Hans-Peter Herrmann is absolutely in his element when eagles soar in the sky with their majestic flight patterns or falcons perform their spectacular swoops. He is setting new standards at his falconry in Plauen and has big plans for the future.

When the 36-year-old falconer walks past the roosts for his birds of prey, they express their affection for him: they beckon him, screech and call to attract his attention. In contrast, they completely ignore strangers.

“Falconry is a fair business when it comes to keeping creatures. The birds can fly freely and decide for themselves whether they return or not. They need to feel at home in their adopted home,” says Hans-Peter Herrmann. GPS signals prove that his birds sometimes fly as far as the Czech Republic or Upper Franconia in Bavaria. They can be away for up to four days before they return to their falconer. He expresses his delight.

“I was already fascinated by birds of prey and their freedom as a child. I’m grateful that I can work with these creatures that are far above me with their qualities. I’m sometimes close to tears because I’ve been able to fulfil my dream.”

The Herrmann falconry is home to about 50 birds, including falcons, owls and eagles. Hans-Peter and his six employees also care for injured wild birds, which they release into their natural surroundings once the birds have recovered. Young Minerva’s owls and other owls are returned to the wild too.

“Human beings have removed a great deal from natural surroundings. It’s time to give something back.”

After completing his training as a forest manager, the native of the Vogtland region worked in falconries in Bavaria, Austria and Spain. He started setting up his own falconry in Plauen in 2009. His bird shows are now a major attraction and tens of thousands of people visit his centre every year. The next few months will be exciting: he has plans for new aviaries, a pets’ corner, a large breeding facility, new car parking spaces and a laboratory to perform minor operations on injured animals at his site on Pfaffengutstrasse that measures three hectares; and these are just a few of the projects.

“We’re breaking new ground with our bird training. Many of our visitors are specialists in this field and ask us, “How do you manage to do this?”

It’s important to spend time with the creatures every day – hour by hour. The birds are personalities. They have weaknesses and strengths. He still gets goose-bumps when the Siberian female eagle Olga flies over the heads of the spectators without making a sound and then ruffles its white features; or when the Himalayan female vulture, Gabi, shows its wingspan of more than three metres; or when an eagle climbs to a height of more than 5,000 metres and then begins its dive.

Sustainability and protecting the environment are the key issues for Hans-Peter Herrmann. He examines birds’ feathers with children in biology lessons. And those who visit his falconry to go on forest experience tours learn how to read tracks, discover more about plants and observe animals. Bird shows take place every day except Mondays in the summer – and the mobile falconry visits old people’s homes, spa clinics or private celebrations in winter.