In the 1950s and '60s modern agriculture, with the widespread use of toxic chemicals, caused untold damage to the native raptor population. At the same time, due to their rarity, unscrupulous egg collectors added to the problem. In the last few decades, however, falconers and conservationists have worked together to lobby for improved legislation and greater awareness. Today, birds of prey are thriving in the United Kingdom and domestic breeding programmes are proving most successful. It is essentially a solitary and time-consuming pastime, with the training and managing of a bird of prey requiring skill and dedication.
Falconers have to plan their social and working lives around their sport.
When hunting, the quarry is either killed by the hawk as it would be in the wild, or it escapes unharmed. To this end, few head are taken on a hunting trip and the falconer will often return home empty handed. Falcons Peregrines and similar birds can only be flown successfully in wide open spaces like grouse moors. It will then stand stock still whilst the falconer releases the bird. When the quarry is flushed, the falcon 'stoops' at speeds estimated at 130mph and strikes the fleeing bird with its talons.