Attachment of bells at hunting spar

[Wilfred]

Since Robert already started some question related to telemetry and spars, i just continue with some question i already wanted to post here but also some related to the telemetry. Both are about attachments.

Fact is i have a sender of about 3 grams but it is basically leg attachment. Would like to know from people who already hunted with spars whether this kind of attachment is OK for hunting with a spar. Besides, i would like to know whether tail attachment is (much) better (actually i think so but just got the leg attachment transmitter) and if so why.

Then about bells...actually about same question. Andy Peels has sent me some excellent falconry bells they are definitely the best bells i ever had qua sound. And it are spar size bells. I would like to hear, again from falconers who did or do hunt with their spars, what would be the best place to attach the bell to a spar while hunting.

I would be most interested in responses where both the bells and the telemetry is attached and why. Also since i can imagine that if the bell is attached to the leg the transmitter better tail. Or other way round.

[Jack Merlin]

Since Robert already started some question related to telemetry and spars, i just continue with some question i already wanted to post here but also some related to the telemetry. Both are about attachments.

Fact is i have a sender of about 3 grams but it is basically leg attachment. Would like to know from people who already hunted with spars whether this kind of attachment is OK for hunting with a spar. Besides, i would like to know whether tail attachment is (much) better (actually i think so but just got the leg attachment transmitter) and if so why.

Then about bells...actually about same question. Andy Peels has sent me some excellent falconry bells they are definitely the best bells i ever had qua sound. And it are spar size bells. I would like to hear, again from falconers who did or do hunt with their spars, what would be the best place to attach the bell to a spar while hunting.

I would be most interested in responses where both the bells and the telemetry is attached and why. Also since i can imagine that if the bell is attached to the leg the transmitter better tail. Or other way round.

I would attach a bell to a single tail (deck) feather with nylon thread or dental floss. Also, the (micro) transmitter the same way, probably on the feather next to the bell.

A sparrowhawk will often follow quarry into thick bushes. When it does this, it is travelling horizontally, pushing forward with its feet and legs. Any leg bell will be hanging down just waiting to get caught in a Vee shaped twig or small branch.

Put it on the tail and the body has passed any obstruction first, making it more likely the tail (with bell) will follow. If the hawk gets lost and is caught by the tail bell, the worst that can happen is the hawk will lose a feather rather than its life.

I have also heard good reports of bells/transmitters being mounted on the neck, like a jangoali, using a rubber band. I have used this for bells and found it worked OK, but preferred the tail bell.

[Wilfred]

Jack Merlin. Thanx a lot for this info. Actually I hoped at least some response from you and also Blackbird (will follow probably ;-) ) since i regard both of you as the most experienced and best falconers being here. Although I regarded the responses tail amount for tail and bell probably also most logical (also because i indeed also heard and read and asked before) i am just curious about maybe some new ideas qua details. Like maybe other ways of tail amount then regularly used with bigger bops

So there is my further detailing the question. I suppoe i have to find a way to let the transmitter the smallest one restyle from leg amount to tail amount. Maybe some people here did that changing or know some way to attach that might be different from the comparitively big tail clip normally used for tail attachement of the transmitter. Is there anyone here who did use tail attachement with spar or similar small bird of prey before? and then with the clip attachement or some better, lighter, own kind of attachement? Like with all the attachments and material i am looking for smart solutions weighting as less as possible also.

[Jack Merlin]

I suppoe i have to find a way to let the transmitter the smallest one restyle from leg amount to tail amount. Maybe some people here did that changing or know some way to attach that might be different from the comparitively big tail clip normally used for tail attachement of the transmitter. Is there anyone here who did use tail attachement with spar or similar small bird of prey before? and then with the clip attachement or some better, lighter, own kind of attachement? Like with all the attachments and material i am looking for smart solutions weighting as less as possible also.

Have a word with the people at Biotrack (http://www.biotrack.co.uk).

I spoke to them a year or so ago about a transmitter for a sparrowhawk and I think they have a very tiny one (at least equivalent to the Marshall) that they recommend is lashed to a single feather with dental floss. It is left on permanently and may or may not have a switch that can be operated by a magnet.

This transmitter is left on 24/7 until it is moulted with the feather. Of course, it does not have a big range (1/2 mile??) but that is no problem with a spar.

Frankly, I forget the details of the advice but these people are experts and one of their top people is a falconer. They make transmitters for every size and species of animal, not just falconry. Also, I have found them to be extremely helpful and fast IF repairs are needed. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Email them and tell them exactly what you want. They will have the solution.