Setting dogs have been used in falconry for centuries, to locate, point and hold birds, while the falcon is able to get into position for the swoop on the game.

Although there are few opportunities for setters to work with falcons in Ireland, some Irish Red and White Setters, bred from working lines in Ireland, have been trained and are now working successfully with falcons and hawks in England, Scotland and Wales

The Irish Red and White Setter is a dog which can seriously be considered for falconry. They have a good nose, are wide ranging on a grouse moor, when trained can work fairly independently  , allowing the falconer to concentrate on the falcon, and have the advantage of being very  visible at a considerable distance, both to handler and falcon

In England Danny Ringham works Bishopmill Abe, bred by Terry O'Leary,  with falcons, and in Wales Steve and Angela Gouldthorpe work Dalriach Allegra (daughter of David Byrne's Kestrel of Cherryfield) and Dalriach Dailuaine (granddaughter of Kestrel and Rushfield Rascal) with their falcons. Steve trains his red and whites mostly on partridge in Wales, but takes them up to Scotland for grouse hawking. Wide ranging Irish Red and White Setters are well suited for working on grouse moors with falcons

PS You can enjoy more Nolan pictures  by visiting my online album.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreagp/sets/72157594194268846/ - Bred by Bob and Evan Devlin contact at evandevlin@aol.com

O Dobhailen Nolan

Tom has  me plant a pheasant in the field before Nolan and Jackie (goshawk) come on to the scene.

Nolan finds the bird. The hawk never takes her eye off the dog. She knows he will find the bird for her.

It's hard to tell with the size of this photo, but the bird has just flushed in front of Nolan. You may be able to make out the brown blur above Nolan's head. The hawk starts her pursuit.

Jackie proudly kills the pheasant

 
Nolan has learned to lay down by Jackie while she finishes off the bird. He has learned the hard way that the hawk will turn on him if he gets too close or competitive.

Fear not, she has never drawn blood. Nolan has a healthy respect for her. His IRWS disposition suits him well here.

The trio with Nolan in position

 
 Tom transfers the hawk to a smaller  piece of meat to reward her. We then get to eat the pheasant and she can hunt for more if she's still hungry.

A job well done!  We are now ready for wild grouse, pheasants and ducks. (The team has taken 25 birds together this season)