was built up by myself, everything, all the aviaries, so when things like this happen it gets to you.
“It’s a massive worry for us now. We are going to have to splash out quite a bit of money on security.
“We run experience days and the two hawks are quite an integral part of it. We had a woman phone up who wanted to do a hawk walk but we had to turn her away. They are very important to the business.”
The large birds of prey, which have a one metre wing span, have dark brown plumage and a distinctive white tip on the base of the tail feathers.
“The Harris hawks are very popular in this country for falconry. They are easy to get along with and their prey is rabbits, which we have an abundance of,” said James.
Anyone with any information ring James on 07878 398 599.
