A WOMAN with a ‘passion for birds of prey’ plans to open the first falconry school in Dorset.

Since gaining her raptor awards assessor qualification, Bobbie King, 22, has become the first and only person in Dorset to be qualified to teach falconry.

Bobbie ‘fell in love’ with these birds after volunteering at a falconry business when she was 16.

Since then, her enthusiasm for keeping and training birds of prey has grown, and she currently owns 17, including a barn owl, harris’s hawk, kestrels, Falcons and sakers.

Bobbie said: “Since getting my raptor qualification I will be able to teach people to a really high standard how to handle birds of prey, look after them train then and of course fly them.

“Not many people often get the opportunity to see the up close, so being able to do that is amazing.”

With the qualification, Bobbie plans to open a falconry school at a farm in Wimborne.

At the school, she wants to teach people how to care for and train birds.

Bobbie said: “In the UK, you don’t need a licence to go out and by a bird of prey, which is a real shame.

“Lots of people do go out and buy them without realising how much experience and knowledge is needed to care for them.

“So, it's really important to be able to deliver these courses in an area where they aren’t readily available.”

In the summer, Bobbie and her team at The Falcons Crest attend bird shows at locations around Dorset.

Bobbie also volunteers at nursing homes, where she introduces her birds to care home residents.

She said: “When I first started falconry, I was doing my exams; being with the birds just sort of took some of the stress away. I find it very relaxing.

“When I visit the care homes, I see a similar thing. Just being able to see and touch them really helps the mental health of the residents.”

Due to the fact you don’t need a licence to purchase birds of prey, people often become overwhelmed with the care needed to keep them. Therefore, Bobbie takes in captive rescues.