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Cancer Survivor Finds Freedom Flying Hawks
22 Mar
Summary
- Recovering from breast cancer, Candida Meyrick adopted a hawk named Bird.
- Bird's training reignited Candida's passion and helped her re-identify herself.
- Candida documented her journey in the memoir 'Be More Bird'.
Six years ago, amidst the first COVID-19 lockdown, Candida Meyrick embarked on a unique journey of recovery. Following her battle with breast cancer, she adopted a Harris Hawk fledgling named Bird. This decision, influenced by her youngest son George, marked the beginning of a lifelong passion for falconry.
Meyrick describes flying a hawk as a powerful affirmation of life, a stark contrast to the passive role of a cancer patient. Bird, whose official name is Sophia Houdini White Wing, possesses impressive physical attributes, including a 1.5-meter wingspan and keen eyesight.
The process of 'manning' Bird, helping her accept sitting on a glove, began in 2020. Meyrick found the perfect hunting territory for Bird on her Bodorgan Hall estate on Anglesey. This endeavor became integral to her ongoing health journey, offering a sense of freedom and resilience.
Candida's experience with Bird inspired her memoir, "Be More Bird," where she details the therapeutic and transformative power of falconry. She hopes this passion will inspire future generations, potentially her own children, to connect with nature and birds of prey.
