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Peregrine Spring: A Master Falconer's Extraordinary Life with Birds of Prey
Now in paperback!
Peregrine Spring gives readers a new perspective on the relationship between humans and the natural world. Cowan’s raptors have immersed her so much into their world that she has found herself courted by a Goshawk and bossed about by a Harris’ Hawk. The book carries her readers along, so they, too, meet hawks and falcons in ways they never imagined possible.
Nancy Cowan is a master falconer, wildlife rescue expert, and award-winning writer. She and her husband founded the internationally-known New Hampshire School of Falconry.
Peregrine Spring gives readers a new perspective on the relationship between humans and the natural world. Cowan’s raptors have immersed her so much into their world that she has found herself courted by a Goshawk and bossed about by a Harris’ Hawk. The book carries her readers along, so they, too, meet hawks and falcons in ways they never imagined possible.
Nancy Cowan is a master falconer, wildlife rescue expert, and award-winning writer. She and her husband founded the internationally-known New Hampshire School of Falconry.
296 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 11, 2018
2.5 stars for what should have been an amazing book. Having worked with raptors I couldn’t wait to start this book, but then struggled to get through. The writing is so poor and dry it did a disservice to the stories. This book is a string of tangents, with birds, dogs, and people mentioned once with importance and then not again. The timeline shifts around, and there is no emotion.
The first part of the book is dedicated to describing her introduction to falconry and to her first Harris Hawk, Injun. While incredibly important to her, when he dies he gets two sentences, off-hand, in reference to how his death meant she couldn’t train another bird for another season. A good writer could have shared a compelling story about amazing creatures, instead what we got was a jumbled assortment of facts and events like it had been cobbled together from a daily journal instead of thoughtfully written.
The first part of the book is dedicated to describing her introduction to falconry and to her first Harris Hawk, Injun. While incredibly important to her, when he dies he gets two sentences, off-hand, in reference to how his death meant she couldn’t train another bird for another season. A good writer could have shared a compelling story about amazing creatures, instead what we got was a jumbled assortment of facts and events like it had been cobbled together from a daily journal instead of thoughtfully written.
July 22, 2018
More books about falconry, you ask? Why, of course. I'll happily dig into each and every one I find and I'm pretty sure I'll be amassing a vast collection over the years. I really can't get enough of learning about raptors.
While the book is titled Peregrine Spring I believe Nancy Cowan spends much more time with Harris's Hawks than peregrine's throughout the pages. It's understandable, given how good Harris's Hawks can be with newcomers - and having manned one myself now, I can say that I read through those pages with a bit of a smile on my face remembering how he felt on my glove, how welcoming he was to me feeling his keel, etc. It was an electrifying feeling when he bated, and I was very aware of the predator that close to me, but he was also easy to read. You don't let your guard down, but you can feel comfortable. Falconry is about the raptor and you becoming extensions of one another, after all. This book showed that connection especially well.
This book isn't as much a full story as H is for Hawk is, and it is a bit unfair to compare the two. This book is more a collection of essays or conversational pieces about the legalization of falconry in New Hampshire, learning falconry and about the birds, and eventually rehabilitating birds and the highs and lows that comes with it. This is more a book for a novice than someone deep into falconry unless they are simply looking for a fun thing to read from a fellow master. Terms are defined more than they were in H is for Hawk and the writer is more interested in explaining the why's of falconry and its importance and appeal than the process of it all itself
The books are very different, but both are very good. Reading this made me appreciate living with the corvid I do and look forward to a life full of strange and interesting birds and all they can share with us. There's definitely something healing about being in the presence of something so wild and different and earning its trust.
While the book is titled Peregrine Spring I believe Nancy Cowan spends much more time with Harris's Hawks than peregrine's throughout the pages. It's understandable, given how good Harris's Hawks can be with newcomers - and having manned one myself now, I can say that I read through those pages with a bit of a smile on my face remembering how he felt on my glove, how welcoming he was to me feeling his keel, etc. It was an electrifying feeling when he bated, and I was very aware of the predator that close to me, but he was also easy to read. You don't let your guard down, but you can feel comfortable. Falconry is about the raptor and you becoming extensions of one another, after all. This book showed that connection especially well.
This book isn't as much a full story as H is for Hawk is, and it is a bit unfair to compare the two. This book is more a collection of essays or conversational pieces about the legalization of falconry in New Hampshire, learning falconry and about the birds, and eventually rehabilitating birds and the highs and lows that comes with it. This is more a book for a novice than someone deep into falconry unless they are simply looking for a fun thing to read from a fellow master. Terms are defined more than they were in H is for Hawk and the writer is more interested in explaining the why's of falconry and its importance and appeal than the process of it all itself
The books are very different, but both are very good. Reading this made me appreciate living with the corvid I do and look forward to a life full of strange and interesting birds and all they can share with us. There's definitely something healing about being in the presence of something so wild and different and earning its trust.
March 8, 2016
This memoir by Nancy Cowan about raising and flying raptors is thrilling. Her relateable writing style gripped me quickly and charmed me completely. Throughout the book, I found myself laughing, crying, and holding my breath.
Besides all the action, (there are flying sequences and hunts described so well they will take your breath away), I learned a lot about falconry and birds of prey. Thirty years of training raptors has lent Nancy keen insight into the instincts that drive the birds. She describes her mistakes as vividly as she describes her triumphs. Nancy doesn't romanticize the birds, raptors are not pets, but they are quite a batch of characters. I enjoyed meeting each bird.
I highly recommend this book for would-be falconers, current falconers, animals-lovers, and anyone who enjoys full immersion into a lifestyle they will probably never lead themselves. This intimate memoir takes you into Nancy's living room, her marriage, her backyard, her countryside, and straight into her heart. Five stars!
Besides all the action, (there are flying sequences and hunts described so well they will take your breath away), I learned a lot about falconry and birds of prey. Thirty years of training raptors has lent Nancy keen insight into the instincts that drive the birds. She describes her mistakes as vividly as she describes her triumphs. Nancy doesn't romanticize the birds, raptors are not pets, but they are quite a batch of characters. I enjoyed meeting each bird.
I highly recommend this book for would-be falconers, current falconers, animals-lovers, and anyone who enjoys full immersion into a lifestyle they will probably never lead themselves. This intimate memoir takes you into Nancy's living room, her marriage, her backyard, her countryside, and straight into her heart. Five stars!
January 7, 2021
I think another reviewer put it best by saying that the author, Nancy Cowan, has a very relatable writing style. She makes the history and terminology of falconry extremely easy to understand, so you do not get lost by the wayside. I think I am more invested in this book after being able to visit her falconry school last fall, but I think anyone who enjoys animals and learning about their way of life would also like reading this book. There could be a better timeline to the chapters because some of the events seemed to skip or jump a little, which would leave me confused at times. However, overall, I think it was very well written and I will be recommending it to others who share the same love for animals that I do.
February 28, 2016
This is not your typical Falconry book. I have read a few in the last year and the setting for the contents of the stories told came with a tone that, for a falconer, was captivating to take in as each intimate detail of the authors experience came across the page. I know the author of the book, well enough to have heard a few of these stories in casual conversation. But nothing with the detail and image that the pages leave you to feel as if, at times, Cowan was going to throw in the glove and hang up the leash for good.
The style for the stories is that as you would hear it in a conversation told by Cowan in her home over a cup of coffee sitting at the dining room table. It contains gentle hints and some direct points to terminology used in Falconry for those that are not falconers, so that the story (and its importance) can be easily understood and quickly followed as it progresses. A glossary was not needed.....
Time line for the book was all over the place, as you would not expect. Each story about each individual raptor was told pertaining to that of the next which was closely linked to another raptor held in Cowans care years apart. This is particularly (and strangely) done throughout the book as it was told not to link each experience of success and heart ache together in time as it passed, but more so to push onto the image that the life of a Falconer is strikingly similar to that of the birds in which they choose to fly: uncertain, a partnership, loyalty based, puzzling, frustrating, joyful, heart wrenching, and full of trust.
Cowan's account of her journey with her Raptors is spell binding. Its raw in its form and unfiltered. Much to the experience of her beginnings with one bird, she tells tales of similarity to another species of Raptor altogether, and then twists it into a horror show when you least expect it.
Accompanied by her tales of the beginnings of Falconry stemming from her husband and his journey to become the first licensed Falconer in the State of New Hampshire, she sets out in pace to begin her own journey as a falconer "under his wing". Comical husband and wife experiences over the years wrapped around the training of Raptors is quite the read! (even for a Falconer!)
For those that are not Falconers: I see this life story with a different view. Being a Falconer myself, I found some of the stories just so unbelievable that it made me read chapters twice to take the feeling in again. Cowan's description of how she cared for some of these Raptors is that of a parent adopting a child, and being policed over by guidelines and restrictions she MUST over come if the birds are to have a future to be put back into the wild. It is that story of a parent, whom must put all they have: every ounce of being, giving up a luxury of spare time, being able to sleep in on a Sunday, pushing things aside to accommodate ,.... things parents must do for their children.... to have a chance at a future.
For those that are Falconers: the stories can be viewed with humor, most are,.. some not so much. You can expect to find yourself smiling as you hear the reactions to a particular bird and Cowan's reaction to the bird,... and sometimes her husbands reactions mixed into them both! Its riddled with truth about what we feel for our bird(s).
Peregrine Spring isn't a book that anyone will pick up and instantly be lured into the fantasy of a life with a Bird of Prey resting on your arm.
It's about the struggle that a person must endure through each day to become part of, and practice this ancient art so few of us will begin the journey into. Falconry is a hobby,.... but more so, a way of life.
The style for the stories is that as you would hear it in a conversation told by Cowan in her home over a cup of coffee sitting at the dining room table. It contains gentle hints and some direct points to terminology used in Falconry for those that are not falconers, so that the story (and its importance) can be easily understood and quickly followed as it progresses. A glossary was not needed.....
Time line for the book was all over the place, as you would not expect. Each story about each individual raptor was told pertaining to that of the next which was closely linked to another raptor held in Cowans care years apart. This is particularly (and strangely) done throughout the book as it was told not to link each experience of success and heart ache together in time as it passed, but more so to push onto the image that the life of a Falconer is strikingly similar to that of the birds in which they choose to fly: uncertain, a partnership, loyalty based, puzzling, frustrating, joyful, heart wrenching, and full of trust.
Cowan's account of her journey with her Raptors is spell binding. Its raw in its form and unfiltered. Much to the experience of her beginnings with one bird, she tells tales of similarity to another species of Raptor altogether, and then twists it into a horror show when you least expect it.
Accompanied by her tales of the beginnings of Falconry stemming from her husband and his journey to become the first licensed Falconer in the State of New Hampshire, she sets out in pace to begin her own journey as a falconer "under his wing". Comical husband and wife experiences over the years wrapped around the training of Raptors is quite the read! (even for a Falconer!)
For those that are not Falconers: I see this life story with a different view. Being a Falconer myself, I found some of the stories just so unbelievable that it made me read chapters twice to take the feeling in again. Cowan's description of how she cared for some of these Raptors is that of a parent adopting a child, and being policed over by guidelines and restrictions she MUST over come if the birds are to have a future to be put back into the wild. It is that story of a parent, whom must put all they have: every ounce of being, giving up a luxury of spare time, being able to sleep in on a Sunday, pushing things aside to accommodate ,.... things parents must do for their children.... to have a chance at a future.
For those that are Falconers: the stories can be viewed with humor, most are,.. some not so much. You can expect to find yourself smiling as you hear the reactions to a particular bird and Cowan's reaction to the bird,... and sometimes her husbands reactions mixed into them both! Its riddled with truth about what we feel for our bird(s).
Peregrine Spring isn't a book that anyone will pick up and instantly be lured into the fantasy of a life with a Bird of Prey resting on your arm.
It's about the struggle that a person must endure through each day to become part of, and practice this ancient art so few of us will begin the journey into. Falconry is a hobby,.... but more so, a way of life.
May 31, 2018
3.5 Stars
Earlier this month I read H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald, and because that is so fresh in my mind it's impossible not to compare the two. They are both memoirs about falconry, and they are both reasonably accessible to a non-falconer such as myself. But where H is for Hawk has a psychological journey and literary tone to it, Peregrine Spring reads a lot like a (well written, thoughtful) blog journaling the author's various experiences with many birds of prey throughout the years. It's...chattier. And the thing is, I think I liked it better and found it more relatable for that very reason. Your mileage may vary.
I think the portion of this book that I found the most interesting was the couple of cases where Cowan takes on a wild bird for rehabilitation with the goal of releasing back into the wild. She was fairly open about the pros and cons of rerelease, and she made me aware of flaws in the laws regarding these practices.
The only thing that held me back from a higher rating was the sheer number of birds being discussed--you as the reader don't get much time to know if love any particular bird before Cowan's relationship with it ends for one reason or another. I tend to like a slightly more personal story, but obviously that is a preference thing.
Earlier this month I read H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald, and because that is so fresh in my mind it's impossible not to compare the two. They are both memoirs about falconry, and they are both reasonably accessible to a non-falconer such as myself. But where H is for Hawk has a psychological journey and literary tone to it, Peregrine Spring reads a lot like a (well written, thoughtful) blog journaling the author's various experiences with many birds of prey throughout the years. It's...chattier. And the thing is, I think I liked it better and found it more relatable for that very reason. Your mileage may vary.
I think the portion of this book that I found the most interesting was the couple of cases where Cowan takes on a wild bird for rehabilitation with the goal of releasing back into the wild. She was fairly open about the pros and cons of rerelease, and she made me aware of flaws in the laws regarding these practices.
The only thing that held me back from a higher rating was the sheer number of birds being discussed--you as the reader don't get much time to know if love any particular bird before Cowan's relationship with it ends for one reason or another. I tend to like a slightly more personal story, but obviously that is a preference thing.
April 2, 2016
I had the pleasure of taking on of Nancy Cowan's falconry classes last year and it only made me want to read her book even more when it came out. After waiting countless months for March to arrive, this book finally found it's way into my hands. I was not disappointed! Nancy shares so many interesting, funny, heart felt and heartwarming stories about her life with these amazing birds. This book will take you on a flight that you'll never want to end.
December 19, 2017
I found this a fascinating read. All birds are so interesting, and they give me endless pleasure. Their behavior is so stimulating, but what do I really know or understand at the end of the day! Does it really stratify that everything needs a chance? If it does, where do we place the food? If a hawk is to survive, a chukar or quail or chick must die to feed the hawk? I have no answers - just questions!!!
March 18, 2016
In PEREGRINE SPRING, author Nancy Cowan takes us into the fascinating world of falconers and the raptors they love. I was fascinated by the author’s account of the special relationships between humans and birds. Cowan takes her readers into this special world and her adoration for raptors is both compelling and inspiring.
October 2, 2016
I loved this book!
Beautifully written in a simple but flowing style, Cowan really gave insight into the personalities of each of her raptors and what it was like to live with them and to lose them.
I highly recommend it if you like birds in general; you don't have to have a special interest in raptors to enjoy this one.
Beautifully written in a simple but flowing style, Cowan really gave insight into the personalities of each of her raptors and what it was like to live with them and to lose them.
I highly recommend it if you like birds in general; you don't have to have a special interest in raptors to enjoy this one.
September 18, 2016
Delightful. A must read for beginner falconers and those considering it. While the book is not a "how to" guide, the processes are included. More important are the lessons about how falconry would change your life. A good read for nature lovers.
September 23, 2016
Loved the idea of the book, and the insights into the way raptors "think." Ms Cowan's insight into the behavior of her birds was inspiring and fascinating. Unfortunately, not so her writing: it's stiff and clunky.
January 17, 2017
e-book Book Bub Kind of a slog in reading but I didn't know anything about falconry and this made it interesting also. Would have liked more illustrations to explain the paraphernalia and such as it was described to get a better understanding of what all was happening
February 28, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It flows nicely. You read one chapter, and you want to go on to the next. There is a lot of insight into the behavior of birds of prey, it's like seeing the world through their eyes at times.
October 15, 2016
I never thought I'd enjoy any book on falconry, but I was surprised with this one. Also it cleared some of the misconceptions I had about falconry.
March 16, 2017
I really liked this book. Raptors are my favorite birds, and I enjoyed the stories in this book. It was decently written, but the subject matter tipped my scales.
March 20, 2017
This book made me want to become a master falconer. Cowan does a great job of relaying how majestic and magical birds of prey are and you can't help but envy the connection she has with them.
April 18, 2018
She’s got some amazing stories, but the writing is choppy and I never got fully emotionally invested in her or her birds.
December 6, 2018
This is my favorite book I've read this year. The stories and experiences shared by the author were so vivid and touching, I feel I have gained so much from reading this book.
January 27, 2019
Interesting review of falconry.
January 24, 2020
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about falconry since I'm against hunting as a sport. However, it is clear from reading falconer testimonies that they have the utmost respect for their birds and nature and treat them very well. (Not sure the same can be said for the live bait they carry in their pockets.) There's also a lot of law and paperwork surrounding these activities, at least in the Unites States, which makes me think they care for the animal welfare and conservation.
Even if I wasn't completely comfortable with some of the procedures described, this was still very engrossing. I learned a lot about the different types of birds used for falconry, the great differences between species, the differences between wild birds and birds who always grew up among humans, birds who need to be reabilitated to go back to the wild and others that would never fare in nature. There were some interesting and sometimes funny stories about Nancy and her birds and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, which had a wonderfully clear and calm narrator.
Compared to H is for Hawk this is a much lighter and matter-of-fact book that makes falconry sound, if complex and unpredictable, doable and fun.
July 9, 2021
This is a memoir about the author’s experience in working, training, and rehabilitating raptors. She also discusses the political and environmental challenges of falconry and details the process of how she and her husband worked to change the laws in their state to allow them to work with and keep raptors. She details the hard work and the heartbreak that can happen when mistakes are made in hunting and training. The author also speaks to the different personalities and traits of various types of raptors. This was an informative and interesting book which combined personal history and experience with insight on raptors.
June 9, 2020
This book really helped me to understand the fascinated world of falconry. I've been interested in this since I was a child, and it was incredible to learn first hand about these birds and their care. I highly recommend this book to anybody who's interested in falconry or just wants a step away from what you usually read.
My one critique is that the author's first bird is named Injun. While she does address the racial insensitivity of the name somewhat in the book, it did slightly tarnish my enjoyment of the book overall. Besides this, I found it to be a riveting and lovely read.
My one critique is that the author's first bird is named Injun. While she does address the racial insensitivity of the name somewhat in the book, it did slightly tarnish my enjoyment of the book overall. Besides this, I found it to be a riveting and lovely read.
April 30, 2020
A life spent so close to Nature - oh how lovely!
My Full Review
My Full Review
March 11, 2022
I thought this was a wonderful book to read;I felt as if had experienced all the emotions that the author expressed.
It helped me to better my understanding of what it takes for humans to have relationships with hawks,falcons,peregrines.
It helped me to better my understanding of what it takes for humans to have relationships with hawks,falcons,peregrines.
September 27, 2023
I wish she'd gone into a lot more depth about the differences between different types of hawks and falcons, but this was an interesting peek into a different lifestyle.
March 9, 2025
I devoured this book. The subject matter is fascinating to me, the setting is near my home and it is very well written.
November 16, 2019
My rating reflects an admiration for the subject matter and the falconers willingness to share the full spectrum of experiences, both the exhilarating and the tragic, with the reader. The book helps increase ones appreciation for the level of commitment needed to be an adequate handler of raptors and the risks and rewards involved. I gained a greater sense of what falconry is like from this book than other more authoritative sources I own. The book is structured in semi chronological order with chapters reading as memoir.
August 25, 2023
Although I’m not sure how or when I acquired it, I really enjoyed reading this book about falconry. The writing is excellent and the bite-size stories about the author’s experience flying raptors often left a smile on my face.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews