On this bird of prey farm near Zoetermeer you get a sea eagle or vulture on your arm

Near Zoetermeer you will find a real bird of prey farm in a green landscape. There are eagle owls, eagles, buzzards and owls. In the yard a tame stork walks towards you, and a little further on James wants to sniff the pink pelican with his large beak something tasty from your bag.

The bird of prey farm is located in the Groenzoom in Berkel and Rodenrijs, just behind the Balijbos and the Rokkeveen district. The most special birds of prey live on the farm: from a Bengal eagle owl to a red -tailed buzzard, and from a black vulture to a glasses. Owner Ben de Keijzer gives, only by appointment, workshops where you learn everything about the birds and even get them on your arm. Also people with bird fear.

Bird mad

Bird lovers from all over the country know where to find the largest bird of prey farm in the Netherlands in Berkel. The same goes for the Zaandijkse Alex, Muidi and Hajo Ris. “I gave Alex the workshop for his birthday,” says Muidi. “But when my son Hajo heard it, he also wanted to come along. We all love birds of prey.”

In the meantime, Employee Zina is coming to her arm with the Bengalian Oehoe Loki. On the other side of the lawn her colleague calls to Loki, after which the bird flies to him. Then she calls back the eagle owl, so that the big bird lands exactly on the arm of Hajo after a silent flight. With a sturdy fist in the thick glove, he keeps the owl in balance. He proudly looks up at the bird and his penetrating, bright yellow eyes.

Owl silently over you

Valkenier and owner Ben de Keijzer once had a dairy farm in the village. But after the construction of the Groenzoom he had to move. He decided to stop his cows and to fully focus on his passion: birds of prey. He set up a shed behind his house as a reception area for visitors, and also an interior flying space and stay for the birds. “I think birds of prey mighty,” he says beaming. “Normally you only see them in the wild, usually in the distance. On this farm, everyone can view them from close by. If an owl flies over you, you don’t hear them coming. Great to see the bird above your head.”

Ark van Noah

In addition to the eagles, falcons and owls, Ben keeps more birds on his terrain, such as a pink pelican, parrots and ostriches. Behind the shed hang nest boxes in which owls nest, and lapwing and oystercatchers have laid their eggs in the grassland. “It looks a bit like Noah’s ark here,” says Ben Laughing.

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Animal welfare first

All birds on the bird of prey farm were born in captivity in bird parks and near Valkeniers. Ben trains and socializes the birds so that they can get in touch with people safely. The birds have plenty of room for flying both inside the shed and outside. They stay in lofts where visitors are not welcome. “This is to protect the birds and to feel safe,” says Ben. At a workshop, an employee picks up the bird so that he knows that he is going outside and meeting people. “I trained them on that.”

Will the birds not fly away once they come out? According to Ben, they can indeed fly away, but they stay on the farm because they are all too good there. “But it has happened that I had to pick up a bird in France. Because they are ringed, they can always be traced.”

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I have had to pick up a bird in France

Pigeons and seagulls watch out

As a falconer, Ben regularly stands in the Archeon with his birds of prey. Together with his employees, he gives demonstrations and explanations about the birds in the arena of the bird park. In addition, he is concerned with bird depreciation in places where, for example, pigeons or seagulls cause nuisance. “I was recently with a bird of prey in a football stadium where birds destroyed the turf by picking out worms. After a few visits and diving flights from my specially trained bird of prey, the birds did not dare to come back.”

A rib from your body

Ben wants to share his passion and fascination for birds of prey with his farm, but also teach people something. The Valkenier profession is an age -old profession and many proverbs come from there. Statements such as’someone lurkingor ‘or’a rib from your body‘Both come from the history of Valkeniers. Ben likes to tell visitors about this.

Despite its sixty birds on the farm, there is always something left to be desired. Ben would like to train a martial eagle again, or a fighting eagle. “Once I had one but he didn’t like people. With visitors to the farm, the bird of prey hid himself, and after their departure he showed himself again. Who knows it will be possible with a new one.”

Curious how a workshop at the Bird of prey farm In Berkel and Rodenrijs looks like? Then watch the video below: