Jamie’s Ayrshire flying squad

Aug 8 2008 by Edwin Lawrence

THE SKY’S the limit for Jamie Dempsey as his career in falconry soars.

Jamie, 28, has made his Turnberry Falconry a centre of excellence.

And he looks set for a high-flying future now that Turnberry Hotel has Dubai-based owners.

Falconry – using birds of prey to hunt – originated in the Arab world centuries ago.

But Jamie uses his 20-plus birds for displays, education – and even weddings.

They’re all one big family, with the birds seeing Jamie as their father and mother figure.

So how did a golf course greenkeeper get to be an expert falconer?

Especially after losing the bottom half of his left leg, when he was the victim of a drunk driver.

“It must be in my blood,” said Jamie.

“My dad was head gamekeeper at Culzean, and he saved a buzzard from an abandoned nest.”

“I was a wee boy, and he told me to stay away from the buzzard.

“But I had to get a closer look – and it went for me with its claws.”

That didn’t put Jamie off, and his fascination only grew.

So he grabbed the chance to join the team at Turnbery’s outdoor activities centre.

Boss Gerry Lapsley recognised Jamie’s talent, and let him develop the falconry business.

Jamie has certainly done that, adding eagle owls and falcons to the kestrels and hawks that were there.

He has names for them all, and they are flown virtually every day, to keep them in perfect condition.

“They live much longer in captivity than they would in the wild,” he said.

“I’ll have them for the rest of their lives – some for maybe 40 years.”

Jamie keeps his flock stimulated, even when they’re in for the night.

“I put on the radio for them, and they like nature programmes on TV,” he said.

But these are no conventional pets, Jamie is careful to point out.

“When you see a bird of prey flying in the wild, it’s looking for food.

“These birds are raptors – they kill to eat.”

By contrast, Jamie’s birds are given rewards for what he trains them to do.

This includes carrying wedding rings in a silk pouch to the altar.

Or putting on after-dinner displays at corporate events.

But he’s just as happy putting on a show for schoolkids.

“We had Barr Primary kids here not long ago, and they were great,” he said.

“They asked really intelligent questions, and they really enjoyed themselves.”

Jamie and his birds will be a star attraction at Maidens Harbour Gala on Saturday, August 16.

And he and his feathered friends look set for super stardom in display falconry.