IN ABERGAVENNY ever year hundreds of visitors are flocking to a bird of prey sanctuary to witness the ‘sport of kings’.

On a seven-acre site neighbouring Abergavenny's Wernddu Golf Course, the Black Mountains Falconry is home to 32 birds, including Harris hawks, Sakerlanner falcons, and even an eagle called Rupert who has been trained to fly alongside a paraglider.

Specialising in falconry, the hunting of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey, the centre has been open for 11 years.

The sport’s renewed popularity in Wales follows a British trend with around 5,000 people hunting and 14,000 keeping and breeding across the UK.

Harris Hawks once cost close to £20,000 in the 1980s, but now priced at under £600, they have made the pursuit much more affordable.

The sport of falconry originated in China around 2000BC and gradually spread westwards.

Unlike other field sports like hunting, it is spectacle centred with falcons being the fastest creatures on earth - timed at speeds of up to 220mph in dive.

They prey exclusively on other birds that they catch in flight, soaring above them, 'stooping' at high speed, and striking a fatal blow with their hind talon.

With a great variety of hawks, vultures, falcons and owls, the Black Mountains Falconry is also the only falconry display team in Europe to fly red kites “away from home”.

Originally, the centre’s owners, Roger James, 67, from Mountain Ash alongside his wife, June, from Blaenavon, got the three chicks from Germany around 10 years ago.

They have since taught these impressive birds to accompany tandem paragliders on flights across the Black Mountains.

They hit on the idea with the help of falconer and paraglider Martin Cray. Dr Tim Guilford, a professional in animal behaviour at Oxford University and a trained paragliding tandem pilot, even helped the James’ prepare the birds.

The result was a BBC2 Wales programme entitled High As A Kite, which saw naturalist presenter Iolo Williams flying with the birds

With this high-profile coverage, and such a mix of precious birds of prey, perhaps it is little surprise to note that the centre is insured for a whopping £10 million and has thrived since opening in April 2004.

The James’ previously managed the Welsh Hawking Centre near Barry for four years. Following their spell in the Vale of Glamorgan, they travelled across Britain putting on falconry displays, including the Usk show, before settling in Abergavenny 11 years ago.

Mr James, who is the chairman of the Welsh Hawking Club, said: “As a youngster I originally started off with a sparrow hawk, which is the most difficult to treat and keep healthy.

“Yet, somehow, it caught my uncle’s racing pigeons and the bug had set in.

“The rest is history and while it might not be for everyone, there’s very little hassle involved and it’s the most acceptable face of field sports and it’s very fair.

“It’s something that happens in the wild anyway and we’re just spectators. If the bird catches one of its prey out of seven flights it’s considered lucky.

“The flight is exciting without the end product anyway. It’s just like hunting where you go out shooting and fill a bag. You can have a good day without catching anything.

“A lot of people at the centre don’t just come to train or look after the birds. They can learn a lot about the birds by just joining in as spectators.”

Among those to have spoken highly of the pursuit is David Sharman, 44, who undertook a falconry course at the centre in 2008.

At the time, Mr Sharman was a relative newcomer to falconry but hoped to obtain the prestigious Lantra qualification, which hawking clubs often require for members to join.

Mr Sharman said: “I was a little bit scared at first. You’ve got to be careful with any animal and birds of prey are no different.

“But it was all about familiarising yourself with the birds. They’re more scared of you, really, and the centre helps you realise this.

“It’s a natural world: you can’t force a bird of prey to do anything. You’re building a relationship for the bird to do what it actually wants to do in the wild.

“I’ve never looked back since doing it and I know it would have been at the back of my mind for many years had I not done the course.

“Since becoming involved I’ve even become treasurer of the Welsh Hawking Club. I’ve not looked back.”

As well as the course, the centre offers a range of other family friendly activities, including archery days and experience days.

Yet the birds always remain the central attraction and visitors have been known to have birthdays, stag dos, and even wedding photos taken at the centre.

The reason for this is the timeless benefits of the pursuit, which have never been more relevant than in this technological age.

Of these benefits, Mr James said: “You learn from fellow members, whether it’s a local down the road or someone from Michigan, and you extend your knowledge as a springboard to learn even more.

“You’re not restricted by 9 to 5 and can still enjoy it at the weekend and I think that’s the main draw when you’re bogged down in front of a computer for so many hours a week.

“It’s a natural partnership with the bird and you can’t train a bird of prey like a dog or horse. It has a little bit of independence.

“Children cuddle them when we visit schools and we know they won’t hurt anyone. A dog could just as easily bite you and they will only lash out in fear.

“We’ve never had problem with birds in all our years and even as something of a high risk activity, we consider this a centre that can really educate people.”

For more information on the Black Mountain Falconry centre call 078 66403388 or visit http://www.blackmountainsfalconry.co.uk/BMF/Home.html.