Spike - 2007 Imprint Male Golden Eagle

[Berkut]

Last year as most of you know I imprinted Elsa the female golden eagle.
I picked her up at 29 days weighing 5lb 7oz.She definately knew fear and although she came round in a couple of days,I never took her everywhere as I would normally do with an imprint gos for example.
As a result she was only ever really fed in the garden. Around hard penning time she developed aggression towards me,which developed into hatred. She had never seen me feed her, so I reckon it was a territorial/sibling type behaviour with me as the sibling.
Anyway she went to Tom( TLB )for a time to assess her behaviour with a new handler in new surroundings. The results were superb and she turned into the perfect imprint and her ownership transferred to Tom.

I was pleased for her ,pleased for Tom and satisfied that ,ultimately, I had made the right decision for Elsa and stand by that ,having seen her behaviour on her first hare.

Taking all the above into account, I felt I had sold myself short to a degree and I am now hoping to remedy that.
On the way home from the fair today I picked up Spike, a male Andrew Knowles-Brown golden eagle. He hatched on 22nd April (the day before my birthday) and weighed in today at 641 grams/Ilb 6.75 ounces.

He is my new project and will go everywhere with me,as an imprint gos would ,and hopefully I will personally see him through to hunting myself.


A couple of photographs to wet your appetite,and when they arrive I will post a couple of him with his natural mother earlier today.

Hope you enjoy the thread.

Regards,
Neil

[Sarah J]

The start of another great thread... :yawinkle:

[Accipter-Gentilis]

another quality thread in the making neil:yawinkle:

all the best with him.

[Elly]

Awww, he looks like a dodo :lol:

Seriously though, looking forward to having some decent reading material over the summer with this thread, having very much enjoyed reading about Elsa last time around. Im sure im not alone in having high hopes for that little fella and im sure you'll come good on it Neil. :supz:

ATB

[FlameHairedFalconer]

Looking forward to this thread Neil.

FHF

[Pitbull]

Just another reason to hate you. :lol:
Looking forward too the read.

[Gram]

Lovely looking chick Neil,im sure it will be a great read,good luck.

[RileyHall Falconry]

very nice i also have a andrew knowles brown goldiexsteppe nice birds indeed
it will be nice seein him grow up neil

lee

[Gyr]

Good luck neil, keep us posted m8:D

[Cyclone]

lol wooo ive been waiting for this :supz:!!!!
cyclone

[Isis]

You're a lucky ******* :twisted:
Keep us updated neil :yawinkle:

[GyrXPeales]

Hehehe! Now your talking Neil, I know nothing of eagles but I often wondered what would have happened if you had socialized Elsa a bit more. I know you imprint your birds almost exactly the same way as I do, and like you say they go everywhere with me, unless coat and tie are required of course. I know an eagle chick could be a bit more problematic of course, but I'm betting you're going to end up with one hell of a bird as a result.
I can't wait to follow your progress on this one my friend.
My very best,
Jeff

P.S. Earth to Lauren, it's not a dream it is in fact a baby eagle. I don't know who looks cuter there, you or the eaglet.:lol: Nice Photo!:supz:

[Paddy1]

really really looking forward to reading your updates with this one neil :goodman: :supz:

[Venividevenatio]

I am looking forward to this insight, that so many of us will never experience.

[Gos n GWP]

all the best neil with him hes in great hands will b looking foward 2 your posts mate,,,,,cheers lee

[GriffMJ]

Cracking bird Neil :D

[Big JoeJoe]

Neil it was really good meeting Lauren an yourself at the falconry fair. I recall you said you were picking up young Spike on your way back. He is te best of hands with you mate.

I like most people on here are looking forward to reading this thread. :supz: :supz:

Hope to see him fly sometime in the future.:supz: :supz:

Cheers Joe

[JayHawk]

Neil, it was great to meet you at the fair after reading all your cracking threads.... i am looking forward to this one, im sure it'll be a belter.

jay.

[Jastreb]

This great and great thread is coming :D :D

Cheers Viktor

[Berkutchi]

Hehehe! Now your talking Neil, I know nothing of eagles but I often wondered what would have happened if you had socialized Elsa a bit more. I know you imprint your birds almost exactly the same way as I do, and like you say they go everywhere with me, unless coat and tie are required of course. I know an eagle chick could be a bit more problematic of course, but I'm betting you're going to end up with one hell of a bird as a result.
I can't wait to follow your progress on this one my friend.
My very best,
Jeff

P.S. Earth to Lauren, it's not a dream it is in fact a baby eagle. I don't know who looks cuter there, you or the eaglet.:lol: Nice Photo!:supz:

Hehe, Jeff - it is a dream in the guise of fuzzball. :lol:

I never thought I'd be able to interact with and socialize an eyass golden so soon. I thought it would be years before I'd get to experience such a wonderful thing.

In a NAFA Journal from some years ago, I had read of Alan Gates pulling his female eagle Maria from an eyrie in Scotland in the 70's - what an inspiration! To say I'm looking forward to watching this little eaglet clomp around, get his bearings, grow, learn, and develop mentally and physically - well, that is just a huge understatement! :grin:

And I have to agree, Jeff. Neil's dedication, especially to the details, will no doubt turn out one hell of a hunting eagle.

Cheers!

--Lauren

PS - BigJoeJoe - it was great to finally meet you at the Fair as well!

[Hacker]

Examundo matey!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a blast with this one Neil:!:
Just keep us posted and call me when he is hunting m8!
Richard

[TimDog80]

neil so glad you decided to do this thread mate:yawinkle: , ill eagerly look forward to his progress and learn a thing or two in doing so mate:D

best of luck in the making of a quality eagle!!!!...... not that lucks needed;)

tim:D

[Hound]

good luck neil and keep us posted on how he does

[Berkut]

Left a dish of food beside him while he slept.He woke up and polished most of it off. Off to sleep again full up. First time he,s seen the dish as he has been fed by his mother till today.

[ReluctantTwitcher]

Awww, he looks like a dodo :lol:

Seriously though, looking forward to having some decent reading material over the summer with this thread, having very much enjoyed reading about Elsa last time around. Im sure im not alone in having high hopes for that little fella and im sure you'll come good on it Neil. :supz:

ATB

My thoughts exactly. Well said, Elly!

Cheers,
/Magnus

[GosFlyer]

neil, you are a glutton for punishment. another great thread in the making, i would love to hear the wind going through his primaries as he stooped to a hare, perhaps in the autumn i may do just that when i come up to dougies:lol: .

[Berkut]

neil, you are a glutton for punishment. another great thread in the making, i would love to hear the wind going through his primaries as he stooped to a hare, perhaps in the autumn i may do just that when i come up to dougies:lol: .

Mick,
You are always welcome.Hoping to do a bit stalking with Dougie also.;)

[ReluctantTwitcher]

Hehe, Jeff - it is a dream in the guise of fuzzball. :lol:

I never thought I'd be able to interact with and socialize an eyass golden so soon. I thought it would be years before I'd get to experience such a wonderful thing.

In a NAFA Journal from some years ago, I had read of Alan Gates pulling his female eagle Maria from an eyrie in Scotland in the 70's - what an inspiration! To say I'm looking forward to watching this little eaglet clomp around, get his bearings, grow, learn, and develop mentally and physically - well, that is just a huge understatement! :grin:

And I have to agree, Jeff. Neil's dedication, especially to the details, will no doubt turn out one hell of a hunting eagle.

Cheers!

--Lauren

PS - BigJoeJoe - it was great to finally meet you at the Fair as well!

Loved the photo of you & Spike, Lauren. The only problem is your making me green with envy over here (well, not really but you know what I mean) - talk about prospects for a rewarding summer break! But then again, going by your posts and Neils appreciative comments about you as an "apprentice eagler", you sure seem to have earned your right to such a privilege. All the best to the both of you, and thanks for sharing. Cheers!

/Magnus

[KiteTrainer]

Awww, he looks like a dodo :lol:

Seriously though, looking forward to having some decent reading material over the summer with this thread, having very much enjoyed reading about Elsa last time around. Im sure im not alone in having high hopes for that little fella and im sure you'll come good on it Neil. :supz:

ATB

Did you say dodo

[Greg]

Looking foreward to seeing the little guy Niel, better tell Lauren if she keeps smiling that that hard she will get stuck!

[Kentish Falconry]

Nice one Neil you played that close to your chest M8 :lol:
All the best to you, Lauren and John who I am sure will be helping you overcome the Elsa problems, the more people he See's and the more places will help him become stable so at a young age should cure your aggression problems that you experienced with Elsa and that should make a great all round Eagle and if that don't work Ring Me first :lol:
Terry :supz: :supz:

[MickeyDredd]

Did you say dodo

de da da da!! ;) :lol:

good luck Neil!

[Rusty83]

hey neil it was great meeting you at the fair.
best of luck with the new arrival..... i'll follow this thread with great intrest!!

Russ.

[PaulWar3]

Good luck with the new goldie Neil:supz:
Make sure there's plenty of pics with the posts.

Paul

[Lady]

He's stunning. Can't wait to see pics of him growing up. :heart: :heart:

[JuliaK]

Another great thread,neil.
Good luck with him, can't wait to see him growing up:)

[Dude]

cute little goldie :)

[AngelJakki]

Can't wait to read the progress. :supz:

[Oscar]

Hey Neil,

It was great to meet you and Lauren at the Fair. As we said your like a kiddy with a puppy just can't say no :lol:

Will be keeping a close eye on the forum for the thread, as you appear to have an excellent rep for posting corkers :supz:

All the best with Spike & hope to meet you again soon.


Oscar

[SakerYZF]

Awsome Neil , really looking forward to this one;-)

Chris.

[Elly]

Did you say dodo

I certainly did! You cant argue, thats exactly what he looks like.. :lol:

[Palmer]

Nice one mate! :yawinkle:

[Mac]

another totally enganging thread in the making.

looking forward to it.

sean

[Richard]

Looking good Neil, look forward to hearing progress :)

[Gary F]

here we go again,another great thread,,
good luck mate,,fingers crossed for you mate,it works out this time,,,
keep us updated and pics,,,
gary

[Berkut]

Photographs and weight later but I am amazed at his appetite.He has already eaten a quail and a half today.Travelling well on the front seat of the car.
If he,s not sleeping or eating,he,s preening.Wise decision aquiring him at this age.

[Palmer]

Photographs and weight later but I am amazed at his appetite.He has already eaten a quail and a half today.Travelling well on the front seat of the car.
If he,s not sleeping or eating,he,s preening.Wise decision aquiring him at this age.

:supz: 8-)
thought his name was tourus to start with, thats why i sent you that PM!

[Falcun]

Great thread, Good Luck with him cant wait to see some pictures of Taurus on a hare :D

[AlexB]

Neil,

Time for rsi with all the typing you'll have to do. You are a gluton for punishment but I bow down to your persistance with your birds. Can't wait to see how the bird and the thread develop.

ATB

Alex

[TimDog80]

Photographs and weight later but I am amazed at his appetite.He has already eaten a quail and a half today.Travelling well on the front seat of the car.
If he,s not sleeping or eating,he,s preening.Wise decision aquiring him at this age.
neil whats you plan for travelling arrangments whilst imprinting him?? youll probably need to turn the whole car/jeep into an imprint tank:lol:

best luck
tim:D

[Muddy.Waters]

Nice one Neil
yes i can see you doing well with the new member,Please keep us all informed with the progress ect 8-)

[Berkutchi]

Loved the photo of you & Taurus, Lauren. The only problem is your making me green with envy over here (well, not really but you know what I mean) - talk about prospects for a rewarding summer break! But then again, going by your posts and Neils appreciative comments about you as an "apprentice eagler", you sure seem to have earned your right to such a privilege. All the best to the both of you, and thanks for sharing. Cheers!

/Magnus

Cheers Magnus for the kind words - you're right, it'll be a downright fantastic summer break. I only wish I could stay all fall and winter - see Spike progess in the field and refine his hunting technique. Its an odd thought that, about this time two years ago, I had just taken a little eyass american kestrel in the states. Only slightly different :) . Oscar and Greg: It was certainly great to meet you at the Fair as well.

Here are two more pictures of the little fuzzbucket. Something about eyasses just makes you smile, no? :D

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/untitled.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8434.jpg

[Eagle Owl]

Lauren you are sooooo lucky!!!!!!!!!! I am very jealous:twisted:

Neil...great thread. I look forward to hearing the hunting stories:supz:

[Berkut]

1lb 8.5oz / 712 grams today. Pictures will become more interesting as he progresses but heres a few just taken.

[Palmer]

Looking good!8-) :supz:

[Kat67]

He's lovely:heart: :heart:

[Paris]

Last year as most of you know I imprinted Elsa the female golden eagle.
I picked her up at 29 days weighing 5lb 7oz.She definately knew fear and although she came round in a couple of days,I never took her everywhere as I would normally do with an imprint gos for example.
As a result she was only ever really fed in the garden. Around hard penning time she developed aggression towards me,which developed into hatred. She had never seen me feed her, so I reckon it was a territorial/sibling type behaviour with me as the sibling.
Anyway she went to Tom( TLB )for a time to assess her behaviour with a new handler in new surroundings. The results were superb and she turned into the perfect imprint and her ownership transferred to Tom.

I was pleased for her ,pleased for Tom and satisfied that ,ultimately, I had made the right decision for Elsa and stand by that ,having seen her behaviour on her first hare.

Taking all the above into account, I felt I had sold myself short to a degree and I am now hoping to remedy that.
On the way home from the fair today I picked up Spike, a male Andrew Knowles-Brown golden eagle. He hatched on 22nd April (the day before my birthday) and weighed in today at 641 grams/Ilb 6.75 ounces.

He is my new project and will go everywhere with me,as an imprint gos would ,and hopefully I will personally see him through to hunting myself.


A couple of photographs to wet your appetite,and when they arrive I will post a couple of him with his natural mother earlier today.

Hope you enjoy the thread.

Regards,
Neil

Hi Neil very nice pics m8:heart


Regards Harry

[Elly]

Cheers Magnus for the kind words - you're right, it'll be a downright fantastic summer break. I only wish I could stay all fall and winter - see Taurus progess in the field and refine his hunting technique. Its an odd thought that, about this time two years ago, I had just taken a little eyass american kestrel in the states. Only slightly different . Oscar and Greg: It was certainly great to meet you at the Fair as well.

Here are two more pictures of the little fuzzbucket. Something about eyasses just makes you smile, no?

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/untitled.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8434.jpg


Hes a little dude, love the pic of him being fed by his mom! :heart:

Been sat starring at the pics for a while now, its so surreal thinking at this age he already weighs as much as Bagot at hunting weight. Simply awesome.

[RedNoseK9]

Thanx neil another part of my life will now be obsorbed by reading this thread

all the best mate
wez

[Salty]

damn it neil you always get the chicks :lol: ,youre cars gonna be bonny if hes coming out in it all the time with you mate ,heel turn out a belter aswell no doubt and i too will follow his progress mate ,nice to see you at the fair mate weed like to have camped but the way things turned out we couldnt maybe next time then you can see the real me on the **** pmsl ,no mate im sound dude handle me liquer ,cracking bird mate and hope you have good luck always with him dude ,salty:supz:

[Berkut]

Tucking in.

[Pogger]

He really is one gorgeous little lad. Good luck Neil, I hope he turns out exactly as you hope. :D

[Barkai]

Vary cute little thing.

Stephen

[Goldie]

Hi Neil, forgot to ask you earlier about his breeding, any relationship to the others? I will make arrangements to come over and see the "dude" maybe next week.
ATB Jim

p.s did you get fixed up with an imprint tank ?

[Nemesis]

hi neil nice to meet you at the fair and hope all goes well with the new bird sure it will, all the best /dave

[Berkut]

Hi Neil, forgot to ask you earlier about his breeding, any relationship to the others? I will make arrangements to come over and see the "dude" maybe next week.
ATB Jim

p.s did you get fixed up with an imprint tank ?

Jim
Same father as Bentley.Same mother as Taggart.Coincidentally from a colouration point of view,the exact combination I would have chosen.
Imprint tank being built to order as we speak.
See you soon.
Neil.

[Bones]

Looking forward to reading another excellent eagle thread by yourself Neil keep the pics coming along with the posts

PAUL

[HorseBox]

Good luck with him what do you hope to fly with him

[Berkut]

Good luck with him what do you hope to fly with him

Mainly hares but foxes could be on the menu.

[Alan G]

Good luck with the little guy & its going to be interesting following your posts on his/your progress together. I've been at Knowles a couple of times myself & its something else to see.

Best of luck.

Alan.

[Gary F]

looking good mate,, what you feeding him on at momment???
gary

[JR VIZ]

Great pics, mind out for the 4 mile runs;)

[B C]

He looks great Neil - look forward to seeing him fly

Good luck
Bernie

[ParaButeo78]

Looking very good Neil.
Have fun with the little fuzzball!

Hopefully all goes well and we'll have a excellent Spike hunting thread to look forward too.

[Berkut]

looking good mate,, what you feeding him on at momment???
gary

He,s on a real mix Gary,quail,chicks,rabbit and venison,though is eating fresh hare as we speak.;)

[Palmer]

He,s on a real mix Gary,quail,chicks,rabbit and venison,though is eating fresh hare as we speak.;)

Who's gary the postman :lol:

[TLDWB]

Nice one Neil.;)

Tom

[Elly]

Neil with this thread you'll be back up to you 6 million sheriffs badges in no time! :lol: My whole family (who are normally quite bored with my incessant falconry ramblings) were huddled around the screen swooning over Spike yesterday. Hes gunna be a star! :supz: :heart:

[SakerYZF]

Who's gary the postman :lol:

hahaha ,craker;-)

[Berkut]

I was a bit concerned re his(Spike) appetite when I got up to check him this morning at 5am, however he took a decent crop at 7am and again at
11am with my help(discreetly) .
I had photos of Bentley taken for a magazine today and took Taurus with me for the run and managed to secure a great piece of land for the coming season.
I weighed him on my return and he came in at Ilb 10oz/736gms empty.

I decided to leave a full dish of food for him till he ate the lot himself. I came into the house and when I looked out 10 minutes later he was sound asleep with a full crop . A good positive step in the right direction which means he will be left to fend for himself from a food point of view and will be hooded for the food to be replenished.

I will take a few photos and post them later for those in need of your daily fix.;)

[Palmer]

I was a bit concerned re his(Spike) appetite when I got up to check him this morning at 5am, however he took a decent crop at 7am and again at
11am with my help(discreetly) .
I had photos of Bentley taken for a magazine today and took Taurus with me for the run and managed to secure a great piece of land for the coming season.
I weighed him on my return and he came in at Ilb 10oz/736gms empty.

I decided to leave a full dish of food for him till he ate the lot himself. I came into the house and when I looked out 10 minutes later he was sound asleep with a full crop . A good positive step in the right direction which means he will be left to fend for himself from a food point of view and will be hooded for the food to be replenished.

I will take a few photos and post them later for those in need of your daily fix.;)

Good stuff mate!:supz:

[Salty]

I was a bit concerned re his(Spike) appetite when I got up to check him this morning at 5am, however he took a decent crop at 7am and again at
11am with my help(discreetly) .
I had photos of Bentley taken for a magazine today and took Taurus with me for the run and managed to secure a great piece of land for the coming season.
I weighed him on my return and he came in at Ilb 10oz/736gms empty.

I decided to leave a full dish of food for him till he ate the lot himself. I came into the house and when I looked out 10 minutes later he was sound asleep with a full crop . A good positive step in the right direction which means he will be left to fend for himself from a food point of view and will be hooded for the food to be replenished.

I will take a few photos and post them later for those in need of your daily fix.;)nice one dude ,salty:supz:

[Gary F]

nice one, going well mate,,,look forward to next fix,its this sort of thread ,that keeps us going through molt,,

[Matthew Patching]

Just come across this. He looks a corker from the fotos, I hope that all geos well for you this time around neil. best of luck, and I will be looking forward to reading your posts over the coming months. Until I get my new falcon, and he takes up more time than he should!:supz:

[Bones]

I will take a few photos and post them later for those in need of your daily fix.;)

Good man lol

PAUL

[Berkut]

Some pictures from today. You won,t see much change as the only real difference at the moment is on the scales.
Hopefully you'll enjoy them anyway.
Neil.

[Isis]

Top pics Neil......keep em coming:supz:

[Palmer]

Looking good8-)
He couldn't have a much better set up!:supz:

[Salty]

cant wait till the feathers come heel be mint, gizzit mate pmsl:lol: :supz:

[Yeoman]

Good luck to you both and the forthcoming season:supz:
hell ye:lol:

[Berkut]

Starting to see a visual difference in him now, although it is difficult when you are with a chick 24/7 (raptor chick that is ;) )

Good crop this morning and weighed in empty a few minutes ago at 1lb 13oz/820gms - 18 days old now.

Photos later.

[Hardcore Hawker]

I know how you are so good at what you do now Neil you have 27 Hours in your day and not 24 like the rest of us:supz:

[Berkut]

I know how you are so good at what you do now Neil you have 27 Hours in your day and not 24 like the rest of us:supz:

Just noticed that one.:oops: :oops: Sorted.;)

[Eagle Owl]

He is such a cutie:yawinkle: Thanks for the pic updates. Looking forward to more:supz:

[Berkut]

He is such a cutie:yawinkle: Thanks for the pic updates. Looking forward to more:supz:

Thanks Brandi .About to take a few more soon. ;)

[Gary F]

nice one neil, john just pm me hes getting a young eagle in september,, awsum

[Berkut]

nice one neil, john just pm me hes getting a young eagle in september,, awsum

Gary,
Membrane of the first contender away for DNA sexing tomorrow.;)

[Berkutchi]

Here are a few pictures from last week...:D

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/7_71.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/5_71.jpg

[Gaz]

If you get fed up with it,sending it down here Neil:!: :supz:

[Berkut]

If you get fed up with it,sending it down here Neil:!: :supz:

I,ll bear that in mind Gaz. :butthead: :finga:

[Berkut]

A couple of him a few minutes ago.

[Palmer]

:supz: Looks like he's been on the grass?

[Matthew Patching]

2nd one looks like Sid Vicious!, with white hair!

[Berkut]

2nd one looks like Sid Vicious!, with white hair!

He was nearly called Punk.:lol:

[MusketMad]

Last year as most of you know I imprinted Elsa the female golden eagle.
I picked her up at 29 days weighing 5lb 7oz.She definately knew fear and although she came round in a couple of days,I never took her everywhere as I would normally do with an imprint gos for example.
As a result she was only ever really fed in the garden. Around hard penning time she developed aggression towards me,which developed into hatred. She had never seen me feed her, so I reckon it was a territorial/sibling type behaviour with me as the sibling.
Anyway she went to Tom( TLB )for a time to assess her behaviour with a new handler in new surroundings. The results were superb and she turned into the perfect imprint and her ownership transferred to Tom.

I was pleased for her ,pleased for Tom and satisfied that ,ultimately, I had made the right decision for Elsa and stand by that ,having seen her behaviour on her first hare.

Taking all the above into account, I felt I had sold myself short to a degree and I am now hoping to remedy that.
On the way home from the fair today I picked up Spike, a male Andrew Knowles-Brown golden eagle. He hatched on 22nd April (the day before my birthday) and weighed in today at 641 grams/Ilb 6.75 ounces.

He is my new project and will go everywhere with me,as an imprint gos would ,and hopefully I will personally see him through to hunting myself.


A couple of photographs to wet your appetite,and when they arrive I will post a couple of him with his natural mother earlier today.

Hope you enjoy the thread.

Regards,
Neilgreat for keeping cats out of the garden:grin:

[MusketMad]

CHEYNE three year old male goldie with my missus

[SBFalconry]

A couple of him a few minutes ago.

nice one Niel look forward to seeing his progress Stu :supz:

[ReluctantTwitcher]

Some pictures from today. You won,t see much change as the only real difference at the moment is on the scales.
Hopefully you'll enjoy them anyway.
Neil.

I surely did! He looks great in the pics, seems to have settled in nicely in his new home. Cheers,

/Magnus

[FredrickFogg]

He looks like an ostrich in that second pic! LOL Great pics! I love to see them growing up. Can't wait to see more!

Fred

[ReluctantTwitcher]

Here are a few pictures from last week...:D

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/7_71.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/5_71.jpg

Pretty good looking mom there! Spike will be a stunner...

[Gary F]

Gary,
Membrane of the first contender away for DNA sexing tomorrow.;)
hope it goes well for john,
yours is coming along great,
gary

[Elly]

absolutely love the pics of him with his mom. :supz:

What weight are you expecting him to be today Neil? 1lb15 ish? bit more than that?

[Berkut]

absolutely love the pics of him with his mom. :supz:

What weight are you expecting him to be today Neil? 1lb15 ish? bit more than that?

Elly,
Just weighed him empty at 2lb 2 oz .I am expecting a real growth spurt, but didn,t expect 5 ounces .although I am actually seeing the difference myself even though I am with him 24/7.
Neil

[Joey]

bloody hell niel what you feeding it steriods




joey

[Salty]

aye he must be gettin his weetabix off ya dude ,moms mint very dark looking big fU****,salty:supz:

[MusketMad]

If you are reading this thread roy ....thats how you do it:lol:

[Elly]

Elly,
Just weighed him empty at 2lb 2 oz .I am expecting a real growth spurt, but didn,t expect 5 ounces .although I am actually seeing the difference myself even though I am with him 24/7.
Neil

Wow, he is growing at a helluva rate! Hes gunna be a monster!

[RWR]

Elly,
Just weighed him empty at 2lb 2 oz .I am expecting a real growth spurt, but didn,t expect 5 ounces .although I am actually seeing the difference myself even though I am with him 24/7.
Neil

This is an other top thread Neil well done mate rep added.:supz: :supz:

[Berkut]

This is an other top thread Neil well done mate rep added.:supz: :supz:

Thanks Russ. He,s looking good.No pics today but I,ll put some on tomorrow.
Regards,
Neil.

[Berkut]

Why divorce is on the cards.

[Paddy1]

that will do it everytime pmsl

[Berkut]

Another couple.

[Rusty83]

Why divorce is on the cards.
surely thats a good thing!?! :lol: you'll have more time with Spike then!!:supz: :supz:

Russ

[GyrXPeales]

Why divorce is on the cards.

Now Neil is that your "Imprint Tank being built to order as we speak" imprint tank. I think I bought one from the same guy, he said it had a built in force field that would prevent the slice from getting beyond the edge of the tank, he lied.:lol:
I can hear the Mrs. now, NEIL HUNTER, GET YOUR ARSE IN HERE!!!!:twisted:
God I love imprints, too bad that wasn't his first slice of the morning, he could have gotten an extra 5 feet out of that one, nice pic mate.:supz:
Best regards,
Jeff

[HunterJen]

thats great, keep it coming, its good to see a successful diary account, keep us entertained.

Jenet xx

:supz: :yawinkle: :supz:

[Berkut]

Now Neil is that your "Imprint Tank being built to order as we speak" imprint tank. I think I bought one from the same guy, he said it had a built in force field that would prevent the slice from getting beyond the edge of the tank, he lied.:lol:
I can hear the Mrs. now, NEIL HUNTER, GET YOUR ARSE IN HERE!!!!:twisted:
God I love imprints, too bad that wasn't his first slice of the morning, he could have gotten an extra 5 feet out of that one, nice pic mate.:supz:
Best regards,
Jeff

Jeff,
The imprint tank arrives on Tuesday ,thank goodness.He has grown out the temporary one in 4 days.I,m having to make do. Nearly crashed the jeep on the way home tonight using my cupped hand to make a mute "ricochet" back into the tank as opposed to all over the upholstery.Roll on Tuesday.;)
All the best,
Neil.

[GyrXPeales]

Jeff,
The imprint tank arrives on Tuesday ,thank goodness.He has grown out the temporary one in 4 days.I,m having to make do. Nearly crashed the jeep on the way home tonight using my cupped hand to make a mute "ricochet" back into the tank as opposed to all over the upholstery.Roll on Tuesday.;)
All the best,
Neil.

Hehehe! I've been there too many times Neil, does sound like a nice catch though. It's tough not having a bird to imprint this year, thanks for sharing yours.
My best as always,
Jeff

[Greg]

Jeff,
The imprint tank arrives on Tuesday ,thank goodness.He has grown out the temporary one in 4 days.I,m having to make do. Nearly crashed the jeep on the way home tonight using my cupped hand to make a mute "ricochet" back into the tank as opposed to all over the upholstery.Roll on Tuesday.;)
All the best,
Neil.

Good blast shield needed! Hate to clean your out at the end of the week. Dries to a nice chalk like substance but that last mark is a ****** to get out! Your wife must be a feal gem Niel!
Greg

[Elly]

Why divorce is on the cards.

PMSL, action shot! :lol: Love it!

[Big JoeJoe]

Fantastic pics great thread Neil. He looks a hand full mate, Spike would make a great advert for Andrex Toilet paper :lol: :lol:

[Goldie]

He's coming on a treat neil:supz:

just one question tho, what is the ring situation?

[Berkut]

He's coming on a treat neil:supz:

just one question tho, what is the ring situation?

Jim,
The breeder contacted DEFRA as he knew I would be posting on this site and wanted to keep us both in the clear. Responsibility for the ringing of the chick is now mine as is the completing of the declaration of ringing. I have the ring with me and it will be another few days before it is fitted.
Neil.

[ReluctantTwitcher]

Why divorce is on the cards.

PSML! Should be mandatory viewing for anyone considering imprinting for the first time... Welcome to the down side of falconry!

/Magnus

[RedNoseK9]

Still looking good though mate despite all the mess

[Tim Laycock]

Neil,
Dont know if it has been mentioned (Its already becoming a trawl through :lol: )

When will you start hood training with him?
Have you started already.

[Berkut]

Neil,
Dont know if it has been mentioned (Its already becoming a trawl through :lol: )

When will you start hood training with him?
Have you started already.

Tim,
Hood training started the day I picked him up . Going well. ;)

[Tim Laycock]

just slipped on now and then or more regimented?

[Berkut]

just slipped on now and then or more regimented?

Slipped on now and then but as his head starts to fit the real hood well ,it will be more regimented with the braces getting tightened more as we go.

[MusketMad]

Slipped on now and then but as his head starts to fit the real hood well ,it will be more regimented with the braces getting tightened more as we go.
whats your thoughts on the slip on hoods without the braces?

[Berkut]

whats your thoughts on the slip on hoods without the braces?

Nigel,
I use them all the time and for hunting out the hood , off the fist they are superb. GriffMJ on here makes mine.

[Berkut]

He hasn,t co-operated for photographs today so far but I just weighed him empty at 2lb 7.5oz. He has eaten 3 quail today already and will no doubt
polish of another one before he goes to sleep. Eating all by himself now and the dish is replenished while he is asleep or hooded.

[Elly]

He hasn,t co-operated for photographs today so far but I just weighed him empty at 2lb 7.5oz. He has eaten 3 quail today already and will no doubt
polish of another one before he goes to sleep. Eating all by himself now and the dish is replenished while he is asleep or hooded.

Wow. hes working at 5oz gains a day! And 3 quail already. blows my mind. :supz:

[Berkut]

Wow. hes working at 5oz gains a day! And 3 quail already. blows my mind. :supz:

Elly I was keen to take him on younger than I did Elsa as she had already had the mega growth spurt by the time I got her at 29 days. Glad I did now as I missed a really good stage of developement last time. 1lb .75oz in 5 days .
That,s him 20 days old now.
Neil

[Berkut]

Hopefully this will show a difference in him.The first photo was taken on Monday and the second today.

[Palmer]

He's looking alot bigger mate! very good progress:supz: :heart:

[Mark Collins]

Hopefully this will show a difference in him.The first photo was taken on Monday and the second today.

Hi Neil , good photos mate , best of luck with him he is a cracker, nice to see you do a bit of ironing when you have to , cheers, mark.

[KiteTrainer]

amazing the difference:supz:

[Matthew Patching]

Very nice Neil,

Keep them coming!:supz:

[Berkut]

Off topic slightly but my mate who lives on the outskirts of Edinburgh looked out this morning and his male golden eagle had killed an adult dog fox in it,s weathering.

[FlameHairedFalconer]

Off topic slightly but my mate who lives on the outskirts of Edinburgh looked out this morning and his male golden eagle had killed an adult dog fox in it,s weathering.

:shock:

That'll be a crop and a half! 8-)

FHF

[Berkut]

:shock:

That'll be a crop and a half! 8-)

FHF

You,d better believe it. Seems to have been a fair old tussel.No injury but a few bent feathers.

[Berkut]

A couple from today.Still to be weighed.

[FlameHairedFalconer]

You,d better believe it. Seems to have been a fair old tussel.No injury but a few bent feathers.

Completely off topic again Neil, but I did know a Bald eagle that regularily got a snack of young tawny owl, for some reason they kept flying into her weathering at night...and not getting out...

[Berkut]

21 Days - 2lb 11oz./1217gms.

[Big JoeJoe]

The pictures are ace Neil, what a cracking little (if he can be called little lol) fellow he is. I just chuckle each time I see him lol.

Cheers Joe

[Berkut]

The pictures are ace Neil, what a cracking little (if he can be called little lol) fellow he is. I just chuckle each time I see him lol.

Cheers Joe

Thanks Joe.He,s really coming on.I,m pleased with his progress.
Neil.

[Gary F]

looking good neil,, looks so alert,,,still on the venison??

[Berkut]

looking good neil,, looks so alert,,,still on the venison??

Venison,hare,quail,pigeon,rabbit,chick. ;) ;)

[Matt]

amasing stuff , i bet there is ***** everywhere !!
i bet you grt through some hoods when you imprint eagles .there head must change almost weekly .

all the best.

[Berkut]

amasing stuff , i bet there is ***** everywhere !!
i bet you grt through some hoods when you imprint eagles .there head must change almost weekly .

all the best.

Matt,
I was initially told to use the hood he will eventually wear from day 1.********.It was like putting a dustbin on his head.He is now on his 4th hood which is currently a dutch hood for a gyr. His growth rate at the moment is spectacular (as is his appetite).
Regards,
Neil

[Matt]

bloody hell a gyr sized nut allready !!!

neil i know you have a favored hood maker but do you think i could make the wee man a hood ? it would be great to see one iv made on him at some point .

i realy admire you with your eagle "habit" lol your doing things that most will only ever dream of .
i the wee man of direct uk stock or is there more exotic bloodlines in him ?

[Berkut]

bloody hell a gyr sized nut allready !!!

neil i know you have a favored hood maker but do you think i could make the wee man a hood ? it would be great to see one iv made on him at some point .

i realy admire you with your eagle "habit" lol your doing things that most will only ever dream of .
i the wee man of direct uk stock or is there more exotic bloodlines in him ?

Matt,
He is from direct uk stock as far as I am aware. I would be delighted to have one of your hoods. I don,t know how you work out your sizes but I could possibly send you a hood for comparison purposes. Dutch are best on eagles in my opinion but any style would be gratefully received.
Best Regards,
Neil.

[Yeoman]

21 Days - 2lb 11oz./1217gms.

he weighs more than tigster
hell yeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..............:lol:

[Gary F]

he weighs more than tigster
hell yeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..............:lol:
bet he can read and write alot better then tigg,only joking mate

[Berkut]

Weighed empty a short time ago - 2lb 15oz.:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

[Palmer]

Weighed empty a short time ago - 2lb 15oz.:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

He's going good mate!

[Matthew Patching]

He's going good mate!



Looking good niel, cant believe he'll be over 3lb by tomorrow!

[Greg]

This is for you Niel!

[Berkut]

This is for you Niel!

Me like...............a lot.8-)

[SakerYZF]

Off topic slightly but my mate who lives on the outskirts of Edinburgh looked out this morning and his male golden eagle had killed an adult dog fox in it,s weathering.

Didn't know people kept foxes in weatherings.... :-|

[Goldie]

PLEASE DON'T RUIN A GOOD THREAD with loads of **** posts guy's.

[Joey]

what are you going to hunt him on neil i know you love hares with bentley but are you going to try something new like just fox or

joey

[Richard]

Nice to see progress!! Won't be long till he's on the moors, bet your thinking of that now :rolleyes:

[Berkutchi]

Young Taurus is really growing fast - its already been said, but the change in him over a week is incredible. I can't believe it. His feet especially are really starting to look the part. :D

Imprint tank from RaptorBox arrived today, not a moment too soon as he'd long outgrown his old tank.

Spike settled in quite quickly. A few pictures - does anything look quite so content as a sleeping eyass?


http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8482.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8480.jpg


--Lauren

[Eagle Owl]

Awwwww...he is just too cute!!!!! I want one :) Can you smuggle a few in your luggage when you come back to the states Lauren?????

[PaulWar3]

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8480.jpg


--Lauren


:drinkers::drinkers: :drinkers:
He been at Neils whiskey?

[Berkutchi]

Just a side note for today:

23 days old - 3lb 2 oz

[Lady]

Just a side note for today:

23 days old - 3lb 2 oz

:shock: :shock: :shock:

[Rex06]

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8482.jpg




the box won't look like that for long haha

[Palmer]

Just a side note for today:

23 days old - 3lb 2 oz

Maybe you would like to say how big the box is so people don't think he's as small as he looks:yawinkle:

[Berkutchi]

Maybe you would like to say how big the box is so people don't think he's as small as he looks:yawinkle:

3ft x 2ft 6inches x 2ft 8 inches high.

[Palmer]

3ft x 2ft 6inches x 2ft 8 inches high.

thought Neil said it was 6 foot wide:oops:

[Berkut]

thought Neil said it was 6 foot wide:oops:

No 3ft:wink:

[Palmer]

No 3ft:wink:

:oops: :oops: :oops:

How big do you rekon he'll be when you come to myn then?

[Berkut]

:oops: :oops: :oops:

How big do you rekon he'll be when you come to myn then?

Half feathered.Around 6.5lbs:wink:

[Palmer]

Half feathered.Around 6.5lbs:wink:

We'll stick him in with the harris:shock: :shock:

No serious nearly 100% sure you can stay and the goldens teatherd in the day, and locked away at night

[Matthew Patching]

Hes looking good in that s****y new pad, thougth he'd have gone for somwhere with a bit more storage space though!:wink:

[Berkut]

Just a small update.The name Taurus never seemed to roll of the tongue as I expected and I ended up calling him "the young eagle" or something similar.

Today while Lauren was across at my house visiting we were discussing the fact the name didn,t suit him. Anyway he sat bolt upright and the name "Spike" hit me between the eyes. Lauren immediately took to it and it really seems to suit him so he is now "Spike"8-) 8-)

[Palmer]

Just a small update.The name Taurus never seemed to roll of the tongue as I expected and I ended up calling him "the young eagle" or something similar.

Today while Lauren was across at my house visiting we were discussing the fact the name didn,t suuit him. Anyway he sat bolt upright and the name "Spike" hit me between the eyes. Lauren immediately took to it and it really seems to suit him so he is now "Spike"8-) 8-)

:roll: not sure a bird with that name can come to my house!


Only kiddind, abit more catchy than taurus:D

[Scooter]

there is a old saying never change a eagles name

i got told its bad luck :idea:

[Kevin Massey]

Neil How is things reguarding the dog? Have they mey yet? (could just imagin what was going through the dogs mind...Oh no not again:lol: )

[Scooter]

Never heard that one.I,ll just have to live with it.;)

good luck anyway i love the thread :supz:

i was talking to a mate of yours on sunday but i can nor remember his name :rolleyes:

he is from teeside and fly,s eagles :lol:

he was looking at our golden eagle

[Berkut]

Neil How is things reguarding the dog? Have they mey yet? (could just imagin what was going through the dogs mind...Oh no not again:lol: )

The dog and eagle go together wherever I go.I am going to give "Spike" a real ladder though.:wink:

[Berkut]

" Spike "

[Kevin Massey]

How could something so stunning come from a thing soooo uuummmm gopping:lol: :supz:

[Salty]

need a bigger box soon neil :lol: topper dude by the way taurus name had no kick in it ,spikes a cushty name my friend :supz:

[Matt]

i like both names but spike is a proper lads name .

and hes defo the heart breaker on here .

[Rab Marshall]

glad everythings going well neil,rab

[Elly]

I think he looks like a Sid :lol: :supz:

I had actually thought that already! I suggested Spike as the name for Hackers little Gyrsaker, but Sid was my back up!

Approve of the name change anyway Neil, Spikes a good name :supz:

Hes looking cracking, how much a day is he getting through roughly now?

[Berkut]

I had actually thought that already! I suggested Spike as the name for Hackers little Gyrsaker, but Sid was my back up!

Approve of the name change anyway Neil, Spikes a good name :supz:

Hes looking cracking, how much a day is he getting through roughly now?

Elly,
Thanks re the opinion on the name change. 5 quail yesterday and already 3 today.:confused: :confused: ;)

[Goldie]

Elly,
Thanks re the opinion on the name change. 5 quail yesterday and already 3 today.:confused: :confused: ;)

Can see the name changing again.........Glutton:lol:

[Berkut]

Spike - 24 days. Much more feather growth at this age than the female golden last year at 29 days.

Weighed in empty at 3lb 8oz.

[Paddy1]

nice one neil any differences you have noticed between spike and elsa at this age ????

[Berkut]

nice one neil any differences you have noticed between spike and elsa at this age ????

Paddy,
I got Elsa at 29 days.Spike is only 24 days and his primaries are already an inch down whereas Elsa,s did not appear till 33 days or so.
Getting Spike at 14 days seems to have been a wise choice as I take him everywhere and nothing seems to concern him.
Neil.

[Falcon]

Spike - 24 days. Much more feather growth at this age than the female golden last year at 29 days.

Weighed in empty at 3lb 8oz.

Good God that Miracle grow is good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:lol: Either that or he's on a drip of good old Scotch, puts hairs on mens chests, but in eagle chicks makes them grow before your eyes:yawinkle:

[Berkut]

Good God that Miracle grow is good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:lol: Either that or he's on a drip of good old Scotch, puts hairs on mens chests, but in eagle chicks makes them grow before your eyes:yawinkle:

It is incredible Sarah,he is literally growing in front of my eyes (on your quail.:finga: )

[Mr_Colin]

Great thread Neil, again:roll: :lol:

Do you have a comparison in appetite between Spike and Elsa at the same age? I am probably assuming wrong but would have thought Elsa ate more but from what I am reading he has a huge appetite.

[Berkut]

Great thread Neil, again:roll: :lol:

Do you have a comparison in appetite between Spike and Elsa at the same age? I am probably assuming wrong but would have thought Elsa ate more but from what I am reading he has a huge appetite.

Colin,
Will be able to compare a bit later on as I did not get Elsa till 29 days. It would appear though that the largest growth spurt is between 14 and 28 days. From memory the most Elsa consumed in a day was 5 quail,half a rabbit and 10 day old chicks.:shock: :shock:
Neil.

[Elly]

My god. He will need renaming Fat B*****d before long! :lol: 3lb8 and over 5quail a day, everytime i look at this thread i am left gobsmacked by the little guy. Great to hear hes chilled out in all scenarios too. Cant wait to see him adopting Bentleys "dragon" pose on his first hare :supz:

[Sandeep]

Hi Neil

This has all the right ingredients of a great thread.... Wish you all the very best.....

Cheers :supz: :supz:

[PaulWar3]

Hi Neil

Glad to see everythings going well with Spike. Can I just ask how much miracle grow do you put on each quail. Cant believe how quick he is growing.
Like everyone else says, this is a top thread.:supz:

Paul

[Gary F]

watched..where eagles fly and the language of the birds last nite,
filmed in scotland,, says on there a eagle is 36 x its body weight ,3 weeks on, seems by spike they are correct,
its a rspb film,if you get chance its a good watch,,
gary

[SakerYZF]

5 Quail a day!! Pass on some rep points to spike for me please.

[Berkutchi]

Just a small update.The name Taurus never seemed to roll of the tongue as I expected and I ended up calling him "the young eagle" or something similar.

Today while Lauren was across at my house visiting we were discussing the fact the name didn,t suit him. Anyway he sat bolt upright and the name "Spike" hit me between the eyes. Lauren immediately took to it and it really seems to suit him so he is now "Spike"8-)

I must say, I really think the new name suits the wee man well.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8487HEAD.jpg

Its great watching the giant, insquisitive fuzzbucket clomp around, preen the fluff and rouse - stomping over to rest his head in your hands or lap. An inch or so of pins are visable at the moment. I can now see precisely why - having gotten Elsa at 29 days - Neil wanted to experience the two weeks of incredible growth he'd missed out on.

Here he is, mere seconds after taking a good crop.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/100_8483.jpg

Here's a picture from two weeks ago - in the same sudden bolt-upright position that inspired his name:

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spike-1.jpg

[Jackie]

lol hes a charmer alright !!!! god im in envie of you guys .

at what stage will he bigin to walk ?

thats when the real fun will start . mobile ***** unit .

aim...... fire ............................... cu-splat

[Elly]

Hes surely gunna hit the 4lb mark today.. he so cute :heart:

[Austringer84]

Hope alls going well mate

will watch this with interest as always

si

[Berkut]

lol hes a charmer alright !!!! god im in envie of you guys .

at what stage will he bigin to walk ?

thats when the real fun will start . mobile ***** unit .

aim...... fire ............................... cu-splat

Jackie,
He,s starting to stand up and is trying to walk but is still a bit unsteady on his feet.Not long till I follow him around with a bucket.:wink:


Hes surely gunna hit the 4lb mark today.. he so cute :heart:

Elly,
A bit warmer today and he doesn,t have his usual appetite,although no doubt he will surprise me and fill his boots shortly. Won,t be far from the 4lb mark all the same.:P

[TimDog80]

alright neil, just caught back up with your thread after being away on holiday and its great to see the diffrence in him now to the first photos you put up mate:supz: ......... im sure all the time and hard work your putting into "spike" will pay dividends for you for the coming season!!!

thanks for sharing your experience's
tim:D

p.s pretend REP added:lol:

[Berkut]

Not a great appetite today as it was warm and muggy.

Nevertheless - 25 days - 3lb 11oz.

[Mr_Colin]

Neil do us a favour will you, when he's the same age as Elsa was when you got her can you post up the pics of them side by side so we can see a size difference please. Just interested becaus eof the appetite. Are you sure he's male?:yawinkle: :lol:

[Berkut]

Neil do us a favour will you, when he's the same age as Elsa was when you got her can you post up the pics of them side by side so we can see a size difference please. Just interested becaus eof the appetite. Are you sure he's male?:yawinkle: :lol:

Colin,
I,ll see what I can do.All the Elsa pics are on my old computer. At 29 days Elsa was 5lb 7 oz. Yes he has been DNA'd twice as a male

[Kevin Massey]

Colin,
I,ll see what I can do.All the Elsa pics are on my old computer. At 29 days Elsa was 5lb 7 oz. Yes he has been DNA'd twice as a male


I looked back on this today.... shocking aint it:rolleyes:

[Stealth]

Neil, nice to be catching up on things (been distracted for a while!!!)

Great thread (no supprise) and nice to see the "wee-one" "Spike":D

Not be long before the Hare Bag overfloweth:yawinkle:

I will pm you soon

[Raztail]

This guy is a little pig:lol: Thanks for sharing your imprinting with us and best of luck to you

[Pogger]

How's the little lad getting along today Neil? I'm just queing up for my "Spike" fix. :lol:

[Mr_Colin]

How's the little lad getting along today Neil? I'm just queing up for my "Spike" fix. :lol:

there are healthier fixes you know, have you tried drinking, smoking or taking drugs?:lol:

[Mr_Colin]

I just checked the Elsa thread from the start for an image for you Neil but the images are not there:(

[Pogger]

there are healthier fixes you know, have you tried drinking, smoking or taking drugs?:lol:

Yes, but I'm a big girl now and trying (but failing) to ignore mortal cravings. :D

[Berkut]

How's the little lad getting along today Neil? I'm just queing up for my "Spike" fix. :lol:

Here he is , with me at work today. 3lb 13oz empty.

[Raztail]

Yes, but I'm a big girl now and trying (but failing) to ignore mortal cravings. :D

GAH where is the fun in that. :supz: :yawinkle:

New pics is what we want :lol:

[Berkut]

Here he is , with me at work today. 3lb 13oz empty.

Spending loads of time with Spike at the moment. Those of you who have imprinted raptors in the past will know exactly what I mean when I say it really is a privelage to spend time with them as they develope.
He has spent the last 20 minutes preening himself ,as well as the hair on my arms while I scratch his head.

[Mikker]

Here he is , with me at work today. 3lb 13oz empty.

My fav pic up to now mate,fantastic

[Kevin Massey]

My fav pic up to now mate,fantastic

Totaly Agree:supz:

[Cyclone]

Looking good Neil!!
Shane

[Berkut]

Hoping to get some photographs on later but just weighed Spike empty at
4lbs 1oz - 27 days

[Mr_Colin]

2 days to go for a weight comparison:supz:

How cool it would be for Lady and James to see Spike in action after reading this, those guys are very lucky:P

[Berkut]

2 days to go for a weight comparison:supz:

How cool it would be for Lady and James to see Spike in action after reading this, those guys are very lucky:P

Colin,
That,s the plan hopefully,depending when we organise the days. I am guessing at 4lbs 8 - 10 oz at comparison time.

[Berkut]

A couple of him settling in to his nest in the garden. He won,t spend as much time in it as Elsa did last year but he will be in it each day at some point.

[KiteTrainer]

I have stayed away from Neils Eagle but dropped round to leave Purdey as I am away for the week.
Pictures do not do the bird justice, fantastic character look forward to seeing him fly this year

[LadyHawke]

'tastic thread guys. What a wee fatty! eating all that in one day. He looks great, though, and it wont be long until you are out giving the hare population a big fright.

[Gary F]

I have stayed away from Neils Eagle but dropped round to leave Purdey as I am away for the week.
Pictures do not do the bird justice, fantastic character look forward to seeing him fly this year
golfing or train spotting john???
only joking mate,spike is looking great,,when you getting ya spar,ive been offered one, thinking about it
gary

[Lun]

golfing or train spotting john???
only joking mate,spike is looking great,,when you getting ya spar,ive been offered one, thinking about it
gary


gary go for it, this little man (mmm not) is looking great love the work boots next to him :lol:

[KiteTrainer]

golfing or train spotting john???
only joking mate,spike is looking great,,when you getting ya spar,ive been offered one, thinking about it
gary

Bit of both:lol:

[Austringer84]

Sonice (as always) to see the progression in development of you imprint. He looks well settled inthe nest and in foto of him "at work" with u.

si

[Berkut]

28 days old today - 4lb 5 oz. May try for some photographs later.

[Gary F]

roughly neil, wots her intake daily now,4oz in day great,,
gary

[Berkut]

roughly neil, wots her intake daily now,4oz in day great,,
gary

Gary,
He seems to have levelled out at the equivalent of 4 quail a day,although he is fed a variety of food. When I got Elsa at 29 days she was 5lb 7 oz . Tomorrow Spike will be 29 days and the estimate for him looks like 4lb 9 oz.
Seems about right.

[Gary F]

Gary,
He seems to have levelled out at the equivalent of 4 quail a day,although he is fed a variety of food. When I got Elsa at 29 days she was 5lb 7 oz . Tomorrow Spike will be 29 days and the estimate for him looks like 4lb 9 oz.
Seems about right.
thanks neil,
another great thread underway;
rep point wouldve been added,

[Elly]

Hows the wee man this morning?

Also, Neil have you ever been properly footed by an eagle? Just curious...

[Berkut]

Hows the wee man this morning?

Also, Neil have you ever been properly footed by an eagle? Just curious...

Elly -
I have had a couple of sore ones from the eagles. The worst one being the first day Cinnabar waited on.She was well up and after a while my bottle crashed and I was preparing to call her in to a rabbit leg on the lure. I was unaware she had seen me prepare the lure and looked up as the undercarriage came out at 100 feet or so . I threw the lure out which she ignored and camed straight at me. My glove was off so I put put my arm up to fend her off. She took hold of my arm. One talon went completely round my wrist without a scratch.The hind toe of the other talon went in one side of the meaty part of my very muscular;) :-D forearm and came right out the other side. I have never known pain like it and had to push my thumb under the hind toe and wrench it out. I could actually see right through my arm. There was no blood at first but by the time I got back to the jeep I was soaked in blood. On top of that it was -10 degrees so all in all it was not pleasant.

I drove myself to A & E and the nurses would not believe my story at first.They reckoned I had been stabbed.

[Berkut]

Some photos just taken on the "nest".The fourth one was a close call.I thought he was going to **** all over me.

[Mr_Colin]

Some photos just taken on the "nest".The fourth one was a close call.I thought he was going to **** all over me.

who shot the sherif, well Spike almost did:lol:

[Berkut]

who shot the sherif, well Spike almost did:lol:

It was a close call.:oops:

[Mr_Colin]

It's hard to think what size 4lb 9 oz is, when you do your next round of pics Neil can you put a common object in there so I can make out the size differnce please

[Berkut]

It's hard to think what size 4lb 9 oz is, when you do your next round of pics Neil can you put a common object in there so I can make out the size differnce please

No problem Colin.

[Mr_Colin]

Thank you:supz:

[Kevin Massey]

I bet he is loving it out side today Neil....well if its as bright as it is here

[Elly]

Elly -
I have had a couple of sore ones from the eagles. The worst one being the first day Cinnabar waited on.She was well up and after a while my bottle crashed and I was preparing to call her in to a rabbit leg on the lure. I was unaware she had seen me prepare the lure and looked up as the undercarriage came out at 100 feet or so . I threw the lure out which she ignored and camed straight at me. My glove was off so I put put my arm up to fend her off. She took hold of my arm. One talon went completely round my wrist without a scratch.The hind toe of the other talon went in one side of the meaty part of my very muscular;) :-D forearm and came right out the other side. I have never known pain like it and had to push my thumb under the hind toe and wrench it out. I could actually see right through my arm. There was no blood at first but by the time I got back to the jeep I was soaked in blood. On top of that it was -10 degrees so all in all it was not pleasant.

I drove myself to A & E and the nurses would not believe my story at first.They reckoned I had been stabbed.

Ouch. :shock: I was thinking the other day about how most of us will have been footed by our birds of choice at some point or other, being had by something harris sized is bad enough, but an eagle can cause some major damage.. Sounds a particularly nasty one. If it'd been me, i probably would have fainted before making it back to the jeep LOL.

[Berkut]

Ouch. :shock: I was thinking the other day about how most of us will have been footed by our birds of choice at some point or other, being had by something harris sized is bad enough, but an eagle can cause some major damage.. Sounds a particularly nasty one. If it'd been me, i probably would have fainted before making it back to the jeep LOL.

No soft Jock here Elly. I had my sandwiches and coffee before I went to the hospital.8-) ;)

[Palmer]

He's looking good now mate!

Do you think it's due to there massive size that they mature alot slower?

What i mean is Take hound's male pere x saker for example, that looks about the same stage in development than Spike, yet it's younger

[Berkut]

He's looking good now mate!

Do you think it's due to there massive size that they mature alot slower?

What i mean is Take hound's male pere x saker for example, that looks about the same stage in development than Spike, yet it's younger

Yes that seems to be the reason.Falcons tend to be hard penned around 8 weeks whereas a golden is about 14-16 weeks.

[Pendleside]

No soft Jock here Elly. I had my sandwiches and coffee before I went to the hospital.8-) ;)

what ?
no pie roll ?:roll:

[Berkut]

29 days old today and 4lb 8 oz. Last year I got Elsa at 29 days and she was 5lb 7 oz.
Discussed size etc with the breeder. Of all the eagles he recorded the weights of in his early breeding days ,Spike is the heaviest male at that stage and is also heavier than the smallest female.
All the ones recorded previously were parent reared so it may be that the reason for the higher weight is the constant availability of food. The adult birds have been recorded as only feeding the chicks twice per day.

Regardless, the comparisons and detailed weight recording may prove usefull in the future.

Neil.

[TimDog80]

29 days old today and 4lb 8 oz. Last year I got Elsa at 29 days and she was 5lb 7 oz.
Discussed size etc with the breeder. Of all the eagles he recorded the weights of in his early breeding days ,Spike is the heaviest male at that stage and is also heavier than the smallest female.
All the ones recorded previously were parent reared so it may be that the reason for the higher weight is the constant availability of food. The adult birds have been recorded as only feeding the chicks twice per day.

Regardless, the comparisons and detailed weight recording may prove usefull in the future.

Neil.
interesting post neil!!!....... whats the plan with the imprint process once he reaches hard penning stage? are you going to try ang get him killing asap or are you gonna work on the fitness regime, reason i ask is to do with unfit eagles not being successfull and we know what lack of success can mean with imprints:evil: ........ yet you still need to get them killing early i take it?? i suppose its just a fine line to judge:?:

best regards
tim:D

p.s looking good and good luck with him mate:D

[Elly]

No soft Jock here Elly. I had my sandwiches and coffee before I went to the hospital.8-) ;)

:lol: True scotsman eh?

4lb8 at nearly a month old is incredible. Do you think hes going to be a particularly big bird, or do you think the growth will kinda of reach a peak and stay there if that makes sense?? What i mean is, i know hes growing like mad at the moment and hes looking like hes gunna be a real big lad, but do you actually think he will be bigger than average?

[Roy Lupton]

Hi Neil.

Glad to see the little chap is coming on so well. Cant wait to see him going.

Are you going to complete the whole imprinting process yourself or are you going to move him around and allow friends to babysit, in order to help combat the negative sides of an imprint goldie?.

Roy.

[PitBullOne]

fingers crossed

[Berkut]

Hi Neil.

Glad to see the little chap is coming on so well. Cant wait to see him going.

Are you going to complete the whole imprinting process yourself or are you going to move him around and allow friends to babysit, in order to help combat the negative sides of an imprint goldie?.

Roy.

Roy,
I am going to do exactly that , hand him around .I think it may help. Getting him at 14 days has meant I take him everywhere with me which I think will pay dividends. I also think he won,t try and dominate in the way a female eagle would.
Neil.

[Berkut]

interesting post neil!!!....... whats the plan with the imprint process once he reaches hard penning stage? are you going to try ang get him killing asap or are you gonna work on the fitness regime, reason i ask is to do with unfit eagles not being successfull and we know what lack of success can mean with imprints:evil: ........ yet you still need to get them killing early i take it?? i suppose its just a fine line to judge:?:

best regards
tim:D

p.s looking good and good luck with him mate:D

Tim,
I will take him to his potential training ground for extended periods before he can fly and carry on this when he starts to fly and let him find his wings.I hope to get him started hunting pretty soon after hard penning. All a big learning curve for me.

[Berkut]

:lol: True scotsman eh?

4lb8 at nearly a month old is incredible. Do you think hes going to be a particularly big bird, or do you think the growth will kinda of reach a peak and stay there if that makes sense?? What i mean is, i know hes growing like mad at the moment and hes looking like hes gunna be a real big lad, but do you actually think he will be bigger than average?

Elly,
I think he has grown ahead of himself due to the amount of food he is eating. I don,t particularly see him remaining above average in size.

[TimDog80]

Tim,
I will take him to his potential training ground for extended periods before he can fly and carry on this when he starts to fly and let him find his wings.I hope to get him started hunting pretty soon after hard penning. All a big learning curve for me.
i thought so mate, i bet it will be a fine line to judge too!!!
you never stop learning in this game even with all the experience you have hey:yawinkle:

good luck with him
tim:D

[Mac]

briliant thread!

how are you going about hooding him, ie is the hood ever placed on his head at this stage?

all the best


sean

[Berkut]

A couple from today at 30 days. Lauren is smitten I think.

[FredrickFogg]

Neil,

I know he is going to turn into this beautiful eagle, but man, he sure looks like an ostrich now! LOL :lol: You gotta love him! :heart:

Fred

[Berkut]

Neil,

I know he is going to turn into this beautiful eagle, but man, he sure looks like an ostrich now! LOL :lol: You gotta love him! :heart:

Fred

Fred,
I can only agree. It is amazing how they just get better and better looking as time passes,yet the uglyness still holds so much appeal.

Neil.

[Cyclone]

A couple from today at 30 days. Lauren is smitten I think.
bloody hell your carpets doing well :lol:
shane

[Berkut]

A couple from today at 30 days. Lauren is smitten I think.

Jeff ( GyrXPeales),
These photos are for you.I thought you might like to see Lauren in her element.;) ;)

[Mr_Colin]

I will say it again but it will probably get deleted like the last time I said it:roll: But when you posted a pic of Spike in the auction I said come off it neil even you cant train an ostridge:lol: I thought it was funny but some miserable sod deleted it:roll: . Glad someone else has said it now:supz:

Anyway as for Spike now, that last pic really shows his size off, even the fat belly and man boobs.(insert smilie but used up quota). I dont think it just your daughter who's smitten, he's a cracking fella and got such character in his face. How about that pic comparison with Elsa.

Thanks for sharing this experience with us Neil. Although I can see the attraction, I still wouldn't have one even though I have ben in love with goldie's since I was a kid.

Hat's off to you.

[Greg]

Congratulations Neil you have a new daughter!

[Goldie]

Congratulations Neil you have a new daughter!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Goldie]

I will say it again but it will probably get deleted like the last time I said it:roll: But when you posted a pic of Spike in the auction I said come off it neil even you cant train an ostridge:lol: I thought it was funny but some miserable sod deleted it:roll: . Glad someone else has said it now:supz:

Anyway as for Spike now, that last pic really shows his size off, even the fat belly and man boobs.(insert smilie but used up quota). I dont think it just your daughter who's smitten, he's a cracking fella and got such character in his face. How about that pic comparison with Elsa.

Thanks for sharing this experience with us Neil. Although I can see the attraction, I still wouldn't have one even though I have ben in love with goldie's since I was a kid.

Hat's off to you.

Comparison!!..... Colin, how do you know Lauren (Berkutchi) isn't a Dwarfette PMSL

[Berkut]

A few more taken today on the "nest".

[Elly]

Fred,
I can only agree. It is amazing how they just get better and better looking as time passes,yet the uglyness still holds so much appeal.

Neil.

You talking about Spike or Lauren? :lol: (only jokin Lauren, couldnt resist that one!)

Actually, seeing him in a pic next to someone really showcases just how much he is, its hard to judge from pics just of him. This gives it perspective.

[GyrXPeales]

Jeff ( GyrXPeales),
These photos are for you.I thought you might like to see Lauren in her element.;) ;)

Hehehe! Them's blackmail pictures Sheriff. Girls can be so mushy, I bet she baby talks to the little fluff ball too. All I can say is she would fit in perfectly in my house. One thing I regret about this summer is not having a bird for Megan and I to imprint. Lauren has a lot of adoptive uncles and fathers over here, that being the case she must get that goofy imprint stuff from me. There is a strong family resemblance there.:lol:
Learning how to imprint from a top imprinter is worth it's weight in gold Lauren, you'll learn more about birds than you ever dreamed of. So please my dear, PAY ATTENTION.:lol:
PMSL,
Jeff

[HarrisHawkingNovice]

Neil,

I know he is going to turn into this beautiful eagle, but man, he sure looks like an ostrich now! LOL :lol: You gotta love him! :heart:

Fred

looks like a penguin sat like that

[Mr_Colin]

Actually, seeing him in a pic next to someone really showcases just how much he is, its hard to judge from pics just of him. This gives it perspective.

Exactly why I asked.

So it's not Neil's Daughter then:oops: , My bad:lol:

[Tacatanach]

You should watch out when its time for Lauren to come back to the states, Make sure and check all of her carry ons, she might try and bring the eagle back. She can be tricky:)

[Rab Marshall]

looking good neil,can't wait so see how spike turns out at the end of the season,with the flying time u give ur birds we should see if theres a diff with imprint,pr eagles,rab

[Gary F]

A couple from today at 30 days. Lauren is smitten I think.
great pics mate,,lauren does look smitten,
so wots your secret ,how do you get 2 good looking birds in ya living room.and get away with it,my mrs would kill me.

[Berkut]

great pics mate,,lauren does look smitten,
so wots your secret ,how do you get 2 good looking birds in ya living room.and get away with it,my mrs would kill me.

8-) 8-)

[Berkut]

Never weighed Spike yesterday but today he is exactly 5 lbs.Pics to follow.

[Berkut]

Just one photograph today.

[Berkut]

What a difference 12 days makes.:shock: :shock:

[Pendleside]

at what age will he become mobile ?
and whats the plan when he is ?

[Berkut]

at what age will he become mobile ?
and whats the plan when he is ?

Another couple of weeks yet,but when he does he will be allowed free access of the garden which includes his choice of blocks or bow perches.As soon as it looks like he can fly he will be tethered. That side of it worked well with the female from last year.

[Pendleside]

Another couple of weeks yet,but when he does he will be allowed free access of the garden which includes his choice of blocks or bow perches.As soon as it looks like he can fly he will be tethered. That side of it worked well with the female from last year.


no more chillin in front of the fire then ?:D

[Mark Collins]

Nice one neil, looking good, mark.

[Matthew Patching]

Elly -
I have had a couple of sore ones from the eagles. The worst one being the first day Cinnabar waited on.She was well up and after a while my bottle crashed and I was preparing to call her in to a rabbit leg on the lure. I was unaware she had seen me prepare the lure and looked up as the undercarriage came out at 100 feet or so . I threw the lure out which she ignored and camed straight at me. My glove was off so I put put my arm up to fend her off. She took hold of my arm. One talon went completely round my wrist without a scratch.The hind toe of the other talon went in one side of the meaty part of my very muscular;) :-D forearm and came right out the other side. I have never known pain like it and had to push my thumb under the hind toe and wrench it out. I could actually see right through my arm. There was no blood at first but by the time I got back to the jeep I was soaked in blood. On top of that it was -10 degrees so all in all it was not pleasant.
I drove myself to A & E and the nurses would not believe my story at first.They reckoned I had been stabbed.

Hurts dont it neil, Had fiddich clamp down one day just above the cuff of the glove, back talon on the back of my forearm, under the muscle, and just watching the skin on the underside of my forarm spike up, painfull at the time, but I struggled lifting stuff for about 2 weeks.

I think the worse place to get grabbed, (grabbed is the wrong word, its more like a thump, a warning shot) is in the right hand, your whole hand swells up, but theres no holes, and you cant use it for weeks, which can be a problem when you live alone! lol:lol:

[Matthew Patching]

Ouch. :shock: I was thinking the other day about how most of us will have been footed by our birds of choice at some point or other, being had by something harris sized is bad enough, but an eagle can cause some major damage.. Sounds a particularly nasty one. If it'd been me, i probably would have fainted before making it back to the jeep LOL.

once you have been grabbed properly by an eagle, the little birds dont realy hurt! 8-) :roll: :D

[Matthew Patching]

Congratulations Neil you have a new daughter!

I thought you were only 25 neil!

[CJTaylor]

what a very proud confident looking chick he is neil,i take it he must of caught a fleeting glimpse of john on a visit? which has obviously boosted his ego?..colin

[Elly]

once you have been grabbed properly by an eagle, the little birds dont realy hurt! 8-) :roll: :D

I dont doubt it for a second! :lol:

[LongVVing]

Keep this thread updated its brilliant especially for a non eagle guy like myself.

Mark:supz:

[HawkEagle]

once you have been grabbed properly by an eagle, the little birds dont realy hurt! 8-) :roll: :D

Spot on mate although I have never been grabbed by my eagle yet but I do have alot less fear toward smaller birds.

[Matthew Patching]

Spot on mate although I have never been grabbed by my eagle yet but I do have alot less fear toward smaller birds.

I have only been grabbed a couple of times, and on none of the occasions was it realy intentional on the birds part, inexperienced flyers landing wrong is the most common cause, either too far up the arm, or completely misjudgeing a landing, coming off the soar, or across wind. I have however been punched in the right hand a few times, and these sting!

[Berkut]

32 - Days today - 5lb 6 oz
A couple of photos from today.

[Berkut]

He even likes my jokes.:lol:

[Matthew Patching]

He even likes my jokes.:lol:

Nah he's yawning at them.

The lure in the second pic looks a bit small for him!

[Berkutchi]

You should watch out when its time for Lauren to come back to the states, Make sure and check all of her carry ons, she might try and bring the eagle back. She can be tricky

You know me too well, Therese! Though I must say, your schemes to jess up those aplomados have been my inspiration.

Comparison!!..... Colin, how do you know Lauren (Berkutchi) isn't a Dwarfette PMSL

Ha - this is true! Spike is actually WAY bigger than he appears.

A couple from today at 30 days. Lauren is smitten I think.

great pics mate,,lauren does look smitten

Smitten I am. For years I’ve read of falconers raising eyass goldens (not the mal-imprints from older literature) - and the details of how they grow almost exponentially, clomp about with a different sort of insight, and explore the world with a unique sort of intelligence – and then going on to do great things with them in the field. I’ve always pictured it, imagined what it would be like to interact with a growing golden, and have witnessed the end result pursuing hare and fox - but to get to see and do it...

I’m deep in Bruce Haak’s book, “The Hunting Falcon”. He certainly knows how to boil the intangibles of hawking down to words. In an except from it, explaining why falconry, he says “One of a kind experiences, like finding a eyrie, raising an eyass, trapping a passage falcon, or witnessing a truly spectacular flight by a falcon working in concert with man and dog, become mental pictures long remembered.” I can guarantee that these days are experiences long remembered – images I will no doubt look back fondly on.

To sit with and socialize this eyass in the sun, while he preens his ever-growing primaries, turns his head upsidown to gaze inquisitively at you, then run his beak through your hair. Or after eating the last morsels of a dish of food, to step forward a few paces, watch the eyelids droop, and then to collapse aside you in sound sleep – it’s a wonderfully endearing process. Even with the perils of aggression, deciphering the jigsaw that is their mentality is all part of it. A fantastic contrast to equally wonderful serious hare hawking on the hill - together its brilliant.

Some people have asked, why do an imprint golden? What’s the point? Yes, chamber birds have proven their merit and in the US passage eagles are a blessing. But the simple answer is, because you can. Bruce also said “Falconry for many of its participants remains mystical, religious, and deeply personal. Trained hawks are a reflection of a person’s talents and aspirations”. That is truth. A goal I've always held is to raise an eyass golden and hawk jacks/hares from a wait-on in wide-open, endless ground - there are a lot of reasons for that, that mirror the kind of person I am. Falconry IS highly personal. Because of the often negative attitudes to eagles in the states, especially the imprints, it wasn't an endeavor I often shared - but its something I've always held and will do in the future. Because I can.

Congratulations Neil you have a new daughter!


So it's not Neil's Daughter then, My bad

Hehehe! Them's blackmail pictures Sheriff. Girls can be so mushy, I bet she baby talks to the little fluff ball too. All I can say is she would fit in perfectly in my house. One thing I regret about this summer is not having a bird for Megan and I to imprint. Lauren has a lot of adoptive uncles and fathers over here, that being the case she must get that goofy imprint stuff from me. There is a strong family resemblance there.
Learning how to imprint from a top imprinter is worth it's weight in gold Lauren, you'll learn more about birds than you ever dreamed of. So please my dear, PAY ATTENTION.
PMSL,
Jeff

Ha, cheers! You sum it up so well, Jeff! Your posts always bring a smile to my face. I do feel an okiehawker at heart - and am doubtlessly indebted to all my falconry uncles across the pond. There was many a time I would've been lost without you all. Tim especially.

But aye, I ken (:lol:) - my Scottish surrogate father. Its something to have such a like-minded hawking buddy. To borrow again from Bruce Haak, to “direct me along the path of knowing and doing...a course of challenge and study." Duly noted, Jeff - pay attention I will. I've noticed that the imprint process is a learning process on a lot of levels - so steadily and vigilantly building a foundation, your every err (or success) magnified down the road. A test of your ability to get inside the bird's head and of your problem-solving capability.

And pictures: I thought a photo showing a footspan would be of interest. The next is when he managed to shakily clamber to his feet and flap his wings during a particularly strong gust of wind. Finally, a weary Spike.

Thanks for the comments all, and all the best!

--Lauren

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spike3.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spike2.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spikeII.jpg

[Matt]

look at him now ! iv not been on the thread for a few days and he is changiong fast now .

all that down/fluf to come off and about 3 pounds of feather scale to lol

we have it all over the house , no sooner you have hoovered it all up our littel imprint has shacken preened and its as bad as when i started cleaning lol
only make you love them more lol .

all the beat and keep up the good work .

[SakerYZF]

32 - Days today - 5lb 6 oz
A couple of photos from today.

Looking great !

[Berkut]

Looking great !

Cheers Chris.I,ll speak on the phone over the weekend.

[Hardcore Hawker]

Another great thread in the making Neil 5lb odd at thirty two days thats awesome, Just one question do you do any special exercises with your left arm to build it up for the hawking season:lol:

[Austringer84]

he's comming on lovely. good for u mate.

si

[Hound]

neil hes looking very impresive

[Kevin Massey]

Them feet look killers allready.... would the foot musles be developed yet?

[Kevin Massey]

You have to keep these pics coming, I get them coming in the office now asking "hows spike"?:rolleyes:

[Berkut]

I received a telephone call earlier in the week from Mike Tomkies asking if he could come and see me today as it was his 80th birthday and he would love to spend some time with an eagle.

He arrived around lunchtime and was over the moon when he realised I had Spike. He said in over 3000hrs watching Golden Eagles from hides,he had never been closer than 50 ft to an eaglet.

I had a good time chatting to the great man and we could have talked all day.
What a brilliant sense of humour he has,combined with many interesting stories.

He was offered to stay over ,but prefers the solitude of his camper van ,so is off on his travels with a nice bottle of single malt whisky from me,which he says will help him sleep tonight when he finds a secluded spot to bed down.

Here are few photographs from today.

[Berkut]

He also signed all his books that I have.

[Mr_Colin]

he's a big ******:lol: , How often are you cleaning that carpet and you should watch him as he's so glued to the tv he can't keep his head up.:lol:

Obviously I'm taking about Spike:lol:

[Matthew Patching]

Very nice neil, make an old mans dreams come true, bet you had a great day, spike is looking good aswell!

[Berkut]

Very nice neil, make an old mans dreams come true, bet you had a great day, spike is looking good aswell!
Matt
I have to say his visit made my day, but him saying I had helped him fulfill one of his own dreams was great.

[Matthew Patching]

How the **** am I sposed to congratulate you with no rep, oh well, here geos.

Nice one mate.

How heavy is spike today?

[CJTaylor]

Gosh Neil i wasnt expecting Mike to look that old?, but the odd pics of him i have in his books ,i forget ive had many of them over 20 years..funny isnt it how we age and then you see people who you have a pre encased pic in your mind from years ago, and your shocked that theyve aged??

[Berkut]

How the **** am I sposed to congratulate you with no rep, oh well, here geos.

Nice one mate.

How heavy is spike today?

Just weighed in at 5 lb 9.5 oz empty .

[Elly]

Glad you had a good day with Mike. Which eagle is he holding in the pic?

Spike looks awesome, and so does the carpet all things considered :lol: 5lb9.. wow...

[Berkut]

Glad you had a good day with Mike. Which eagle is he holding in the pic?

Spike looks awesome, and so does the carpet all things considered :lol: 5lb9.. wow...

Elly,
Thanks it was a great day. That was Bentley on Mikes fist.

[Gary F]

nice one mate, mike looks good for 80,,i bet he was over the moon, having bentley on his fist, and seeing spike,
do you think he might come by again and do some filming??
bet you was over the moon also

[Palmer]

Excellant stuff mate, looks like a good day had by all!

Also good for spike seeing new people :supz:

Good man

[Berkut]

nice one mate, mike looks good for 80,,i bet he was over the moon, having bentley on his fist, and seeing spike,
do you think he might come by again and do some filming??
bet you was over the moon also

He took some film today and is popping by in a week or 10 days to see how Spike is doing. He asked if he could buy Spike.
He reckons he is hooked and wants to see the eagles fly for sure during the coming season.

[Mark Collins]

Brilliant neil, looks like you made his day, i must say he looks very well for 80, cheers, mark.

[Berkut]

Another great thread in the making Neil 5lb odd at thirty two days thats awesome, Just one question do you do any special exercises with your left arm to build it up for the hawking season:lol:

No, but at the end of the season it matches my right arm.:lol: ;)

[Berkut]

I like this one from today.

[Elly]

I like this one from today.

Awwww he looks less like a dodo each day, which can only be a good thing. Those feet are huge already! :supz: :heart:

[Eagle Owl]

Holy ****, Neil...he has gotten huge :!: I haven't been on here in several days and he has grown like a weed!!!!!!!!

Lauren, you really need to bring him back with you:wink:

[Berkut]

Holy ****, Neil...he has gotten huge :!: I haven't been on here in several days and he has grown like a weed!!!!!!!!

Lauren, you really need to bring him back with you:wink:

Brandi ,
18 days , 26 days and 33 days.

[TimDog80]

hes looking great neil :supz: , cant wait to see him in another 2 weeks!!!

best regards
tim:D

[Cyclone]

looking good mate! i have a 4 1/2 week old long Eared owl that would be a snack for him lol
cyclone

[Taffy1]

GOT YOUR WORK CUT OUT THERE GOOD LUCK AND MORE PICS SOON:lol:

[Berkut]

GOT YOUR WORK CUT OUT THERE GOOD LUCK AND MORE PICS SOON:lol:

It,s a labour of love.;) Pics every day hopefully.:cool:

[Berkut]

hes looking great neil :supz: , cant wait to see him in another 2 weeks!!!

best regards
tim:D

Me too Tim.The only thing is, the times is passing too quickly already,or at least it seems that way at the rate he is growing.;)

[TimDog80]

Me too Tim.The only thing is, the times is passing too quickly already,or at least it seems that way at the rate he is going.;)
its a facinating process while it lasts though aint it mate? and even more satisfying when it all comes together in the field:D (not that i have done it at the level you are but only with spars but still a great experience all the same;) )....... look forward to your next update as usual mate!!!

best regards
tim:D

[Berkut]

Now 34 days and weighing in empty at 5 lb 13 oz. Photos to follow.

[Elly]

****** me, nearly 6lb... Is he standing up/walking yet or still shuffling around?

[Berkut]

****** me, nearly 6lb... Is he standing up/walking yet or still shuffling around?

Stands up and tries to walk but falls over pretty quickly. Won,t be long now though.

[KiteTrainer]

what a very proud confident looking chick he is neil,i take it he must of caught a fleeting glimpse of john on a visit? which has obviously boosted his ego?..colin


:lol:
Very good Colin

[Berkut]

Not weighed him today but a few pics of him - now 35 days.The one from above shows his feathers starting to grow.

[TiercelJim]

that last pictures good niel,goldie/swan hybrid?

[Mark Collins]

Stunning neil.

[PitBullOne]

wow!

[Hound]

what a cracker neil

[HuntersAll]

I managed to meet spike in the down:D today,the first thoughts into my head on seeing him was ''AWESOME'' and ''AWESOME'' again.When the closest you've came is through pics in books and t.v you just can't envisage the size and beauty of an eaglet,i felt privaleged to have had him nibble my hand while i rubbed his chest and admired those huge feet and talons.Neil,i know we only met for a few hours but i quickly picked up on how knowledgable you are,not just on eagles but the different falconry subjects we disscused,it truly is a way of life rather than a passion for you.I Wish you all the best with spike and hope i get the chance to yomp a moor with you and your eagles this coming season.
Regards,
Tony...

[Berkut]

I managed to meet spike in the down:D today,the first thoughts into my head on seeing him was ''AWESOME'' and ''AWESOME'' again.When the closest you've came is through pics in books and t.v you just can't envisage the size and beauty of an eaglet,i felt privaleged to have had him nibble my hand while i rubbed his chest and admired those huge feet and talons.Neil,i know we only met for a few hours but i quickly picked up on how knowledgable you are,not just on eagles but the different falconry subjects we disscused,it truly is a way of life rather than a passion for you.I Wish you all the best with spike and hope i get the chance to yomp a moor with you and your eagles this coming season.
Regards,
Tony...

Tony,
Good to meet you and see your enthusiasm for your peregrines. Your face was a picture when you saw Spike and I look forward to a day on the moors.
All the best,
Neil.

[Berkut]

Weighed in with a small amount of food in his crop at 6 lb 1.5 oz:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

[ReluctantTwitcher]

Weighed in with a small amount of food in his crop at 6 lb 1.5 oz:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Hi Neil,

Sounds like he's gonna be a well-built lad in the end!!!

I just love the look on Spike's face in the pics btw - he really seems to be content and relaxed at all times.
Looking forward to hear more about him in the near future! ("Spikeafix - recommended by falconers worldwide.
Reduces your symptoms of Moulting Blues with 67%." LOL)

Cheers,
/Magnus

[Austringer84]

Neil, nichola says he's sooo cute and welcome to stay anytime.

good luck with him

si

[SakerYZF]

Looking fantastic!:-D

[Berkut]

Spike now 36 days old .Zero weight gain today but it has been warm and his appetite has not been what it normally is.
I have now had him 3 weeks and in that time his weight has gone from 1lb 6 oz to 61b 1.5 oz.
He managed to show off his long legs today and is getting steadier on his feet.

[TimDog80]

he looks a complete diffrent bird today neil:o :D ....... stunning mate!!!!

best regards
tim:D

[Matthew Patching]

I have now had him 3 weeks and in that time his weight has gone from 1lb 6 oz to 61b 1.5 oz.
.

So what you are saying Niel, is that he is a fat little ****er!

[Berkut]

So what you are saying Niel, is that he is a fat little ****er!

I couldn,t say such a thing about my "wee" Spike.He's soooooooo cute.;)

[TimDog80]

I couldn,t say such a thing about my "wee" Spike.He's soooooooo cute.;)

neil,
your starting to write like a girl mate:lol: ;) ........"soooooooo cute" :lol:

[Berkut]

neil,
your starting to write like a girl mate:lol: ;) ........"soooooooo cute"


:oops: ;)

[Matthew Patching]

He's soooooooo cute.;)

Bueaty is in the eye of the beholder, bet the hares wont think he is so cute. lol.

Anyways, putting on 5lb in 30 days aint that bad, my missus could put on 5lb looking at a chocolate bar!

[Berkut]

Spike now 37 days - Feather growth incredible.

[Lady]

He's sooooooooooo cute!!!!!!!

I'm a girl, and I'm allowed!:heart:

[Paddy1]

nice one neil he is locking ace mate how is his temperament ????

[Cyclone]

:o bloody hell hes grown! looking good mate
Shane

[Berkut]

I thought I would post a series of photographs to demonstrate his progress.

[Berkut]

And more

[Big JoeJoe]

I am in Love with that bird he is ace Neil:heart: :supz: :supz: :supz:

Cheers Joe

[Berkutchi]

Great pictures - must have a good camera :wink: I especially like the final one - the headshot - you can see the character in him.

Time flies when you're having fun. Seems like yesterday he was just the little 1lb 6oz fuzzball. Putting the photos up for comparison, just highlights the incredible growth rate - seems as if its almost before your eyes.

--Lauren

[Agent D.]

my babs stood up 2day! tall n proud! race is on for the 1st brown! :supz:

[Falcon]

Fantastic Photo's Neil, like Lauren says the head shot of him says it all...."Am just so Swarve, Good looking, Just call me Stud!!!!!" :supz:
I guess he won't be on his nest today, unless he's wearing his waterproofs:roll:
He's coming on a real treat, Well Done!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Elly]

my babs stood up 2day! tall n proud! race is on for the 1st brown! :supz:

Awwwwww! :heart:

[Austringer84]

my babs stood up 2day! tall n proud! race is on for the 1st brown! :supz:

i think a race for the first brown would be fun...keep us updated, they are both coming along brilliantly, thanks for sharing

si

[Berkut]

Spike hasn't been weighed for a couple of days but came in today at 6 lb 9 oz.

[Berkut]

my babs stood up 2day! tall n proud! race is on for the 1st brown! :supz:

Dave,
You've got me shaking in my shoes. :D ;)

[Palmer]

Spike hasn't been weighed for a couple of days but came in today at 6 lb 9 oz.

:shock: :shock: :shock: he weighs more than me:roll:

[Berkut]

2 in similar pose but only a few days apart.

[Hound]

bloody hell neil i thought my pere/saker had put weight on nothing like your spike. so how much is he eating

[Berkut]

bloody hell neil i thought my pere/saker had put weight on nothing like your spike. so how much is he eating

Funnily enough he's cut his intake right down to just one of those dishes you see in the photos per day.It was 2 of them per day until a couple of days ago.

[SakerYZF]

How DO you keep that carpit in such good nick!! :supz:

[Elly]

How DO you keep that carpit in such good nick!! :supz:

Bet Spikes got a nappy on under all that fuzz, its the only way!

[Berkut]

How DO you keep that carpit in such good nick!! :supz:

Usually I have 1 hr between mutes but I have a bucket on standby. To date my catch rate is 100 %. ;)

[SakerYZF]

To date my catch rate is 100 %. ;)

Haha Sounds like my goshawk :-P

[Berkut]

3 from today.

[Palmer]

Have to say Neil he's a very lucky eaglet

[Mark Collins]

lOOKING GOOD NEIL, WILL YOU BE TAME HACKING HIM LOCAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! HA HA , SERIOUSLY WERE DO YOU START , DO YOU WAIT UNTIL HARD PENNED AND PUT HIM ON A CREANCE OR DO YOU GO TO A GLEN OUT THE WAY AND LET HIM LEARN UNDER YOUR SUPERVISION, BE INTERESTED TO NO , CHEERS, MARK.

[HuntersAll]

Usually I have 1 hr between mutes but I have a bucket on standby. To date my catch rate is 100 %. ;)

No need to paint the skirting boards for a while if you miss one of those slices..lol. I can see a lot of difference from last sunday from the 2 pics he's stunning.
Regards,
Tony.

[Berkut]

lOOKING GOOD NEIL, WILL YOU BE TAME HACKING HIM LOCAL!!!!!!!!!!!!! HA HA , SERIOUSLY WERE DO YOU START , DO YOU WAIT UNTIL HARD PENNED AND PUT HIM ON A CREANCE OR DO YOU GO TO A GLEN OUT THE WAY AND LET HIM LEARN UNDER YOUR SUPERVISION, BE INTERESTED TO NO , CHEERS, MARK.

Mark,
I have a piece of ground earmarked where I will take him for long periods before he can actually fly and will let it progress from there. Ultimately the option of tame hack for periods of around 4 hrs per day is planned.Looking forward to it.
All the best,
Neil.

[LadyHawke]

He's beautiful, Neil. Very cute, with his tiny feathers coming in and all. Is he able to walk about much yet? or is he just at the sit/stand stage? Please forgive my ignorance.

[Berkut]

He's beautiful, Neil. Very cute, with his tiny feathers coming in and all. Is he able to walk about much yet? or is he just at the sit/stand stage? Please forgive my ignorance.
Alison,
He is pretty much just at the sit and stand stage,although getting steadier by the day.Although I spend all my waken time with him I can see huge differences in him from day to day. I find it incredible.
All the best,
Neil.

[LadyHawke]

What stage do baby eagles usualluy pen at? It all just seems so quick! The rate of development for him seems enormous, no wonder he was eating so much! I think you will have your hands full when he finds his legs and starts clunking around the house! Will you let him have the run of the room, or will you try and curtail his movements (for the sake of your interior decoration, if nothing else!) Sorry to be a pest, but I'm really interested - the thread is fab.

[Berkut]

What stage do baby eagles usualluy pen at? It all just seems so quick! The rate of development for him seems enormous, no wonder he was eating so much! I think you will have your hands full when he finds his legs and starts clunking around the house! Will you let him have the run of the room, or will you try and curtail his movements (for the sake of your interior decoration, if nothing else!) Sorry to be a pest, but I'm really interested - the thread is fab.

Males pen around 12 weeks. I do give him freedom of the house but have a bucket handy at all times. When he gets really mobile he will go out to the garden and be allowed to choose his preferred perch and I have a nest out there for him also. I have to say the process is passing far too quickly for my liking but I,m loving it while it lasts.

[LadyHawke]

I bet you are! To spend the time bringing up and loving such wonderful bird must be fantastic, I can see that it would be too short. I can only imagine the enjoyment you get from him as he achieves more and more each day.

[Berkut]

A couple of photographs of Spike today at 39 days - Not weighed but will be tomorrow.

[Eagle Owl]

He sure has grown, Neil!! And that is one big crop on him...looks like a boob in the picture on the left:lol: :rolleyes:

[Berkut]

He sure has grown, Neil!! And that is one big crop on him...looks like a boob in the picture on the left:lol: :rolleyes:

A hairy one at that. :lol:

[MickeyDredd]

Nice to see you hoovered before taking his pic Neil, you're such a perfectionist!! ;) :lol:

He's coming on great!!! :supz:

[Berkutchi]

Nice to see you hoovered before taking his pic Neil, you're such a perfectionist!! :lol:

He's coming on great!!! :supz:

If the signatures from a few months ago were any indication, Neil DOES like his Queen music...you should see him hoover. :lol: :finga:

Agreed, Spike's development is just amazing.


--Lauren

[Matt]

hi neil , what size head has he got now ?

looking good .
all the best matt

[HorseBox]

NEED help how do you start thred

[Berkut]

NEED help how do you start thred

Click on all "all forums",select a topic or category and then click on "New Thread" . Easy peasy.;)

[Berkut]

hi neil , what size head has he got now ?

looking good .
all the best matt

Matt,
Not forgotten about you.Run ragged with work at the moment.

[Berkut]

Photos later but weighed in empty at 6 lb 11 oz.

[Kevin Massey]

Neil Get a pic with some one else in the picture....give it some prospective on size:supz: Were trying to work it out off the back of the thickness of a dvd player here :-)

[Berkut]

Feather growth continues to amaze me.Hooding going to plan.

[Palmer]

Looking good, is it any hood that fits at the mo?

[Berkut]

Looking good, is it any hood that fits at the mo?

Starting to use proper eagle hoods now. Griff has posted off Spikes proper hood today.8-)

[Palmer]

Starting to use proper eagle hoods now. Griff has posted off Spikes proper hood today.8-)

Can't wait to see it on him 8-) 8-)

Have you orderd it exactually how you wanted, or is it a suprise?

[Berkut]

Can't wait to see it on him 8-) 8-)

Have you orderd it exactually how you wanted, or is it a suprise?

I leave that side of it to Griff. He knows what is required. I have never been disappointed yet.

[Palmer]

I leave that side of it to Griff. He knows what is required. I have never been disappointed yet.

Good stuff, he can only stay at myn if he looks smart though!!!8-)

[HorseBox]

Click on all "all forums",select a topic or category and then click on "New Thread" . Easy peasy.;)THANKS thought you would help me out

[Pogger]

Feather growth continues to amaze me.Hooding going to plan.

He really looks good Neil. I'm enjoying this thread so much. :D

[Afshimo]

he looks like he's going to be a stunner, needs to grow into his fluffy boots still. they look huge! bless :heart:

all the best with him, cant wait to hear how he gets on this season!

Han

[Austringer84]

He still looks so sweet, its strange i cant wait to see him in full feather and hard penned, but at the same point i dont want him to stop being all fluffy and sweet looking!!! know what i mean?

si

[Berkut]

He still looks so sweet, its strange i cant wait to see him in full feather and hard penned, but at the same point i dont want him to stop being all fluffy and sweet looking!!! know what i mean?

si

Si,
I know what you mean.The process will be over far too quickly for my liking.Good job I,m videoing him for 15 minutes every day.

[Berkut]

Some photos from today at 41 days - 6lb 12 oz. Weight increase will slow down now as the goodness goes into feather growth. His new hood arrived from Griff this morning and he will fill it soon,although nearly does already.Hooding is going to plan. 1 of the photos is beside the standard spray bittle I use on him to give you an idea of his size.

[Paddy1]

bloody hell he is huge lol looking good neil will be slaughtering hares in no time :supz:

[Hound]

bloody hell neil that is a bird and a half

[SakerYZF]

Looking Awsome :-)

[Berkut]

Virtually zero appetite today as it has been so warm and muggy. Weighed in at 7lbs 2 oz - 42 days

[Gary F]

looking great mate, feathers coming through fast now??,

[Berkut]

looking great mate, feathers coming through fast now??,

Yes Gary,they certainly are.Nice and dark ,which is what I was after.

[LongVVing]

Yes Gary,they certainly are.Nice and dark ,which is what I was after.

That dark feathering should make the Golden head feathers really stand out.
Will be interesting to see a pic of him with his hackles raised.

Is there anything significantly different in the way you are raising him compared to Elsa?

Mark.

[Berkut]

That dark feathering should make the Golden head feathers really stand out.
Will be interesting to see a pic of him with his hackles raised.

Is there anything significantly different in the way you are raising him compared to Elsa?

Mark.

Mark,
Due to getting him at 14 days (Elsa was 29 days),I am taking him everywhere with me and doing a lot of socialising with him. It is my intention to do some tame hacking with him also.

In the past the breeder has used specific parent birds on request. Coincidentally if I had been in a position to choose Spikes parents, it would have been the ones he has, as they throw particularly dark chicks,which I like ,for the very reason you mention.
Neil.

[Richard]

Do you think you'll tame hack him at some hunting ground if possible(i.e. moors)? Fantastic comparing the first and last pictures :)

[Pearl]

outstanding thread mate i would say something better but i cant mate , call me gay but i love this man :supz:

[Lady]

I can't wait to meet him. I'm getting all excited now - God knows what I'll be like by autumn! :heart:

[Gary F]

outstanding thread mate i would say something better but i cant mate , call me gay but i love this man :supz:
ok ya gay, springer. pmsl

[Berkut]

No pics so far today but he weighed in empty this morning at 7 lb 3.5 oz - 43 days. Just checked back on the Elsa thread and
at 43 days she weighed 8 lb 1 oz.

He is standing up a lot more now, but drops onto his hunkers everytime I get the camera out. He stood upright and preened for a while today.

[Palmer]

He's coming on a treat mate, will he be fully developed by the Festival?

And also do they change colour of the feather in the first moult as many birds do??

[Berkut]

He's coming on a treat mate, will he be fully developed by the Festival?

And also do they change colour of the feather in the first moult as many birds do??

Should be approaching hard penning by the festival. They often get lighter in colour due to the bleaching of the sun.

[SakerYZF]

He'l be old enough to drink then :-) :-) :-)

[Elly]

Growth rate is slowing up. How is the wee man today? How much is he eating a day now compared with a couple of weeks ago?

[Palmer]

Should be approaching hard penning by the festival. They often get lighter in colour due to the bleaching of the sun.

Can't wait to see the little chap8-)

[Berkut]

Growth rate is slowing up. How is the wee man today? How much is he eating a day now compared with a couple of weeks ago?

Elly,
Growth rate has slowed down and all the goodness seems to be going into feather growth now.Here are a few photographs of him at work today.

[Sarah J]

He's such a stud :heart: :yawinkle:

[TimDog80]

top thread neil!!!!!!
he really is looking "the bussiness" now mate, the pic of him standing up is great:D , be interesting as he starts growing up and practising his footing on things:yawinkle:

best regards
tim:D

[Mark Collins]

Looking good neil, well done mate, he is a credit to you, mark.

[Bones]

Looking great mate well done and keep the pics coming

PAUL

[SakerYZF]

I can just imagine what the seagulls are thinking !!! "YIKES" :supz:

Looking fantastic ;-)

Chris.

[Berkut]

A quick comparison.

[Palmer]

A quick comparison.

He's awsome! almost looks black?

[Palmer]

I've been trying to work out what car you have from various pics, im thinking new L200 or shogan?

[Phoenix1]

umm didnt know you could get a flying male for the bonnet ?
he's stunning uk bred or from belgium ?
mick

[Berkut]

umm didnt know you could get a flying male for the bonnet ?
he's stunning uk bred or from belgium ?
mick

UK bred.Andrew Knowles-Brown.

[Gos702]

looking good mate ,what size shoe is he in now?

[Stealth]

I'll be impressed when he (Spike!) drives the Shogun!!!!!:rolleyes:

[Berkut]

I've been trying to work out what car you have from various pics, im thinking new L200 or shogan?

L200 Warrior.;)

[Palmer]

L200 Warrior.;)

:supz: I got to much time on my hands:roll: :oops:

The silver mirrors gave it away

[Richard]

:supz: I got to much time on my hands:roll: :oops:

The silver mirrors gave it away

Not the logo above the tax disc then :rolleyes:

When did Elsa being showing early signs of aggression Neil? Is it because of the risk of aggression that you got the bird earlier?

[Phoenix1]

ok looking at the moor behind you must be lost again bloody sat nav
can you pm me andrews number ?
thanks
mick

[Palmer]

Not the logo above the tax disc then :rolleyes:

I didn't actually see that:oops: , but it would of helped

[Elly]

He looks awesome, amazing how quickly the feathers are developing now. He is lovely and dark. :supz:

[Berkut]

He looks awesome, amazing how quickly the feathers are developing now. He is lovely and dark. :supz:

Elly,
I had hoped he would be nice and dark.;)

[Paddy1]

hi neil he looks awesome hows cinnabar and how did she get on at the vets ?????

[Berkut]

hi neil he looks awesome hows cinnabar and how did she get on at the vets ?????

Paddy,
She's booked in for an appointment tomorrow.Will know better after that.

[Paddy1]

Paddy,
She's booked in for an appointment tomorrow.Will know better after that.



keep us informed mate perhaps her own thread ???

[Berkut]

keep us informed mate perhaps her own thread ???

Cheers Paddy.I'll keep you posted.

[Hardcore Hawker]

Neil, Another great adventure in the making with this thread. Why dont you put pen to paper and get published??? I am always hungry for a good falconry book and things i feel have been lacking in that area for a few years now. All the best Steve.

[Elly]

Neil, Another great adventure in the making with this thread. Why dont you put pen to paper and get published??? I am always hungry for a good falconry book and things i feel have been lacking in that area for a few years now. All the best Steve.

We're all waiting for the book! :supz:

[Berkut]

Neil, Another great adventure in the making with this thread. Why dont you put pen to paper and get published??? I am always hungry for a good falconry book and things i feel have been lacking in that area for a few years now. All the best Steve.

We're all waiting for the book! :supz:


Consideration is being given to this.In consultation with Mike Tomkies on a daily basis.;)

[Elly]

I want a signed and numbered copy! :yawinkle:

[SakerYZF]

Consideration is being given to this.In consultation with Mike Tomkies on a daily basis.;)

Put me down for one too!!:-D

[Berkut]

A couple of Spike today at 45 days.I will weigh him later.

[Palmer]

Looking good! i want a signed copy as well:yawinkle: 8-)

[Gary F]

Consideration is being given to this.In consultation with Mike Tomkies on a daily basis.;)
thats good news mate,,, you and mike co authors or mike helping you out, wotever it will be a great book,going by your threads and posts and humour it will beat most so called eagle hawking/falconers books on the market,

[Eagle Owl]

Well, he has finally grown into his feet:rolleyes: :lol: Looking great Neil!!!

[Berkutchi]

To say there has been a lot of photos on this thread is an understatement - but I hope you guys won't mind a few more from today. I can't believe how truly dark these feathers are - approaching black in the sunlight. He's also standing up, albeit still quite unsteady, to give those wings a vigorous flap a few times a day. He's a rather stoic individual compared to Kiowa (the imprint peregrine) bounding about the garden. Another thing that struck me was how fast his feet had grown. Just brilliant.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spike.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spike1-1.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spike2-1.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/foot.jpg

--Lauren

[Gary F]

To say there has been a lot of photos on this thread is an understatement - but I hope you guys won't mind a few more from today. I can't believe how truly dark these feathers are - approaching black in the sunlight. He's also standing up, albeit still rather unsteady, to give those wings a vigorous flap a few times a day. He's a rather stoic individual compared to Kiowa (the imprint peregrine) bounding about the garden. Another thing that struck me was how fast his feet had grown. Just brilliant.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spike.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spike1-1.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/spike2-1.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s107/Berkutchi/foot.jpg

--Lauren
the more you post lauren the better, your gonna be missed

[Berkutchi]

the more you post lauren the better, your gonna be missed

Cheers Gary! :D Thanks, that's just great to read. I'll be back for a few weeks of eagle hawking this winter - but man will I miss it!

--Lauren

[Berkut]

Cheers Gary! :D Thanks, that's just great to read. I'll be back for a few weeks of eagle hawking this winter - but man will I miss it!

--Lauren

Who are you going to be hawking with.There might not be room for you after you have deserted us.:butthead: :finga:

[Elly]

We're all gunna miss Laurens contributions to the eagle threads i think. Neil, whos gunna open gates for you? And who will share your pie rolls? :rolleyes:

[Salty]

hes looking mint , i hope you still log on where your going lauren cos i think your cool you nearly had me hetro sexual:heart: :lol: ,no seriously hope you have a comp n get on here girl .salty il miss ya

[Palmer]

We're all gunna miss Laurens contributions to the eagle threads i think. Neil, whos gunna open gates for you? And who will share your pie rolls? :rolleyes:

meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, please

[Mr_Colin]

meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, please

Sod off I will do it and take the photo's for the book with Spike Hunting:supz: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE:lol:

[Palmer]

Sod off I will do it and take the photo's for the book with Spike Hunting:supz: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE:lol:

I'll do all that and give him my last rolo, anyway end of

[Mr_Colin]

I'll do all that and give him my last rolo, anyway end of

I'll take him to the pub after each hunting session and get him ****ed, bet you can't do that my young friend:lol: :supz:

[Palmer]

I'll take him to the pub after each hunting session and get him ****ed, bet you can't do that my young friend:lol: :supz:

I'll give him crack cocain

[Elly]

I'll take him to the pub after each hunting session and get him ****ed, bet you can't do that my young friend:lol: :supz:

Ahh, but i happen to know that Neil doesnt really drink a whole lot. Id buy him infinate amount of pie rolls. :supz: :butthead:

[Berkut]

Photos to follow, but I weighed Spike today. 7 lb 6oz empty - 47 days.
A lot more active now with plenty of wing flapping and he has started footing things now. Feather growth is amazing and I can see the gold starting to sprout on his head and neck.

[Mr_Colin]

I can see the gold starting to sprout on his head and neck.

Have you implanted a gold star:lol:

[Gram]

Photos to follow, but I weighed Spike today. 7 lb 6oz empty - 47 days.
A lot more active now with plenty of wing flapping and he has started footing things now. Feather growth is amazing and I can see the gold starting to sprout on his head and neck.
is he the new sherrif Neil:lol: get some pics up lets have a gander at the beaut.

[Berkut]

is he the new sherrif Neil:lol: get some pics up lets have a gander at the beaut.

Here you go.

[Stealth]

Ahh, but i happen to know that Neil doesnt really drink a whole lot. Id buy him infinate amount of pie rolls.

Scotch Pies:yawinkle:

They'll put hairs on your chest

or maybe hares in the freezer:rolleyes:

[Gram]

God he is so dark Neil,is it the pictures or is he like that in the flesh

[Berkut]

God he is so dark Neil,is it the pictures or is he like that in the flesh

He's like that in the flesh.Just what I wanted. 8-)

[Fawkes]

Just read this thread through - dont know how I missed it :rolleyes:
Great read, Niel. Looking forward to hearing of his training and hunting - and the book if you get one out :D

[Kevin Massey]

Neil you sure its a Goldie? not a Black...or even a hybred:rolleyes: :lol:

[Mr_Colin]

with that head are you sure your not imprinting a vulture:lol:

[Berkut]

Spike at 48 days - He is next to a 27 day old female peregrine to give you an idea of size.

[Richard]

Great pictures

[Gary F]

nice to see size ,but theres some great pics there,

[PaulWar3]

Love the second photo Neil. Looks like hes putting his wing around the pere. saying "dont worry little un i'll look after you".
Cant get over the size of him.:supz:

Paul

[Berkut]

Love the second photo Neil. Looks like hes putting his wing around the pere. saying "dont worry little un i'll look after you".
Cant get over the size of him.:supz:

Paul

Cheers Paul.I thought that about the 2nd photo as well.He was 7lb 6 oz yesterday.
Neil.

[PaulWar3]

Have you been watching the Golden Eagle on the springwatch webcam Neil.
Was wondering how much difference you thought there was between that one and Spike in terms of development.

Paul

[SSL]

I've tried not to fill your thread with 'awesome' posts but pics 2 and 3 are just awesome, shows a fun side to this imprinting lark.

Steve.