Titus and Thor, 2-year-old male Harris hawks, on their perches in the weathering yard at Topaz Lodge on Thursday. The birds will be in the yard between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. today. Nearly 200 falconers from around the country are gathering at the Topaz Lodge to compete today and Saturday.
Nearly 200 falconers from around the country are gathering at the Topaz Lodge to compete today and Saturday.
The Falconers from Nevada, the California Hawk Club and the North American Falconers Association will meet for the first time through Saturday.
“We have participants from California, Nevada and back East,” said Smith Valley Resident Linda Ely. “This is the first time we’ve had a joint meet. It’s a good time for people to come and see the birds.”
The birds will be visible in what falconers call the weathering yard, which will be set up on the lawn at the Lodge.
Falconry consists of flying the birds after rabbits and other small game.
“The birds are in charge,” Ely said. “If they see a rabbit they jump down on it.”
In addition to falcons, there will be owls, eagles and hawks at the meet.
Ely said the best time to see the birds is between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. when they are in the yard.
The meet will occur in the morning before 11 a.m. and the afternoon after around 2 p.m.
