About 80 people travelled from countries including the US, Germany, South Africa, Japan and Italy - many bringing their birds with them.

The meeting is an opportunity for enthusiasts to discuss the ecology of the birds, as well as watching them fly Mark Hinge

The event in Llangollen, Denbighshire, was held to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Welsh Hawking Club, which is the third largest of its kind in the world.

The club boasts around 600 members - 400 are from Wales.

Before the event, club secretary Mike Clowse explained that a great variety of birds would be on show.

"It is a hunting meeting - there will be around 60 birds, including goshawks, harrier hawks and lots of falcons," he said.

He added that he was very excited about the international event, which takes place every four years.

Mark Hinge, from the Countryside Alliance, said the club was well-respected for falconry and breeding.

"The meeting is an opportunity for enthusiasts to discuss the ecology of the birds, as well as watching them fly," said Mark Hinge, from the Countryside Alliance.

He said it had played a lead role in bringing one species, the Mauritius Kestrel, back from the brink of extinction.

Founding father

Conservation issues will be discussed at the event during the week.

During the meet, 15 parties of falconers and austringers (who fly hawks rather than falcons) put on displays.

Hawk enthusiast Mark Williams at a previous event

People attending the event were also invited to the AGM and banquet.

The Welsh Hawking Club was founded in South Wales in 1962 under the guidance of a famous Hungarian falconer Lorant de Bastyai.

The club extends outside Wales, with regional branches including south west England, Essex, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

Only the British Falconers Club and the North American Falconers Association have more members.