23/07/2018 Watching some falconry in the grounds of la Rochefoucauld Chateau.

Maximum temperature today 30C, minimum 15C.  Dry; 11 km/h North-easterly winds with up to 29 km/h gusts.

The castles humble beginning dates back to year 980, from a wooden camp that was built by Foucauld on a rocky spur. The word ‘rock’, in fact, translates to ‘Roche’ in French. A square keep was then constructed by his son at the same site in the 11th century.

To celebrate the end of the Hundred Years’ War in 1453 and to demonstrate his political power as the Lord of the region, Jean de La Rochefoucauld built three additional towers to the structure and raised the level of the main tower of the castle, thus, enabling him to oversee his domain at greater heights. The last major modification to the overall structure of the castle was done in 1760 with the construction of the West Wing.

The Rochefoucauld family have owned and lived in the chateau for over 1000 years.  It is possible to view the chateau all except the wing where the family still live.

You can see they have reverted to the old name here. La Roche à Foucauld -The rock at Foucauld.

There was a lot of events going on but my only interest was the falconry.  I have more photos than usual but I did not want to split up the post.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) from North America- just look at those eyes!!...

as above...

as above...

and in flight.

The commentary was all in French so it was not easy to follow, but they said this was a barn owl.  It looked too small to me but it is certainly from the same family.  Also, I did not know which country the birds had come from; my books only cover South Africa and Europe!  Any help here please David and more below?

As above...

As above...

As above.

This bird I did recognise as it is a Giant eagle-owl (Bubo lacteus). Africa’s largest eagle-owl.  It was quite noisy calling often, but they did not fly it while we were there.

I believe this to be a Harris's Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) that came from America...

As above with the falconer.

Even I could not mistake this bird, the Kookaburra from Australia (Dacelo novaeguineae).  I must say it is the first time I have seen one flown in a falconry exhibition...

As above.

I think this might be a White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus). It is only two years old.

As above with the falconer...

As above - close up.

This might be a Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)...

As above with the falconer.  The birds were flying back and forth between the two falconers...

As above...

and finally a close up of the head of the above bird.

N.B. My bird blog is updated  HERE 

Part 17 of the birds seen in Africa.