Male Perlin
(Falco peregrinus X columbarius)

Simon Highman

I first met Simon when he came to collect his 14 day old blob of fluff from me 4 years ago, since then we have become good friends and it has been my great pleasure to witness him hone to perfection, the tiny male Perlin that he collected from me that day.
Without doubt, Simon is a skilled and intuitive falconer.  From the outset he had a perfect picture of what he wanted to develop his little falcon in to, and how would achieve it.

His very first season was outstanding, taking many magpies, snipe and other noteworthy quarry.  He would mount and remount to cracking pitches before performing blistering stoops at Snipe, sometimes snatching them cleanly from the air, and others striking them down before alighting to secure his prize.

I believe that Simon is the first falconer to show that Snipe can be more than just an occasional red letter day catch, he has proved that they can be a regularly attainable quarry and shown the Perlin to be perfect tool for the job.

He also has to be commended for the conditioning and confidence he instilled into his falcon, to watch this 10oz bird take on and utterly master quarry such as Magpie and Teal had to be seen to be believed.  He took some amazing trophy head in his four seasons, including Red Grouse, Pheasant and many Grey Partridge.   

It is a tragedy that a Fox killed this amazing little falcon towards the end of his fourth season, he will remain burned in to the minds of all those who witnessed his incredible flights.

There are more Perlins now finding their way in to the hands of some excellent falconers, and the future will see many more superstars in the field.   I know that Simon will produce another outstanding Perlin in the very near future and I look forward to witnessing again, the incredible flying ability of these miniature game hawks in the hands of a Falconer who knows how to bring out the best in them.