the chase - september 2010

T h e C h a s ethe on-line newsletter of the UK Falconry Club - September 2010

www.ukfalconryforum.com

THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UKFALCONRY CLUB - JULY 2010

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Editors noteWelcome to the latest version of THE CHASE.

Well September is now upon us and everyone will bebusy getting their hawks fiit for the season ahead.Some have already started off the season well withtheir hawks and the luck few have caught their firstGrouse of the 2010 season.

Meanwhile, the UK Falconry Club continues to growand we will be at the Midland Game fair in WestonPark, Shropshire on the 18th & 19th of September. I do hope you will be able to make it it should be agood show.

Good hawking for all

Neil Davies - Editor

Features4 The Haggard - Charlie Heap

10 The Great Lakes Falconers Association

14 Blair Drummond Falconry Festival - Neil Davies

18 Penny my Imprint Sparrowhawk - Jen Wise

20 Orla - Female Golden Eagle - Stewart Robertson

26 Product Review - Pineo Gloves & Noble Bells

28 Competition Page - Win a pair of Noble Bells

32 Club News

The Chase is the online newsletter of the UKFalconry Club. No article, photograph, or part of this publication maybe reproduced withoutwritten consent.

The Editor and the UKFC Committee reservesthe right to approve or refuse any advertisementor contribution for any reason.

Cover picture - ‘American Kestrel © David Rampling

CONTENTS

THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - SEPTEMBER 2010 3

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20 26

4 THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - SEPTEMBER 2010

THE HAGGARD

the ha

THE HAGGARD

aggardI have just learnt an important lesson. Recently,on the UKFC forum I mentioned I had a newbird. This is a risky subject to carelessly postabout. In double quick time a certain NeilDavies, Editor for the CHASE collared me foran article!

I have flown birds since I was a lad. Thoughrecently a break from falconry allowed work,houses and a new baby to occupy my mind, Ihave always been a falconer at heart. Over theyears I have flown falcons to the lure but havealways done my hunting with shortwings,broadwings and hawk-eagles.

However, in April of this year I was at theInternational Centre for Birds of Prey (ICBP)in Newent. Sitting in Jemima’s hospital areawas a haggard female Peregrine.

She was the breeding female from SymondsYat, a local RSPB watched eyrie. She had beenviciously attacked by an incoming femaleperegrine: grabbed round the head and a talonhad gone into her right ear and punctured theback of her eye. The bird was in such severeshock she couldn’t be taken to see Neil Forbesfor a few days. Eventually she was well enoughto travel to Swindon. On arrival at GreatWestern Referrals the shock returned - to theextent of her feet turning blue.

The prognosis wasn’t good with the high riskof loss of sight to her right eye - even if shesurvived. Fortunately she started to improve.Antibiotics kept any infections at bay and hercuts and bruises healed, her sight seemed to berecovering. In late April Neil pronounced hersight to be at least 75% in her damaged eye.

It was at this point I first saw this bird satserenely in her night quarter. She had remainedfeather perfect in spite of her repeated manhandling. Mima mentioned that it would begreat if she could find someone to lure fly herfor the summer and, if her vision proved goodenough, to release her in the late summer.

Needless to say I volunteered to fly her and Ipicked her up at the Falconer’s Fair. Whilst atthe Fair I also invested in the new 434 Marshalltelemetry set (absolutely awesome by the way).

I never named this bird; I didn’t want to feelthat she was mine. As it turned out she provedthat she belonged to no one!

She took to training very well. She fed on thefist on the second day and was coming to thelure within a few days. I was more than a littleconcerned that this falcon would disappear themoment I let her loose, so I kept her on thecreance longer than strictly necessary.

I was flying her at a local farm just down thehill from my house. The reason was that up thehill from my house is the largest game farm innorthern England. I could only imagine thecarnage a haggard peregrine could cause!

Eventually she was flown free and I started tofly her in the field at my house - largely so myother half could watch. She wasn’t a great lurebird to be honest. She flew with her brakes onand her tail fanned whilst she chased the lure -it was obvious that she regarded it as a chore.

Then one day I put her on the fence post inpreparation for a spot of lure flying and shetightened her feathers and shot off after a greenwoodpecker.


She missed the woodpecker but spotted somerooks in the distance, in the direction of the gamefarm! - And was off at warp speed. Out came mynew telemetry and off I went! Only to find hersitting on a rook within a mile; she was not pleasedto see me! As I made into her she took off andlanded on the ground 25m away. Fortunately I hadbrought a creance with me. I tied the rook to theline and threw it toward her - obligingly shehopped onto it and started to feed. The grass wasshort enough for me to wind her up with noproblems. I walked back home grinning from earto ear.

Over the next few weeks she continued heroccasional forays to the local rookery for somesport. After a few more kills she became easier topick up off kills and I no longer needed to windher up. One time I tracked her to a duck pen at thegame farm containing several hundred youngmallard. The grass in the pen was quite long so Icouldn’t spot her to begin with. I was convincedshe had caught a duck. All the ducks were crowdedat one end of the pen and were peeping away likemad. Incredibly she had caught another rook and

the moment I picked her up the incessant peepingof the ducks ceased instantly!

Just a few days later she enabled me to have a “first”.The jackdaw she killed with her first stoop fell intoa thick hedge so she immediately turned herattention to a passing crow, and caught it within40m of where the jackdaw fell. A left and a right!

Things came to a head a few weeks later - when shemissed her first rook. As I feared she didn’t eventhink about coming to look for me - but insteadwent on the lookout for another rook. I hared off,on foot, after her. The crops were standing tall andthe running was far from easy. I managed about amile before a combination of a weakening telemetrysignal; the many hedge crossings and a serious caseof nettle stings and thistle scratches convinced meto return for the Jeep.

By the time I got in the car I had reached the pointof questioning my involvement in falconry in thefirst place. Whilst running back I had been pokedin the eye with a twig and been attacked by yetmore bloody nettles!


THE HAGGARD

THE HAGGARD

7THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - SEPTEMBER 2010


I roared off down the lane with the telemetry onthe seat next to me. I got ahead of the signal within20 minutes and pinned her down to a field behinda farmhouse. I knocked at the door of thefarmhouse and explained my predicament to thefarmer’s wife. She just said “I can see you areworried - go where ever you want”. The kindnessof this stranger was much appreciated.

The falcon was sat on the remains of a crow in themiddle of a sheep field. I got within 10 feet of herbefore she took off and flew into a tree a fewhundred yards away. Cursing myself for not justwinding her up straight away I decided that since itwas already 7pm, I might as well leave her andreturn in the morning.

After a sleepless night I returned at 5am to findthat she had already nailed another crow! I triedwinding her up on her kill but she was so twitchy Icouldn’t get close and she flew into a tree for thenext 40 minutes, she then returned to the kill andagain I couldn’t get close enough to wind her up.

The scenario of her coming down every 40 minutesand me failing to get close enough to wind her upcontinued 3 further times. I was running out ofideas! I called Mima on my mobile and outlinedmy plan. I had decided that if I wound her upwhilst sat in the Jeep, then she wouldn’t be sospooked. I thought I had worked out all the anglesand I had convinced myself I had discovered afabulous new technique. Jemima’s comment was“Do you really think that is going to work?”

My confidence level dropped a peg or two! Mimareminded me that this was a wild bird and wasmeant to be released and suggested that if I didn’tget her back within an hour to leave her to it. Itook her advice (who wouldn’t?!) but kept myfingers crossed that I could release her without anyjesses on, and I wanted my new transmitter back!

40 minutes later she came down to her crow againand I started the engine. Round and round I drove- seemingly getting faster every time - but it wasworking. I jumped out and grabbed her as shetried to fly off - success!!

As I was untangling a very angry falcon from thecreance I turned to see the Jeep rolling off downthe hill! I sprinted after it carrying a screamingfalcon and dragging 20 metres of creance - I onlyjust made it - next time Charlie; put it in Park notNeutral!

A quick trip to see the farmer’s wife and tocheekily ask if I could come hawking there again(yes I could) and off home for bacon and eggs.

I released the falcon a few days later. She went asplanned - no jesses, no bells and no transmitter. As the ungrateful old cow flew off over the YorkshireWolds without a backward glance - I had an epiphany:I want another long wing!

THE HAGGARD

THE HAGGARD



UKFC AFFLIATED CLUBS

The Great Lakes Falconers Association (GLFA)was founded in 1962 by a handful of localIllinois falconers. GLFA is a not-for-profitorganization dedicated to our native birds ofprey and to the sport of falconry. Our officersdraw no salaries and we operate on volunteerenergy.

GLFA is very active in falconry legislativeefforts at not only the state level but also incities and municipalities across Illinois. Ourclub sponsors picnics, flight demos, a gamedinner and group hunting parties. We areinvolved in educating the public by manningbooths at fairs, conducting lectures forinterested groups such as scouts,bird groups,schools, or others. We accept interviews fornews publications and magazines in order toeducate people about falconry. All GLFAactivities are family oriented, as many familiesare directly involved in the sport of falconry.

For newcomers serious about the sport, GLFAoffers much in the way of assistance to theeducation needed, the equipment required andthrough our club sponsored activities, anopportunity to meet and mingle with otherfalconers who may be open to sponsorship.Please check the Links page for moreinformation.

GLFA has supported the Chicago PeregrineRelease program and in 1988 donated aPeregrine Falcon named Jess-A-Belle in the

hope that someday there would be asustainable wild population of birds breedingright here in the Chicagoland area and shewould be one of them. She has since raised anumber of downtown Peregrines!.

We are affiliated with the American FalconryConservancy (AFC) and the UK FFalconryClub

Membership InformationMembership is open to any interested party atleast 14 years of age. But only licensedfalconers from Illinois are considered votingmembers.

The membership dues are: $25 per year for individual US residents,$30 for US families, $35 per year for individual Internationalmembership, $40 International family.

If you would like to join, please fill out anapplication and mail it along with a check ormoney order to:

Great Lakes Falconers' AssociationPO BOX 127Batavia, IL 60510For more information, please contact us [email protected] or via thewebsite: www.greatlakesfalconers.org

TheGreat LakesFalconersAssociation

11

UKFC AFFLIATED CLUBS

THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB - SEPTEMBER 2010


THE BLAIR DRUMMOND FALCONRY FESTIVAL

THE UK FALAT THE BLAFALCONRY

Having been invited by Ross Bibby, the organiserof the Blair Drummond Falconry Festival severalmonths ago to sell some of my American Hoods &Bells, I decided that I would help promote the UKFalconry Club over the border.

So, on Friday evening with my son and ‘Loki’ myPR Goshawk loaded safely in his box and with aselection of equipment I was hoping to sell, alongcopies of THE CHASE and membership forms Iheaded north from South Wales to Scotland.

After, a long 9 hour drive I arrived at UKFC clubmember, Alec May’s house at 5am to be welcomedwith a hot cup of coffee and a Scottish breakfast.

So after a long chat and unloading ‘Loki’ andplacing him in Alec’s mews. We headed fromLauder to Blair Drummond Safari Park which was about an hour’s drive away.

On arriving at Blair Drumond we were greeted byRoss at the gate and directed to our pitch betweenthe RSPB & Falconry Electronics.

Taking a few minutes to mock up some repairs tothe pop up marquee - ‘remember to carry duck tapefor all eventualities!’

The marquee was erected and the tables laid outwith copies of the CHASE and falconry equipmentfrom Ben Crance & Salman Ali along with myAmerican Hoods & Bells.

The Festival area had a selection of stands such asGalloway Falconry, Falconry Electronics, RSPB, The Independent Bird Register, Rhuallan Raptors,Countryside Alliance, The British Falconers Cluband the Scottish Hawking Club with theirChairman Andrew Knowles-Brown with hismagnificent hybrid Ornate x Goldie.

Even though the ‘Festival’ was small it did give thevisiting falconers to opportunity to catch up anddiscuss the season ahead over a few beers and avenison burger or two.

I met up with several forum members and a fewUKFC members and hopefully converted a fewover to the UKFC in the coming months.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the falconry displaysgiven by the team at Blair Drummond but was givensome favourable reports by the club members andRoss Bibby’s Sakeret receiving high praise fromseveral falconers.

Throughout the day, I had a steady stream ofcustomers and even managed to extract a fewpounds out of ‘Mickey Dredd’s’ wallet!

But, it was an enjoyable little fair and a great dayout for the family being set in the Safari Park and I for one will be heading north again next Augustto support the Blair Drummond Falconry Festival.

Well done, Ross & all the Blair Drummond team!

Normal Safari Park admission prices apply, no additional charge for the Festival.

The park will open at 10.00am and will close at 5.30pm.

www.blairdrummond.com

Tel: 01786 841 456

• Falconry Displays • Falconry Equipment Suppliers • Falconry Clubs •

• Presentation on the East Coast Sea Eagle Reintroduction Project •

7th August 2010Falconry Festival

THE BLAIR DRUMMOND FALCONRY FESTIVAL

15

LCONRY CLUBAIR DRUMMONDFESTIVAL BY NEIL DAVIES


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PENNY MY IMPRINT SPARROWHAWK

PENNY MY IMPRINTSPARROWHAWK BY JEN WISEWell as I write this I am reminiscing overthe last couple of months. Penny is my firstsparrowhawk, and a major success in myeyes. When I first got Penny I debatedwhich way I was going to imprint her, tome aggression would not be an issue onceshe had matured but at the same time itwas important that she could be wellmannered and acceptable where possible,noise was also no real issue for me.

As an imprint, Penny came anywhere andeverywhere with me. She was handled byeveryone possible, came on all the carjourneys, met a large array of dogs, grew upwith a friend’s imprint Peregrine falcon,cuddled up with cats, watched televisionwhilst laid on my lap, slept on the arm ofthe sofas, attended BFC meets, sat andwatched the world go by whilst growinginto a big, noisy Sparrowhawk. Hercontinuous supply of food appeared fromnowhere, making sure she didn’t associateme with food.

As she grew older she flapped in and out ofher nest, played with Piper the peregrine,covered the house in fluffy down, ended upon our bed numerous times and providedme with a full time job! She was great funand very entertaining. She preenedconstantly and her appearance waschanging every time we looked at her.

Once she was nearly hard-penned I had herout in the garden and getting her flying tomy fist, that lasted about two days and Robhad me taking her out on the creance. Shelasted on the creance about 5 minutes andthen we let her free. She had some flights

from trees and it wasn’t long before she waschasing things.

She entered at 47 days old on her first magpiewhich she chased after just before she grabbedit in a tree. The next day she took anotherin good style, rising from below it to catchit in the air. The next day I flew her at acrow which she nailed but I didn’t get toher in time so unfortunately she lost it andit’s affected her confidence on them but tobe honest, I’d rather she left them alone. AsI write this her current tally is 14 magpies.

As for her behaviour, she’s a diamond in myopinion. I won’t deny that she can be noisybut what can you expect from an imprintsparrowhawk who wants to go out?

She quietens down once she’s killed andbeen fed up. She also makes noise whenshe’s in your company but that’s whatimprints do and I wouldn’t expect any less– it doesn’t bother me anyhow.

She can be slightly aggressive sometimes,mainly when there’s food involved. She’lltry and launch herself at dogs and Rob ifhe’s taking photos of her if she is on a kill.She will occasionally be a bit grumpy ifshe’s eating, trying to make sure that noone steals her food by making plenty ofnoise and puffing herself up. When she’s ona kill she will be fine with me but getsdefensive with Rob and other people/dogsbut when she’s feeding on my glove she’llget grumpy with me but will let Rob doanything to her.

Penny is my first imprint Accipiter but shecertainly won’t be my last!

PENNY MY IMPRINT SPARROWHAWK



ORLA - GOLDEN EAGLE

ORLAFEMALE GOLDEN EAGLE

BY STEWART ROBINSON

When I was asked if I would write an article on”Orla”, I thought for a long time before agreeing.The main reason being, there are many, many,“falconers” who have a vast amount of knowledgeand experience with eagles, who would write moreinformative articles with more interesting content.What changed my mind was the fact that this isabout my personal experience with one veryspecial bird. I count myself privileged to be in theposition of having such a magnificent raptor as acompanion, when, under normal circumstances, Iwould be unlikely to be considered as a candidateby a breeder.

I will not dwell on the circumstances surroundingthe position I find myself in, I will only refer tothose when they have a bearing on this story.

Where to begin? I suppose I had better start at thetime I first clapped eyes on a real live GoldenEagle. Orla was in her weathering, lookingmenacing, and me looking at her, thinking, “thereis no way I am ever going near her”. My firstphysical contact was in early ’05. Brian, (thefounder of the centre, and the person who was toprove my mentor), decided it would be a good ideafor me to hold Orla and get an idea of how heavyand powerful she was. I had a stick under my wrist,a Martin Jones Eagle glove with a thick overlay onmy hand, and Brian placed her on the glove. I heldher at arm’s length. She gripped hard; the power I

felt from her feet was unbelievable. Her crown wasup, really hacked off. Then Brian removed thestick. The weight was totally unexpected. My firstencounter.

Another time I was involved, more closely, wasgiving Brian assistance to change her anklets. I wasbricking it. Orla was on Brian’s glove, and he askedme to remove the old anklets and put on the newones. Now, having experienced the power of thefeet through the glove, the last thing I needed wasa hacked off eagle with a free foot. Surprisingly, theoperation was carried out without blood loss. I wassimply in awe of such a powerful animal.

My first regular contact with Orla was in July ’05.Brian, seriously ill, did not have the strength to lifther. And, having found out about the activities ofhis “centre manager”, who was told to leave, therewas no one else there to handle her. The first time Iwent to enter the weathering; she dropped herwing, stared at me, and dared me to get close. Ihave never sweated so much. I had no idea whatwould happen. I marched in, quickly grabbed thejesses, got her on the glove, and lifted her out.Phew. Brian had always said, “don’t hesitate, andget straight in, if you don’t, she will pick up on it”.

Thereafter, there were many more experiences. All the time, my confidence in handling her grew.She started to call when she saw me. She wouldrouse and preen on the glove, but all the time, she

ORLA - GOLDEN EAGLE



ORLA - FEMALE GOLDEN EAGLE

was more relaxed with Brian. This is understandable, as he was the one who she had initially bonded to.

We now jump to Sep’ ’06. Brian had been told inJune that he was terminally ill, 18 months at themost. In September, he had a morphine pumpfitted. He knew then it would not be very long. Thefirst night he was on the pump, high as a kite, hesaid he wanted to see “the bitch” fly. “Get herflying, I will tell you how, just get her flying”. So itstarted. I had dropped her weight to 9 _ lbs.Another thing Brian told me was, in the earlystages, “keep your head level with hers, don’t lether think she is superior by being higher”. I startedpresenting food on the glove. She would pick it upand drop it on the ground. This went on for aweek, all the time bringing her weight down. Bearin mind, Brian was present most of the time. It wasas if she was looking to him for approval. On theSunday, I tried something new, a rabbit’s leg. WhenI presented it, she turned her back to me, mantled,gripped, and I thought, “she is going to do meserious harm”. After five minutes, she was lettingme hold the leg, turning it in the glove to let hertear small pieces of meat from the bone, and nosign of aggression. My thoughts on this now arethat I was breaking into the relationship betweenOrla and Brian, she, in my mind, resented this.Because Brian was present, it made the processmore difficult.

The next part of the training was the “jumping”perch to perch. Brian had told me, “the bird musthave the confidence in her ability to control herflight before she will fly to the fist, never start bygetting them to jump to the glove”. I started withtwo perches, about six feet apart, placed the foodon one, and tied to the creance, started to get herto jump. What a nightmare. She would call, drool,but simply would not jump. I started to drop herweight again, all the time, taking her out every dayto gauge response. After about three days, using therabbit leg again, she jumped to the perch. What afeeling. Brian was watching from the other side ofthe stream, I could see him laughing and giving the“thumbs up”.

I gradually increased the distance between the perchesuntil she was flying 50 yards, on command. Herweight at this time was 9lbs. The more exercise shegot, the fitter she became, and the higher the weightshe would respond at. At this time I was flying heron the creance, attached to the swivel by a strongclip. One day, I don’t know yet how it happened,the clip fractured. Orla landed on the perch, thejesses swung under the T-bar, and the clip flippedout. She was standing, totally free, ten yards from me.PANIC, I walked slowly over, grabbed her jesses,and tied her to the glove. Thereafter, it was thecreance attached by a falconers’ knot.

Then, the big test. Would she fly to the glove? I needn’t have worried. First call, straight to theglove. As my confidence grew, and the trust grew,the time came to fly her free. I prepared the food,put the bag over my shoulder, and took Orla intothe flying field. This was the day. Brian was reallyill at this time. This was the penultimate time hewould be at the centre. It was a Wednesday. Brianwas watching from the car park. I placed Orla onthe perch, removed her equipment, walked acrossthe field about 20 yards, food on glove, lookedround, and whistled. Off the perch and straight tothe glove. I walked her back to the perch andrepeated the process a few times, increasing thedistance. Next thing I knew, Brian was in the field,camera in hand, taking photos of everything. Lyingon the ground, taking snaps of her flying over him.He was like a kid, smiling and laughing, there werea few f ’s in the sentences. I was grinning from earto ear. As I carried Orla back to the centre, Brianwas on the other side of the bridge over thestream. Orla had her head over my shoulder, thehook on her beak on my back, and her wingsdrooped around me. As I got to Brian, he said,“I’ve never f*****g seen anything like that before, shelikes you”.

Two days later, on the Friday, I think it was the 10thof October; it was Brian’s last day out of the house.He saw Orla fly free for the last time. He stood justoutside the entrance to the centre, looking reallydown. He didn’t even venture to the bridge. I tookOrla back in at the end of the session. Brian was

23





sitting in the office, one of the girls said that hewas really cut up, sitting in the chair, breaking hisheart. It was a very emotional day, I suppose Ididn’t realise until a few weeks later, that therewere a number of reasons for his emotions. Forone, I think he realised he would not see the birdsor the centre again. Secondly, he saw me flyingOrla, something he had never managed to do.Third, he knew, because of the bond that wasforming, I would never let her go to anyone else.

Brian passed away on the 26th October 2006, aged 41 years and 6 months.

One of the main problems I had from thebeginning was my inability to manage a regulartraining regime. My work involved a lot oftravelling, early starts, late finishes, and lots ofmiles. I always had to make sure I got into thecentre every day to check the birds, feed, do a bit ofcleaning etc. Not very often could I arrange forsomeone to cover for me. Weekends were easier,volunteers helped immensely.

After Brian passed away, I would do as much workwith Orla as possible. I had to watch her weightclosely, as there were sometimes many days ofinactivity. The heaviest I had her flying at wasaround 11lbs – 11lbs 4 oz. This was just casualflying, exercising, just to keep her relatively fresh.August 2007 was when Brian’s widow decided tosell up. It had been a difficult time, for me, it wasbeing in the position of having to look after thecentre the best I could, without having directcontrol over what should be done. Thankfully, Iwas given time to try and find some way of fundingthe purchase of the centre.

January 2008. Early retirement, pensions cashed in,and a complete life change.

The centre had become pretty run down over theprevious eighteen months. The birds were healthy,but could have been in much better condition.Circumstances had dictated how much work hadbeen done with the birds. With so much workrequired within the centre, a rough schedule wasdrafted with targets and timetables. Orla’s schedule

was to leave her until after the moult, and starttraining in September / October 2008.

In May 2008, our landlord advised us that we werebeing relocated. One of the main requirements putupon the landlord was access to our flyinggrounds. However, due to a long running disputewith the neighbouring farmer, the landlord wasrefused access, thereby removing any chance wehad to fly birds adjacent to the centre. The farmerwas good enough to come and explain hisposition. If I had gone to him myself, there wouldnot have been a problem, as it had been the ownerof the garden centre, it was a matter of principle.One with which I agreed with the farmer. I thenhad to speak to the other local farmers to get flyingground. We obtained permission to fly in one ofthe nearby woods, a short term solution, but notideal. Eventually, I was told I could fly on one ofthe other farmer’s grounds, anytime, anywhere,hundreds of acres of open fields, rolling hillside,and copses, perfect. This happened in February2010. I think I realised back in May 2008, witheverything that was going on, the impending moveetc, that I would be unlikely to get Orla fit, flying,and hunting much before September 2010.

All the time, from January 2008, manning has beenvery much a never-ending routine. One of thethings I started trying in early ’09, was “foodinterference”. I had noticed Orla’s reactions todifferent food. With recognisable “prey” food, shewould take the food, mantle, and generally warnme off. If you have seen an Eagle mantled, chestout, head up and back, with it’s back towards you,you will recognise what an intimidating sight it is.I decided I had to try to get her to accept me in theweathering when she had this type of food. At first,I would stand just outside, and watch her eat. Shenever took her eyes off me. Through time, I wouldgradually get nearer to her, just to gauge herreaction. Over a few weeks, it got to the stagewhere I was right beside her perch. She wouldstand and eat, without any reaction. The next, andfinal phase, was to touch the food while she waseating. It started with throwing the food in, let hertake it to the perch, walk in to the weathering and


25

stand beside the perch. I then crouched down andplaced my hand on the edge of the perch. She reactedslightly at this, not as much as I expected. I graduallymoved my hand closer to the food, watching hervery closely. I put my hand on the rabbit, left itthere for a few minutes, then walked out.

The next night, I repeated the process, up to thepoint where my hand was resting on the food. Thistime, I moved the carcass, just a few inches. Orlawatched the food being moved, then started eatingagain. I waited a few minutes, and moved it acrossto the other side of the perch. Again, she watched,then, started eating. The following night, she waseating small pieces from my thumb nail, evenwhen most of the meat was still on the carcass. I have repeated this many times over the months,just to reinforce the idea that I am not a threat toher food.

A development from the above process is assistance.Often, when she has finished the food she has beengiven, she will be on the ground, looking for smallpieces to eat. Noticing this, I thought, “If I show Iam willing to help, she should see me as assistingher. So, I would go into her weathering, get downon the ground, and look for tiny pieces of food forher. If I found any, I would put it on the perch, andshe would eat it. I imagine it must have lookedreally strange. Me on my hands and knees, beingfollowed by an Eagle, looking at the groundintensely for tiny bits of food, and her moaningaway.

There have been a few scary moments over the lastfew years. September ’07. I managed to get to thecentre around lunch time. I did my normal walkround, checking the pens and aviaries. I walked upto Orla’s weathering, looked in, and almost brickedit. Her leash was on the ground, unattached.Double take. I calmly walked to the equipmentshed, got the glove and a leash, walked calmlydown and into the weathering, and secured her.She had obviously been free most of the night, andall morning. Yet, still standing on the perch. I stilldo not know to this day why the leash broke. I wasjust grateful she was still there.

Another time, May ‘08. We had a static display forthe National Park nature week. As usual, Orla wasthe main attraction. I had gone to the van to eatmy lunch. I had only been gone a few minuteswhen one of the volunteers banged on the window,shouting, Orla has gone. I jumped out of the van,went to the perch, everything had gone. Tetheringring, leash, and Golden Eagle. Everyone was saying,“She is over there”. At the far end of the car park,about three hundred yards away. I called her. Sheturned to face me, then waited while I walked over,picked her up, then carried her back. As we walkeddown, she hooked my back with her beak, droppedher wings, and whimpered all the way to the van. It seems what happened was. She started bating,looking for me. The bating broke the weld on thering, and off she went. She had circled overhead,looking down, then decided to fly over to the carpark and land. I can only assume, she was lookingfor me, couldn’t see me, then decided it would bebetter for me to find her, than the other way round.A scary moment indeed.

I know I still have a long way to go with her. Thehooding, fitness, and weight control. I have spokento a few Eagle Hawkers, relating the relationship,experiences, training etc. Some say she is as near“bombproof” as you can get. Others would disagree.Still, one can never assume that nothing will go wrong.There is still much work to do. All I know is, I findmyself in a privileged position, working with sucha magnificent creature, and learning together. I dohope I will have many experiences to relate in thefuture. I will try to illustrate the relationship that canbe formed between a person that tries to understand,and a creature that remains an enigma to many.

Loch Lomond Bird of Prey CentreStirling Road, Ballagan, Near Balloch, Alexandria,Dunbartonshire G83 8NB.Telephone : 07751-862416www.lochlomondbirdofpreycentre.co.uk


PRODUCT REVIEWS

I purchased a Pendleton glove for my son last yearat the Festival from Doug Pineo’s stand.

I was impressed by the quality and feel of the gloveand I had heard plenty of favourable reports aboutthese gloves on the forums.

Actually even had reports of someone copyingthese gloves and passing them off as Pineo’s -flattery indeed!

However, there is one minor niggle I would like tohave on the glove an eyelet to attach the leash tothe glove - OK I hear you say, do your own! but surely this should be addressed by themanufacturer, but I hasten to add, it is a minor niggle.

I have had this glove for over a year now and it hasshown little wear and my son uses it his American

Kestrel and with my falcons and so far hasn’tsuffered any damage or punctures from talons.

So if you are looking for a simple single thicknessglove I would recommend the Pendleton, especiallyfor the longwinger and I will be purchasing anotherone for myself later this month when I see Carl -Gamehawker at the Midland Game Fair.

Price: £30.00 plus P&P

The Pineo Pendleton Glove is available fromGamehawker Ltd - www.dogtran.co.uk

or direct from Doug Pineo -www.pineofalconry.com

Pineo Pendleton GloveReviewed by Neil Davies

As recomme

PRODUCT REVIEWS

Noble Bells Reviewed by Neil Davies

I have to say from the off I have a vested interest inthis review because I now sell Dave’s bells to theUK Falconry Club & Forum Members. But, I willbe as objective as I can be.

Having been a long time user of Ricardo Velardebells and still use them on my female Gyr Saker. I came across Dave Noble’s bells at the FalconryFair a couple of years ago and was impressed withtheir tone and manufacturer. So I purchased acouple of small bells and used one on a tiercel as atail bell.

The tone was equal to the Velarde, but significantlycheaper, with a pair of the Velarde’s costing me£32.00 and a pair of Noble bells £18.00.

The tiercel used the bell for the season and the bellwas still in good condition after the season and Iwill use it again this season on my male Goshawk.

But, don’t take my word for it ask your fellowfalconers what they think of Noble bells and youwill find many using and recommending them.

So if you are looking for Noble Bells they arereadily available within the UK from variousretailers including myself.

Price: £18.00 inc P&P

Noble Bells are available from Neil Davies.email: [email protected]

or from the following please check with suppliersfor prices and P&P:www.crownfalconry.co.ukwww.westwealdfalconry.co.ukwww.westernsporting.com

Coming up next month:Falcon Fabrications Hawk Box

Gamehawker Loop Perch ended...


28 THE CHASE - THE NEWSLETTER OF THE UK FALCONRY CLUB -SEPTEMBER 2010

The UK Falconry Club & Forum and Neil Davies offers oneforum/club member the opportunity of winning a pair ofmedium sized Dave Noble bells by simply answering thefollowing question.

Q. Who wrote the book ‘Kes’?

Send your answers to [email protected]

The Winner* will be drawn from the entries received beforethe 25th September 2010 and will be notified by email andthe results of the draw will feature in next month’s issue of THE CHASE.

*T&C’s - The editor’s decision is final and the draw is only open to the UK Falconry Cluband forum members. No other alternative prize will be offered to the winner. Only one entry per member. Competition closes midnight 25th September 2010.

WINa pair of Dave Noble’s

Falconry Bells Size 5

COMPETITION

[email protected]

WWW.MASTERSOFTHEMEWS.CO.UK

Long Bow Perch High

31

Suppliers to Falconry& Hunting EnthusiastsWe are manufacturers of quality falconry productsat affordable prices we supply to the general publicand to the trade.

If you have a specific project or piece of equipmentwe can fabricate anything you want and refine it toyour requirements.

Manufacturers of:

• Blocks, Baths & Perches

• Travel Boxes & Hawking Bags

• Jesses, Lures & Leashes

• Gloves, Hoods, Tail guards

• Swivels, Bells & Bewits

• Lanyards & Casting Jackets

Orders can be placed via email, phone or in personat our workshop (Appointment required)

We cater for all sizes of bird from Merlins orSparrowhawks and up to Golden Eagles.

All enquires welcome and we look forward to doingbusiness with you.

Masters of the Mews41 Meadow Mills Industrial Estate

Dixon Street, KidderminsterWorcestershire DY10 1HH

Callers by appointment only

TELEPHONE: 01562 744379

Ring Perch


CLUB NEWS

Club NewsUKFC at Midland Game Fair,Weston Park, Shropshire TF11 8LEThe UK Falconry Club will at the Midland Game Fair, Falconry Village on the 18thand 19th September 2010. Hope to see you there.Remember to pre-book your tickets at the website address below and save ££££’s onthe gate. www.countrymanfairs.co.uk/midland-game-fair

BBQThe UK Falconry Club will be holding a Summer BBQ in September 10th - 11th atRhosllefain, Tywyn, Gwynedd LL36 9ND. If any members wish to attend, please contact Ben Crane for further [email protected] hope you can come along and meet the committee.

UK Falconry Club CommitteePresident - Ben Crane, Vice-President - Neil Hunter, Chairman - Lee Featherstone,

Vice-Chairman - Martin Whitley, Secretary - Steven Lambert, Treasurer - Tommy Miles,

Membership Secretary - Jan Hart, Legal Officer - Mike Roberts,

Events & Publicity - Charlie Heap, Newsletter Editor - Neil Davies,

Field Meet Officer - Kevin Massey, Assistant Field Meet Officer - Joe Hatton,

Membership is now available onlineIf you wish to join the UK Falconry Club you can now apply and pay online at theclubs forum www.ukfalconryforum.com

Membership fees are per year and include Public Liability Insurance for Full &Associate Members:

Full Members £32, Associate Members £32 and Supporter member £17

the uk falconry club supports the campaign for falconry

the chase - september 2010

Documents

uk falconry club

ukfalconry club

online newsletter

online newsletter

right eye

haggard female peregrine

breeding female

neil forbesfor