TELLING your new colleagues that they've put a bit of weight on over the Christmas period may not be the best way of settling into a new job, writes Helen Long.

But for falconer Denise Barrow of Newby Bridge, who has just started work at Leighton Hall, near Carnforth, it's an essential part of her work.

Getting to know the birds and their individual characters is her first priority.

"Then I have a lot of work over the next few months helping the birds to lose their winter weight and building a bond with them," she says.

"By the time the hall re-opens in May we should all be ready to greet the visitors again!"

Not all the birds are strangers.

Denise has brought an old friend with her in her move to Leighton Hall.

'Jarreth', a Harris Hawk - her first bird and a seasoned performer - will be with her, charming the visitors as usual.

"He will fly for anyone," says Denise, "you can put a glove on and he will fly for children".

Denise is known to many youngsters in the Kendal area because of her school visits with the birds and talks about falconry and flight, which will continue in her new job.

There will also be lots of other opportunities, both at Leighton Hall and at other events, to see her working with the birds, including 'Experience Days' at Leighton Hall for members of the public to learn about birds of prey.

Denise's first public appearance will be at the North West Tourist Board's Great Days Out Fair in March, which Jarreth will also attend.

At Leighton Hall she will be responsible for 16 birds of prey including a Russian Steppe Eagle called Gorbachov, who is another favourite, and a sleek Saker falcon, Fortune.

Denise, who became passionately interested in falconry after a day course, says it's impossible to describe the feeling that it gives her.

"It's just amazing that a wild bird makes a choice to stay with you," she says.