Kier, male Harris hawk, 2nd season.

[Saker-Clive]

Well....I've been nagged to do this but it will only be fairly short as Kier is already 'trained' but just got to get him fit and muscled up.

Last Wednesday, Sept. 8th. I turned him free after a couple of days on the creance. Snudz was with us and it was rather windy. To date, all I've been asking of him is to come and go from the fist to trees. He remembers the lures and responds to them eagerly.
Most of this week it has been very breezy, around 15-20mph. On Saturday, he coped extremely well in the wind, although he did get battered about abit in the begining. He was comming and going to about 75 yards and in that wind I was highly impressed.

By the end of the session he was 'playing' with the wind which was very spectacular (at least to me)! he was soaring and circling about and just having a good time. In fact he got quite upset when I jessed him up to come home after about 90 minutes.
We haven't beenout since as the weather has been pretty poor. I would have taken him out this afternoon but got side tracked.
From here on in, the training will be virtually the same but at different locations and longer sessions. Not feeding him after every flight and making him work hard for it. Once he has worked hard for a couple of weeks I like to rest him and give him a bloody good feed up, a whole quail or something, them slowly drop him back to flying weight.
Which at present is 1lb. 6 1/2oz.

This is basically my training regime with him.

[Hawkmaster]

Nice piccies, is he an imprint?

[Saker-Clive]

Kind of, he was creche reared and he is silent; apart from when the police helicopter flies over or we see a tractor, then he gives out his raucous 'corrrrr' a bit like a crow but louder!!!
He was reared with 2 others, both siblings.
We flew with his sister Shannon earlier this year and they got on from the start.
He really is a lovely bird, daft as a brush but lethal when he needs to do the biz. He took about 12 rabbits at the begining of the year, putin at several pheasants but didn't bind, and he also put in and chased a wood cock but lost it. Daft as he is, he chased 2 foxes; youngsters but still foxes. Put the willies up me I can tell you!!!!!

[Hawkmaster]

Wow sounds like you have the makings of a good season ahead of you? Where abouts do you fly? I used to live in Worthing and travelled all the way up to Hove at times to go hawking.

[Darren]

sounds like he is trained & knows what u want from him

[Saker-Clive]

HM, I fly at several places, all the places that I shoot, 4 golf courses and 1 farm, which are my main flying grounds; West Hove, Brighton & Hove, East Brighton and Peacehaven golf clubs and a dairy farm in Saltdean. I prefer to take him to Peacehaven, as behind the course, is a farm which puts down pheasant for a local shoot. Last year we shot about 60 of them that came on our side.
I was also extremely lucky, as I was invited several times to go out with Huxley's Experience on the Hawking Days; so all in all the pair of us had a great time.
To begin with he was a clown!!. On our first couple of invites out, he basically flew from tree to tree and behaved impecably, more like a display bird; on one occaision we were heading back to the vehicle when we saw a cock pheasant, 50 yards in front of us in the middle of the feild. On the left about 50 yardy was a small copse and ahead 100 was a large single tree. I cast him towards the pheasant and he flew straight towards it. Flying straight over its head and carried on to the bloody tree!!!! Julian the owner of Huxley's just looked at me and said "I wouldn't have beleived it if I hadn't seen it".
We made a joke of it but it didn't take long before the switch got flipped!!!The rest they say is history. I wouldn't swap either bird for anything.

[Saker-Clive]

15/09/'04.
11:30. Weighed him again as first thing he registered 1lb.7oz. this time he was 1lb.5 7/8oz. I weighed him 3 times to make sure and they all corresponded. I decided to give him a chicks head before we went to make sure he had enough energy to fly.

Well was I wrong :evil: he flew up to the bushes and did not want to play :!: I had to get the lure out before he'd come. so we tried some fist to fist flying, fairly close but he decided to go back to the bushes. He wouldn't come when called, or the offering of a head, or the offering of a whole body.
We left him and had a walk about, trying to call him in. After half an hour of him 'FLYING LIKE A BUCKET', I decided enough was enough and took him home.
I tethered him on his bow perch and that is where he'll stay until later this evening.

Just goes to show, 99% of the time they can be brill but then there's today................................ :evil: :evil: :evil:

[Snudz]

Don't worry mate,

I'll be there tomorrow to help you with my minutes of experience!!! :lol: :wink:

[Saker-Clive]

16/09/'04.

Before taking Kier out; I went through with Snudz the 'falconers knot', which he accomplished pretty well :D I also showed him how to fit the swivel to the jesses.

On getting to our flying ground, Kier saw something which upset him somewhat; squawking at something which non of us could workout what. We carried on a fair way from that place and I let him go.
The flying bucket was back again :!: :!: He was not interested; his weight was 1lb.6 1/4oz so I don't think it was that unless it was too low!
He did come to the lure but again he went up to the bushes and sat there. We moved away from the bushes and headed for the corrall, I let him off again but he went straight back towards where we had just come. He decided to upset half a dozen magpies sitting in the same tree :P

After eventually getting him down, we entered the corrall and tried flying from fist to fist; he was very slow at first but by the time he got into his stride we run out of food :evil:
We came back and got out a REAL bird and took her.

At least Snudz now knows that not every session will be like a staged display :!: :!: :!:

[Saker-Clive]

17/09/'04

No flying today; the weather has been pretty c**p; took Debbie to Huxley's Experience then back here to feed the birds.

Today she held a tawny owl, Kier and Zarbu. I hopew she enjoyed her afternoon.

kier weighed 1lb.7oz, and had 3 chicks today. I will try flying him at a slightly higher weight than of late.

[Saker-Clive]

19/09/'04

He weighed in at 1lb.6 3/4oz. Seemed very keen when I went down and opened up. Took him to the usual place and let him go. I called him in but he sat in the trees whimpering; he could see the food but didn't seem to want to move. I called him several times and he eventually came.
I let him off again but he could hear a rabbit in the thick brambles. He was bobbing and looking a great deal so I let him sit for a while to see if the rabbit would break cover. Nothing, I called him in again but no response. I walked off about 70 yards away and got the lure out; he started bobbing at it and then came. Put him back into the trees and he just looked about.
I called him to the glove again and he started off. He got really good height and flew over me; I thought he may just be stooging about but no.
He carried on for about 200 yards and totally ignored my calls :evil: I just watched as he flew before legging it after him.
He went down in a tree that had 4 crows sitting in it; the crows took off and shouted at him before making off.
I eventually got him back after a further 10 minutes. jessed him back up and went home.

On getting back to the aviery he started his crying again. I left him for an hour then gave him a hind leg of rabbit I shot eary this morning. Probably wont take him out for a couple of days, then put him back on the creance for some 'back to basics' training.

[Saker-Clive]

21/09/'04

Weighed him at 08:00, and he was 1lb.7 1/4oz. Got home around 10:40 and re-weighed him prior to taking him out. 1lb. 7oz.
Took him over to the corral where I train Zarbu and put him back on the creance.

He was slow to start but he got back into his stride and settled in nicely. He didn't once try to fly off but he did stop mid way a couple of times and sat on the ground. The wind was very stiff but he does like it.

I'll keep him on the creance for a few more sessions and bring his weight back down a little, back to 1lb. 6 1/2oz. is his strong flying weight. He's had a total of 2 full chicks.

[Saker-Clive]

22/09/'04

After last nights 'attack' on me, Kier is in my bad books and he has lost some of my trust. He was flying up to the aviery wire crying for food as if he was really hungry. He had already had his feed for the day but I decided to give him one more chick.
I made him fly for it as usual but after he finished it, I showed him that I had no more food and was going to clean his beak, when he stared straight at me and gave out his raucus shreik and jumped at me feet first and caught me under the eye and nose. He knew he had done wrong, but something had 'pi***d' him off big time. I decided to weigh him to make sure that the scales weren't playing up but he weighed 1lb.8 3/4oz. (i done this 3 times to make sure). With that, I put him away for the night and will now tether him all day for the next 5 days.

He weighed 1lb.8oz. but as he was going to be on the creance, so I thought what the hell! He did not fly too bad but wasn't really keen enough. We fed him with 2 chicks flying from glove to glove then took him home.

Hopefully by next week, he would have sorted himself out and we can go free again, and go somewhere different.

[Snudz]

22/09/'04

He knew he had done wrong, but something had 'pi***d' him off big time. [/color]

.......and boy, does he want to be good for his dad now!!!! :roll: :roll:

[Darren]

are you ok Saker-Sucker

[Snudz]

are you ok Saker-Sucker

He always was UGLY!!! He's just got some dualling scars now for that "distinguished"look........ :roll: :roll:

[Saker-Clive]

Hi Darren,
'THANKS FOR THAT SNUDZY'

Yes I'm fine, I saw it comming and moved just in time; I got a couple of puncturse wounds under the eye and on my nose but apart from that, I consider myself lucky.
He knew he had done wrong and sat on the floor with his head down. It may be his age, I don't know; he will be 2 on Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Darren]

has he ever went for you before.....do you know what spooked him. Do most birds have a go with their handlers, Will i have to be ready for this when i get a bird

[Saker-Clive]

He has never 'intentionally' gone for me in a blatent attack like the other day.
Still don't know what upset him and he has only ever scratched me by accident and excitement for his food.

I guess every one at sometime will get tagged by their birds but if you can read your bird then you can keep 'mis-haps' to a minimum.

[Saker-Clive]

25/09/'04

Kier weighd 1lb.7oz. this morning so I thought we'd give him a try. Took him to a different place but as we started to take off the leash etc............
'coarrrrrrrr', he's off again! 300 yards away was a big red tractor ploughing the feilds opposite. I stayed for about ten minutes trying to get it through to him that it wont hurt him but he wasn't having any of it. So back to the car and off somewhere else.
Got him 'undressed' and let him go; he flew straight to a tree with 3 magpies in; not puturbed by their chattering at him he sat there for a few minutes taking in the veiw. I called him in but he sat there. We went and sat about 70 yards away keeping an eye on him and then I got the lure out. He came straight away. He had his reward and I kept him on the glove for a while before letting him go again.
He had a good minute or so, stooging about in the breeze then settled in a tree. This time I offered a juicy body part and he came straight away.
I put him on a picnic table and offered him the usual wing, foot etc. at 30 yards; this he managed superbly.
I decided that today, a little session this time as he is several ounces than he usually responds to. If he is not too bad this afternoon, I'll take him out again. Got to get him back into our old routine like last season.

Does anyone elses bird react to tractors or helicopters like Kier or does he need a shrink?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Darren]

Just worry if he decides to attack the Helicopter...that would be a sight. try taking him near a airport on the fist to see how he reacts?.

[Sparrow Hawker]

Hi Saker-Sucker,

Your diary posts are very interesting, there certainly eventful. I am glad you are OK. I suppose this just reiterates that birds of prey are still wild at heart and anything can happen.

All The Best,

Regards,

HH

[Snudz]

How's the Bad Lad??? Or has he been banned by the mods??? :roll:

[Saker-Clive]

The little ****** still doesn't want to playball!!!
We took him out on Tuesday morning, he sat up in the trees and only came down for the lure.
He then got mobbed by a female Kestrel and he decided enough was enough and came to the fist. We then flew him from glove to glove at 20 yards and that was it. I am trying to get his weight back down but for some reason he is getting heavier!!!! Yesterday, he weighed 1lb. 7oz, all I gave him was one and a half chicks over the course of the day. ( a leg in the early morning, then another one around tenish, then a head and wingd to the glove and at tea time the body); this morning he weighs 1lb. 8oz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll weigh him again shortly and maybe try him on the creance again but he is acting like a 'teenager'.

[Saker-Clive]

30/09/'04

THE WONDER BIRD IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We took him out this lunchtime just to get him 'out' basically, not expecting him to do much as his weight was still a little high. 1lb.7 1/4oz.

We put him on the creance and started off with a couple of 10 foot flights; then we opened up the distance on every flight until he was doing the double length of the creance. I slipped the line off but nautily left the swivel and jesses on and started to run with the dummy-bunny. He knew exactly what needed to be done and bang, first time. I told Danni to carry on walking as he came towards her thus making the distance even greater. (he flies to Danni first time every time but seems a little hesitant to come back to me!!!).
He didn't vere off once or stop short, so it was a very good session compared to recently. We will carry on like this for a few days and then get over the golf course for some rabbit and pheasant from tomorrow. At least if he takes one or two young in-experience pheasant now it will boost his confidence no end.
He's had 2 whole chicks whilt out flying today, so that will be it. Hopefully I can get him down to around 1lb.6 3/4oz. which should bring him into line a bit better. He was whimpering as he came for his food so that is a good sign!

Lets hope Zarbu does the same this evening on her maiden flight.

[Darren]

go for it mate.looks like he has remembered what to do after all.

[Saker-Clive]

I've just been down with him for a few minutes, and I was munching a tin of cold rice-pud; he enjoyed his few mouthfuls!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think he is a crazy mixed up bird :D :D :D :mrgreen:

[Snudz]

[color=red]30/09/'04

THE WONDER BIRD IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Lets hope Zarbu does the same this evening on her maiden flight.


He heh!!! 8) 8) The boy's back in town........ I hope he does a better job with the pheasants than I did on Sunday. I think a Vauxhall Cavalier is "overclubbing" it slightly. Might have to move down to a Smart car or something. Stupid bloody birds....... :roll:

Good luck this evening, I hope the video will be rolling...... :lol:

[Saker-Clive]

01/10/'04

At 1lb. 7 1/4oz. he flew really well again today, albeit from fist to fist. He was flying into the wind for 80 yards or so and back comfortably and happily.
He went for the 'bunny' as soon as he saw it on the floor. I think another few sessions like this, then back to the woods and golf courses for the bunnies and pheasants.

[Saker-Clive]

05/10/'04

He had a good feed up this weekend but he weighs 1lb.8 1/4oz today. I gave him a try and as expected he wasn't interested; I wanted to get him out just to keep the routine going but the lardy didn't 'need' to do owt. I've only fed him a couple of chick legs and wings just to keep him happy.

[Saker-Clive]

07/10/'04

!lb.7 1/2oz. The weather was great, slight breeze but Kier wasn't interested; he sat up in the trees looking around and bobbing his head at the undergrowth.
After getting him down we tried a few flights at close quarters which he managed ok then he went and sat back up in a tree!!!!!!!!!!!! I told him that I was going to eat him for Christmas dinner if he didn't buck his ideas up, and I got the lure out whilst walking away from him. I called him and he flew towards me and sat up in another tree. After getting him back down I decided that enough was enough and said that we were going home.
Once we got near the car , I put him back into the trees and went and got the 'bunny'. This got him into gear. I flew him to the bunny several times and then we went home.

It gave Snudz a better idea of what to expect when he gets his own bird one day. We went home and got my SUPER-SAKER out.

[Wightwings]

you sound a little diallusioned there clive?? hope not ya gotta remember your flying two completely different types of bird, you need to adjust your approach to suit . ( I think Zarbu has your heart at the moment ) :wink: :D

[Snudz]

[color=red]07/10/'04

I put him back into the trees and went and got the 'bunny'. This got him into gear. I flew him to the bunny several times and then we went home.
[color]

If I may just speak up for the defence Your Honor. On spying the above mentioned article (Exhibit A. "Dummy Bunny") the defendant became a quite different bird. He did commit several violent assaults on the "bunny," definately with intent, and became a lot more attentive when later questioned. On the whole a game of two halves where he came away with a valiant score draw......... :lol:

I think tractors need to be banned around Kier..........and then watchout Peter Rabbit!!! :twisted: :twisted:

[Saker-Clive]

Hi Chris,
I think you're right, I am a little dis-heartened with him this season but it is probably down to jealousy; he still hasn't forgiven me for Zarbu. Looking back at my 'flying log' on him earlier this year he did exactly the same thing. He would fly to my daughter but seemed reluctant to come back to me. It was only when I started to take him out on my own he really got into gear. Then I started to take him out twice a day as I wasn't working.
He'll get there shortly. Once Zarbu goes on a flying spree for a few days, I'll be able to really concentrate on him properly. :mrgreen: :twisted: :twisted:
He is interested, as his head bobs and you can here him whimpering for the food but he just wont go for it. I also want to get him back down to under 1lb. 7oz again

[Saker-Clive]

14/10/'04

Kier weighed 1lb. 7oz. so I thought we'd give him a fly out in and aroud the tree's and bushes. Whightwings and his lovely wife Carol came over and we all set off for a 'hopefully' pleasurable session.
As we got to the land, I let him go and he flew straight to Danni; then back to Carol and Wightwings. We put him up into the trees and after he'd been watching something he got into gear :D He was flying to all of us and in and out of the trees. He was comming a good 100 yards to us and he behaved impecably. Even that little twats on their motor bike didn't bother him!!
He played on the breeze and was a real joy to be with today. If he keeps this up over the next week, he'll be down in the woods for the rabbits and pheasants. 8) 8)
He was instant to the 'bunny' and the swing lure, I was really pleased with him considering the way he has been. I am looking forward to Wightwings and Carol getting their birds, then we will be able to get out and fly all 3 of them.

Glad you both enjoyed today. :D

[Saker-Clive]

15/10/'04.

1lb.6 3/4oz., it was pretty damm cold last night but it obviously has helped to get him back down under the 1lb.7. mark! :)

I took him out on my own early this morning and although not quite as responsive as yesterday, he still performed really well. (probably cos there was no-one else to impress!!!!). 8)

We were out for about an hour, just flying him in and out of the trees, just to get him into our old routine. I got him to come to the 'bunny' from 175 yards away, and then sent him back. I didn't want to do too much as I wanted to take him out again this afternoon.
A little but more often I think will be best, and it will get him fitter.

After getting my boy from school, both he and myself went back out. Again he flew to Jake, the trees and myself without any hitches. He even put in on a rabbit but it was just about on its hole when he left the tree. :D Another hour passed and a good time was had by all of us.

Tomorrow, we'll do the same again, and take Zarbu out in the middle.

[Saker-Clive]

16/10/'04.

The whole family came out this morning to fly Kier. We had a pleasant hour and a half but as the sun was shining, loads of peeps decided to take their dogs out aswell :evil:
We had a good ten minutes looking at a fox just sunning itself at the exact spot Kier sat next to one twice before. We were only 20 yards away from it and it just looked at us as we were looking at him. In the end, Iput Kier up in the tree above it, and it just casually strolled into the undergrowth not bothered by anything.
Kier got a little narked when 3 St. Bernards came a bit close but the owners wanted to see Kier and my kids wanted to ride the dogs.
He seems to be getting back into the swing of thing again and hopefully, on Thusday, we can meet up with a few of you guys and have a few hours sport. :mrgreen: (those that live just too far out, we will be thinking of you :P :P :wink: )

I think if the weather is good tomorrow, I will take him out for his first official hunt of the season.

[Wightwings]

good luck SS hope it goes well, would love to come over and watch but bussy with the housing ( and i'v got the backache and blisters to prove it) :shock:

[Saker-Clive]

Good man WW, just don't hit your thumb with the hammer!!!!!!!

Get Carol to rub it better :mrgreen:

[Wightwings]

LMOA :lol: :lol: I did believe it or not, told i'm a good groundworker butnot the best with timber :lol:

[Saker-Clive]

Pretend its MUD :mrgreen:

[Saker-Clive]

17/10/'04

1lb. 7 1/4oz. I must keep his weight down, I could have flown him but in the woods, he would probably played up.

[Saker-Clive]

18/10/'04

1lb. 6 3/4oz. he seemed really keen to fly today and couldn't wait to go out.
It has been a glorious day with a slight south-westerly breeze around 8-10mph. We got over to the traing ground and I let him go. I gave my boy a peice of rabbit and he came instantly without being called. We put him up in the trees and walked away. I put my hand up and he came instantly again, 120 yards, then back again.

We kept this up for a good 45 minutes and he enjoyed floating about in the breeze. Then 4 little drongo's decided to belt about on their little trials bikes. Not content with chasing dogs that were being walked but 1 of the little sh*ts, rode straight at Kier while he was on the floor. I swung the lure and hit him as he passed me, knocking the pratt off his bike. I gave him a piece of my mind and told him exactly what was comming to all of them if I catch them trying anything like that again. The **** threatened to get the police, so I called them myself infront of him. He picked up the bike, started it up again and all 4 of them ******ed off.

I was pretty pi**ed off by then so we went home. I gave him the rest of the rabbit peices and a whole chick. I must admit, I impressed myself with the swing lure :D perhaps I'll try the old 'bolas' next :) :) :mrgreen:

[Hawkmaster]

Good on on yer!

[Wightwings]

good on you SS, was it a through pass or an overhead pas??? :lol: :twisted:

Pity really sound like Kier was well up for it today. looks like you have his weight about right. Will he hunt at that or do you normally sharpen him slightly. Sorry for i ignorance but i cannot remember what you said he flew at last season :oops:

[Saker-Clive]

Last year he flew from 1lb. 6 1/2oz to 1lb. 8oz. but that was a one off. He was good from 1:6 - 1:7 1/4, I guess he will be naturally heavier this year. If he carries on like this, I'll leave him at 1:6 3/4.

It was more of a 'round-house/through pass :D :D I was just annoyed he didn't get hurt but as you know it was pretty soft over there.

[Wightwings]

pity..............erm i mean good :roll:

[Saker-Clive]

20/10/'04

1lb.7oz. the weather is pretty poor again but apart from the 20-25mph winds it was dry for a while.
We jessed him up and took him over for a spot of 'motor-bike' hunting!! I like flying him in the gusty winds as it helps to get him fit. To start with, he did get a little wind swept, and got carried about 80 yards but he fought it and grabbed a tree!!!

We got him to come to us in turn but without calling him; all I decided to do was raise my hand until he took off. This was carried out superbly. his wings were being buffeted by the wind but he seems to enjoy it more. He did after a while start going up which I thought was very brave of him.

We were out for a good hour and I am confident now he is ready for some proper hunting now; he is behaving himself, comming eagerly and has already put in on a couple of rabbits.

I think this just about concludes his diary until he starts getting his quarry, then I'll post some more.
Hope it's been enjoyable and informative; catch you all later on the other threads.
TTFN :D :D :D

[Darren]

yes...it souldnt take him long to get his 1st kill ov the season..good luck mate

[Kornie]

Geez, saker sucker, you actualy nocked him square off his bike? Nice going :)Always knew lures would be good for something other then just flying falcons.

[Wightwings]

look forwar :wink: d to your post tomorrow then!!!!!!! :wink: :mrgreen:

[Saker-Clive]

Hi mate,

If all goes well and weather permitting, we will be going out on Friday, Luke could only get then off! If you're about, give us a ring, you are more than welcome. If Lukes taking his two, he might need a hand with one.

[Wightwings]

count me in mate i'm about. ring you tomorrow :D

[Snudz]

THE WONDER BIRD IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I bet you're glad you didn't have him for sunday lunch now........ :lol: :lol:

[Saker-Clive]

01/11/'04.

1lb. 7oz. We took him for his first days 'hunting', to get him back into kill mode.
On the way to our little spot, I let him go to see what he'd do; up in the breeze and sat on a post 100 yards away. All of a sudden about 15 crows decided to get up and take it in turns to bomb him; he moved on to a nearby tree but they kept on at him. Then another load came over until there was about 30 of the ******s. :shock: I called him back but he stayed put for a little longer then came in. As soon as he took flight, the corvids climbed and slowly dispersed. :lol:
We got over to the hill that we were going to work and I put him up in a tall tree; low and behold over came a bloody kamikaze male kessie. :evil: For nearly 20 minutes it buzzed and bombed him. :? He did on a couple of occaisions squawk at it and jump at it and it went off but stayed fairly close and kept watch.
As we moved on, I saw a cock pheasant wander into a very small copse, :D so we headed straight for it. We could see it inside the brush and we got to within ten feet of it. :wink: I kept showing Kier 'our' quarry and let him go up to the top of the tree above it. We positioned ourselves to give him a good flight at it once we flushed it out. As we moved in it ran out into the open then took off.......................................Kier just sat in the tree and watched it go :oops: :evil: we looked at each other, then looked at my daft budgie, got him down and went home. :roll: :roll: :roll:

I guess the only thing I can put in his defence was after his harrassing time with the litle kessy, he thought 'I aint going anywhere near that bloody great thing!!!' We'll have another go tomorrow, weather permitting.

[Saker-Clive]

06/11/'04

After we took out Zarbu, we came back for Kier, 1lb. 7 1/2oz. although he was too heavy to fly well we took him out to one of the golf courses where I shoot.
Considering his weight he wasn't too bad and flew to Snudz. Unfortunately we didn't get to see any rabbits but he still flew Ok. On our way back home, one of the pompous **** golfers decided to tell me that we were on private land and it was illegal to hunt over here. I replied that I had been shooting and flying the bird over here for a couple of years and had the written permission to be here. Mr. ****, replied by telling us the Club Captain had been complaining about our presence, so I told him to contact the course manager to air his comments. Further up the course we were approached by 3 lady players who were in awe of him; I allowed them to stroke him and we had a good little chat about the bird and the 'gentlman' further up. One of them said that the Captain was not even on the course today and that the 3 of them would have words with him when they got back to the club house. On getting home I telephoned the course manager but had to leave a message.
He contacted me this afternoon to say that Mr. **** started to complain about our presence but he told him in no-uncertain terms that I had permission, and that the work I've been doing has helped to keep the rabbit problem down and he wanted me to carry on as I was an asset to their 'cause'. He went on to say that the 3 ladies also took him to one side and chewed his ear off. They then discussed how 'wonderful' it was to see such a beautiful creature up close and freindly.

[Wightwings]

you little charmer you i bet they were like putty in your paws.......eeh Kier. 8) .................................................. .................

no clive you ugly ****** i didnt mean you Lmao :roll: :wink:

[Wightwings]

Anyways mate, im off next week to start manning up the birdys proper, if your out with Kier one day any chance i come along and have a walk about with Faith IF shes steady enough to man out and about? will do her good me thinks????

[Saker-Clive]

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Wightwings]

i think that's a yes? i'll ring you later in the week C. :D

[Saker-Clive]

Most definately, he'll show her the ropes. Did Carol get hers?

[Wightwings]

yes Clive he's nice too, in at 1.8lb and still a little sharp but he seems a steady fellow. ( i think she's in love again) pleased with them both i think you'll like them. Carol was chuffed with your news by the way and sends her best.
speak to you soon mate dont want to hijack your diary.

Chris

[Saker-Clive]

15/11/'04

He weighed in at 1lb.8oz so I thought flying was off for another day or two. Come this afternoon, he was flying upto the front of the aviery everytime he saw me; I decided to take him out regardless.
He flew superbly to the both of us and was quick from the fist and trees.
I think I will try him at a higher weight and see how he goes. If he doesn't show much interest in taking quarry but flies to the fist, then I'll drop him back down to around 1lb. 7oz. max.

[Saker-Clive]

20/11/'04

A few of us met up today for what we were hoping was going to be a day with the Sakers but when we got to the ground it was just begining to rain. :? We decided to fly the Harris's in hope that the weather would brighten up a little later.
Altogether, there was Luke,(lloydparabuteo), Bash, Melanie (parlycoot) and moi; as we got out of the car, we saw half a dozen pheasants run and take flight; :lol: (we had to keep quiet though as the landowner doesn't want the birds to take the pheasant but his rabbits and pigeons......he,he) :twisted:
We made our way down the field to get out of the way and let the birds go; it wasn't long before both Kier and Tess (Lukes bird and Kier's older sister) started to scan and bob with interest. Kier took off and perched high up about 80 yards down the way; all of a sudden a bloody great buzzard flew into the tree and sat 10 feet away from him. :shock: It stayed there for a short time then took off and dissappeared. It looked as if it was twice the size of the Harris'. :shock:
Kier went down hard and we all legged it to see what he got; when we got close we found that we had to cross a little stream about 4 feet across. :wink: I found an old log and put it across but it wasn't quite long enough. I got over Ok but Melanie bless her ended up with a wet pair of feet, legs and bum. :shock: :D We did refrain from laughing but she didn't lose her dignity!! I caught up with Kier sitting grasping a foot full of feathers. :o Once all the others had composed themselves, Kier was off again, flying about 70 yards away from me when a female pheasant was on the run and took off; Kier chased her a while before pulling up into a tree. Tess soon came over and started watching the undergrowth; we started to beat around beneath them when Kier took flight again..............all of a sudden he just cartwheeled to the left and dropped with an almighty thud; :D I love that sound. :twisted: It took us a couple of minutes to get to his location and as we approached a couple more pheasant took flight; Bash saw him on the bank of the stream surrounded by what looked like a plucked hen bird. :D She must have wriggled free and he was sitting in what looked like a burst pillow!!!!! The weather was getting no better but we were all enjoying what had been happening. Tess then went down hard but like Kier didn't bind and got quite upset with herself. She got back up on a perch above and watched intently; I got Kier over to where she was and he was off again, another thud and a little ringing of his bell but again the quarry eluded us. :roll: He was definately in kill mode and it is only a matter of time before he completes his task. If the weather had been better and we stayed longer than an hour, he would have. Last season he took a number of rabbit but the pheasant got away, this year he is going to 'break his duck'.
All who went today had a very enjoyable time and can't wait for some more shortly. In all he put in about 6 or 7 times and Bash has definately got the bug again. :D

And just to top the morning off, we got back to the car for a nice cup of coffee or chocolate and Melanie got out her suprise package :shock: .................................................. ...........a lovely, still warm freshly baked GINGER CAKE :D deeeeeelicious.

[Wightwings]

Lmao. good post Clive i was wondering what that surprise package was lmao

im looking forward to joining you in the future with my girl.

See you 2morrow

chris

[Saker-Clive]

I can't wait either me ol' mucker; 8) you would have loved it today, pheasants every where, it was just a shame they got away but they now know what it's like on the other end of a raptor. :twisted: I bet the bald one is bloody cold tonight. :D

[Bash]

It was a brilliant day Saker Sucker. Thank you for inviting me. Also thanks to Luke. He makes great hot chocolate. Melanie's Ginger cake was first class as was the hawking today.

Can't believe how many lucky pheasants there are. They maybe still alive but their in for a colder than usual night without their feathers :lol:

Saker Sucker is right. I've got the bug again. Thank you for letting me have a little go. I've got a couple of pics, if Saker Sucker and Luke don't mind me posting them up? The ones of Kier and Tess didn't come out to well but the falcons look great as does Saker Suckers little party piece.

Thanks again guys, girls, Tess and Kier for some great flights.

Mark

[Saker-Clive]

Feel free with the pics.

[Bash]

Some pics from a wet hawking day with Clive, Kier, Luke, Tess and Melanie. Good fun it was too.

Saker Sucker and Zarbu (Don't mention the jesses :wink: She is a lady after all)
http://www.dizzymoth.dsl.pipex.com/clive.jpg

The Falcon Team
http://www.dizzymoth.dsl.pipex.com/clive1.jpg

A wet Kier who had just missed one.
http://www.dizzymoth.dsl.pipex.com/clive2.jpg

Waiting for everyone to regroup, Saker Suck does his party peice :lol:
http://www.dizzymoth.dsl.pipex.com/clive3.jpg

Thanks guys :)

Mark

[Wightwings]

superb piccies there Mark, god Clive you've got a small tongue mate :shock: ........................... ooh its a chick leg :wink: lmao

[Saker-Clive]

share and share alike;
before I get shouted down for doing it, it goes to show our bond and it's not done very often.

[Wightwings]

No probs from me mate i agree, i've seen the bond between you both first hand.
your his partner not his food source mate. for me nice to see :D

[Saker-Clive]

03/12/'04

!lb. 7 1/2oz. We took Kier, Tess and Tyler out today; the other 2 belong to Luke.
Snudz also came along so we went over one of my golf courses to see if we could get a few bunnies. :lol: Just before getting to the course, I put Kier up and he flew over to a nearby field, closely followed by Tyler. As usual, the resident Kestral decided to play 'bomb the Harris'; :roll: Tyler didn't take too kindly to it so after a while, he got up and chased it over the hill!!!! :wink:
We waited and called a while then Luke went off to find him. Not to worry, he soon came over the ridge and sat in a tree close by. :)

We then headed to the course but Kier had other ideas. I let him go into the wind and up he went.................turned and went back to where the bloody Kestral was. :evil: After we got about 200 yards away, I decided to call him in as he hadn't moved. I got the lure out and he soon came in the Danni's glove. :P All was going well then he saw it.....................a big yellow JCB dumpster.......................................... ...CAORRRRRRRRRRRR right in my lug 'ole. :evil: He was not a happy teddy. Anyway, we carried on towards the area only to find not only the dumpster but a Caterpiller earth mover and another one 100 yards up the way. :( We put him up in the nearby trees but he didn't want to play; Lukes birds were here, there and everywhere; which was a shame as they weren't where we were! :oops:

After a short while, I decided that we wouldn't see anything so made our way back to the car.
Some days are good but today was not one of them. :lol:
WHERE'S THE BUNNIES???????

[Snudz]

I thought that Kier was quite well behaved consider his avertion to the agricultural machinery.............just think though, perhaps the caterpillar etc. was just filling in the holes left by the rabbits!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :shock: :shock:

[Saker-Clive]

09/12/'04
Kier was slightly heavy today at 1lb.8 1/4oz. but he has been flying really well at a higher weight so we took him over one of the farms where I shoot. We regularly see rabbit and partridge with the occaisional hare.
Alas, today we didn't see squat. He did fly well and he also for the first time ever found and sat in a crows nest. He was in his element in the nest, picking at the down and looking out; I thought about leaving him there for the night but once out of sight he soon followed on. He then went and sat on the hill and shrunk down. We then saw a sparrowhawk close by, which started to play with a couple of crows. Very soon it was a good 5-600 feet up heading away from us.
We started to make our way back to the car but once Kier realised what was going on he had other ideas and stayed put. Because he hadn't flown hard or at anything he gets a little upset and wants to carry on but we had things to do.
I enjoyed seeing the sparrowhawk and Kiers time, it was just a shame that no quarry was about. Better luck on Saturday.

[Shaun Byrne]

Ah the good old Harris, back to a more relaxed form of falconry eh Clive? lol!!

[Saker-Clive]

If in doubt......................................take out a Harris'. love him to bits :lol: LONGWINGS SUCK!!!!!!!!

[Saker-Clive]

11/12/'04.
1lb.8 1/4oz, I'd made arrangements with Luke to take the birds out today and also got Wightwings to come along with Faith. On arrival, we were met by Julian and Steph from Huxley's with Shannon, Kier's sister from the same brood.
There were a few pheasants about today and all the put in but there was no quarry to take home! :cry:
I won't spoil WW's 'post to come' but lets just say we were all very impressed with Faith. :D :D
We all had a very pleasant and relaxed few hours in the company of our wonderful Harris's. I was still very suprised that Kier is flying so well at this higher weight.

[Saker-Clive]

12/12/'04
1lb.8 1/4oz. I decided to take him to his first 'killing ground' today; a place loaded with pheasant and rabbit. :D
We had only got to the wood a couple of minutes and he was off, wasn't sure at first what he was after then I could hear a scuffle about 40 yards away and I saw a cock pheasant taking flight. :cry: When I got to him he was sitting looking a little dazed with a foot full of feathers. :? I can only imagine a wrestling match occured and Kier came off worse. I picked him up and checked him over just to make sure and offered him a little tid-bit which perked him up, we walked a little way before I put him back up in the trees. A couple of squirrels were quite close and he started bobbing at them but I showed him another piece of food and he came down. I tried to explain to him that we don't bother with squirrels but I don't suppose he'll take any notice. :wink:
As we alked on, I could hear something in the gorse a little way a head. I put him up in the trees above and he was taking a very keen interest; I went over and started to beat the 'bush', then he was off and down and I heard that lovely thud, the one you know when something has been hit good and proper. 8) As there was no thrashing about or any squealing I thought that he'd either killed it outright or it had eluded him. As I got nearer to where he was, I called to him to get a definate position then I saw him trying to get under a nearby bush. :? He started to squawk at me and when I got to him, there he was on a partridge trying to get away from me to tuck in. As I put my arm in to try and get them out, he shreiked at me again but I had hold of his kill; as I pulled it out, he was still attached to its head. :shock: I eased him out of the last bit and tried to cover his prize with my bag. He wasn't having any of it; he had hold of the partridge with one foot and was footing the bag with the other. :evil: I offered him a chicks head but at first he wasn't interested. I then threw it just past his reach and for a split second he relinquished his hold to get the head. As soon as he got hold of it he was jumping back after the kill but I had already got to my feet and was slipping it in the bag. I felt really guilty as this was his first feather kill. I got him on the fist and gave him another reward and praised him but he was constantly looking for 'his' prize; after a few minutes, I gave in to his sorry forlorn look and put him up into a tree then pulled the head off the partridge and before I had a chance to get it on the glove properly, he was there fixed to it and tucking in. :wink: Once he finished I looked at his crop which was just begining to show a little food in it; I thought that our day was over so held him on his flying jesses and started to take a slow walk back. We hadn't got too far when he slipt my grip and perched up in a tree. As I got nearer he was staring head down and shuffling his feet; off again and thud. Here we go again...........................................th en there was the squeal, definately a rabbit and I ended up on my @rse as I slipped on the mud trying to run to get to him. :oops: I got to him, wings opened around the trees holding on for dear life looking at me. I got the rabbit up and snapped its neck then put it down for Kier to take a feed from. As usual, he started on the tongue then the eyes; I left him on it for a good 15 minutes before taking him off and giving him a whole chick. Whilst he was eating I jessed him up and leashed him to my glove and we made our way back to the car. Both pleased as punch..................that thud is a sound I love.

[Snudz]

Knew it was only a matter of time........well done mate. :lol: :lol:

[Saker-Clive]

19/12/'04

He was very keen this morning but I took him out this afternoon. :wink: He weighed 1lb. 8oz, the lightest for over a few weeks now. I met up with Harris Man, who I've found out lives only a few miles from me. :) We went to the golf course and woods where we went last weekend but we hardly saw a thing. :( A few rabbits which ran across the path just infront of us and pheasants on their ground but naff all where we were. :twisted:

Kier flew well and had a good look for something but nothing wanted to die!!! As usual he flew to who ever offered him his food and was a pleasure to be with. Lets hope for some really cold weather, the bunnies will have to come out to eat then! :P

[Wightwings]

theres a cold snap coming the next few days i believe..........come on my furry little friends
:twisted:

[Saker-Clive]

26/12/'04.

Considering his weight this morning of 1lb.9 1/4oz, I was very reluctant to take him out today but by lunchtime he was flying at the front of the aviery and calling like he was starved; :shock: I fed Zarbu and he was going ballistic so I 'recklessly' took him over to the training ground to see if he would fly at all.
I couldn't believe the way he flew and his responsiveness. He was flying to the glove and soaring about superbly. 8) After about 20 minutes he started looking intently and bobbing and he was off........................wallop................. ...he got a rabbit; :shock: :D I wasn't suprised at him getting a rabbit but at this weight I was suprised he could fly. :shock: I made in but wasn't allowed too near which wasn't a too upsetting thing this time as the rabbit was dead. He had both feet on the head and neck and somehow killed it by the time it took me to get the 80 yards to him. I was concerned that the rabbit might not be dead but there was no movement or anything and it wasn't a very big one as he was able to half-fly with it, to get away from me a bit. :? I did get to him but he had eaten the eyes and started to get into the head and neck, so I slowly made in and with a chick and got the rabbit before comming home and letting him feed on the carcase in his aviery. After half an hour, I took it out (much to his annoyance) and paunched it before giving him a leg.
I may try him again tomorrow but hopefully not at this greater weight. This was a whole ounce heavier than I have been flying him at, and at 1lb 8oz. I feel a little concerened.

He never ceases to amaze me with abilities and what he is capable of doing!!

[Shaun Byrne]

Concerned? Thats good mate, as long as he's responsive and will kill, why drop his weight!

[ChicM]

That's good to hear - I have my male at about 1lb 7 now and he's taking quarry and still being responsive so I wondered if I could push him up a little more. This gives me confidence to edge him up gradually over the next few weeks. I don't like the idea of them sitting on the edge of constant hunger all the time. Well done mate.

[Shaun Byrne]

You should be able to get a HH quite high over a season if you get out regularly with them. My FHH starts the season around 2/2 2/3 and finished last season at around 2/8 and muscled up to.....................

[ChicM]

Yeah - it's just lack of confidence on my part I'm sure. I had him go up a tree and sulk overnight early on so it made me wary of letting him get too high too soon. But I prefer them higher in weight as it makes them calmer and more content in my (limited) experience.

[Snudz]

Considering his weight this morning of 1lb.9 1/4oz,

What a porker!!! :shock: I know he's family mate but did he really need that extra helping of Christmas pud.............. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Saker-Clive]

Up until his moult this year he was flown tight at 1lb.6 1/2oz., only a couple of months ago, he was 1lb. 8oz. and refused to do anything except sit in a tree for 45 minutes.
I only tried him at this weight because I know him and I could read his signs and actions. It could just have easily have gone the other way and I 'could' have lost him!!!!!! I will not be keeping him this high, and will be taking him back down gradually to !lb. 8 1/2oz. max. until I am certain that he is going to be consistant.
It was also very cold, hovering around 1-2c. This might have been a contributing factor and I think that his extra weight combined with the cold compensated for each other.

[ChicM]

Be interesting to see your progress. Thanks for the background too - puts it in context.

[Snudz]

If he keeps this up we'll be able to up the hunting stakes..........did you know that there are wild boar roaming around Hastings way...........??? :shock: :twisted: :twisted:

[Saker-Clive]

He'd need a bit more than a few ounces me thinks; wouldn't even shoot one with me .243, it will only p*ss it off!!!

[ChicM]

Well...my wee HH male ahs had a very committed chase after a roe buck so you never knows...

[Saker-Clive]

27/12/'04

1lb.9oz. Took him out again this morning to the same place but although he flew well and to the glove, he wasn't bothered about the rabbits. He wanted to fly but didn't want to hunt!!!!! :roll:
He was responsive to the fist and comming 100 yards but he either didn't see the 8 or so rabbits I did, or just wasn't keen enough. The weather seemed warmer today compared to yesterday but we had a good 2 hours. I've only given him 2 chicks today so we'll see what tomorrow brings. :)

[Wightwings]

sounds like your having a ball C. do me a favour and send down those rabbits to my area will you :wink:

[Saker-Clive]

01/01/'05
1lb.8 1/4oz. First time out since the 27th., he flew really well in the wind and was being hounded by half a dozen crows most of the time we were out but it didn't bother him.
I thought that he might have flown stronger and eager to chase some bunnies but he wasn't bothered. I saw 3 or 4 but he didn't put in; maybe because they were in the cover and he didn't want to get 'dirtied up', so I made him work hard, flying to the glove into the wind at 100 yards at a time. At least he's staying fit!!!

[Afshimo]

What the biggest/smallest weight for a male harris? Just curiose...
Hannah

[Shaun Byrne]

Nice one Clive, just keep him up there mate. Took Spirit out this morning, two cracking flights at pheasant but missed both, did manage to nail (and eat) 3 voles so guess who will be heavy tomorrow!!

[Saker-Clive]

I guess you'll be tying Spirit to a buggy shortly; round and round the garden while you're soaking up the sun!!!!! hehe.

[Hawkmaster]

Hannah it will be best to start a new thread as that is a good and interesting question.

Do it under Broadwings.

[Shaun Byrne]

I guess you'll be tying Spirit to a buggy shortly; round and round the garden while you're soaking up the sun!!!!! hehe.

I'm already eyeing up those baby back pack things, Lisa cant understand why I keep looking at the real robust ones with all the waterproofs. Dont want any excuses not to be able to get out. :twisted:

Anyone ever tried swinging a lure with one of those things on? :D

[Saker-Clive]

Practise with a rucksack on!!!!

[ChicM]

Hey H4wka - I used to take my two boys out in the baby backpacks all the time. Ask Varmint - they were permanent fixtures at every hunt unless we were flyning Khan ( a male Goldie - even I wasn't THAT dumb!). Get them into it young I say...

[Shaun Byrne]

Nice to know I'm not the only mad falconer then! I'm going for it, once she's a bit bigger, I'll post the pics to prove it lol!!

[Saker-Clive]

03/01/'05

1lb.8 1/4oz. He is still heavy but the sun was shining and the wind was stiff so I got his food ready and we went out for a little fitness flying. At first he got caught by the wind which was a westerly and 15-25mph.
I made him fly into the bushes and back to the fist into the wind mainly at 70 -100 yards. Didn't take him long to settle and he powered through it and played with it.
A few dog walkers put their muts on the lead and stayed nearby, just watching him to-ing and fro-ing. He has now got my arm signal down to a tee. I just raise my right arm and he comes, no calling if I can help it and now and again a whistle. On a few occaisions, I got him to leave the fist and then got another tidbit ready and before he landed, whistled so he came straight back in a big circle. This really got him panting and I let him sit in the bushes for a while for a good look around to see if any rabbits were brave enough to venture out.
The dog walkers watched for about 20 minutes then shouted out "Thank you for the display", some people are easily satified. I think it was when I throw a head up high for him to catch that impresses them!!!

You can see his feathers being buffeted by the wind!!!!!!

[North East Harris Hawker]

THATS A GREAT PHOTO CLIVE, would you mind submitting a copy to the calendar page?

[Hawkmaster]

Yip, really good, did you take it?

[Shaun Byrne]

Think a couple of posts have dissappeared. I asked Clive how high he was and he answered and explained about how he got the shot. Or was that on the Calendar thread?

[Saker-Clive]

Yes, HM I did, rather precariously!!!

Calendar thread, Shaun
30 - 35 feet; a bit awkward as I had to throw the food up, line up a shot and snap it, so it was a lucky one. I'll try some more next time out.


_________________
KIER: Harris' hawk, male 31/10/'02 ZARBU: Saker falcon, 06/05/'04

[Saker-Clive]

13/01/'05

1lb. 10 1/4oz. :shock: :shock: The weather was too good to miss, so hesitantly, I decided to see what he would do,if anything at this weight. He has been very active in the enclosure, flying about and to me when he see's me.

Considering he has NEVER flown this high, I was expecting him to either run every where or just sit in the branches. How wrong could I have been. 8) He flew to the 2 of us and was absolutely mustard on the dummy-bunny; :roll: Danni got quite knackered running about. :wink: Even after he left the lure and she walked back towards me he was jumping over it and running after it. :roll:
We saw a few rabbits in the undergrowth and he watched for a while but was just happy to be out playing. He was like a display bird today and didn't want to be put away. :evil: After about an hour and 6 chick legs, (all cut into 3) 6 wings and 3 heads he was still up for more but I didn't want to push my luck with him getting too full.
It looks like I now have a good 3oz window to play with, 1lb.7-1lb.10 1/4oz. :D Between 1lb.7oz. and 1lb.8 1/2oz. is a good hunting weight, even though he did get the rabbit and partridge at 1lb.9 1/4oz. Again it was cold today around 4c., so I guess that played a good part.
We had a very enjoyable time and hope tomorrow will be the same.

[Wightwings]

good news Clive sounds like you had a great time and have a blummin nice flying window with him.

[Saker-Clive]

Don't know how far to push it before he decides to just sit there!!! Probably leave things as they are; that's heavy enough for safety sake.

[ChicM]

Well you're giving me a lot of confidence to push my little guy's weight above where I have him now so thanks for the info.

[Saker-Clive]

Chic, how old is your bird? Kier is in his second year and kows the land etc.
If you're hunting, keep him tight until you know how he will respond.

[ChicM]

This is his first year. I take your point and I was going to be cautious, but I know that I am being over-cautious right now and I'm sure he'll fly a little higher. I don't like keeping him hungry all the time - can't be good for him long-term. I will take it easy tho - promise - and if we're going somewhere strange or there are likely to be dogs I'll cut his weight back.

Thanks.

[Saker-Clive]

14/01/'05

1lb.9 3/4oz. It is a glorious day again today, no clouds, blue sky and a good 10 - 15mph 'breeze'. I decided to try some more pictures so I hope that you enjoy them; hopefully they will come out in order and will look just right.
Before that a little of what went on.............as you gutys should know by now, Kier loves playing in the wind and flew excellently again today, and still at this higher weight. He really enjoyed soaring about and got to about 100 feet, which I have never seen him do before. He played with the crows that thought they would upset him but he just twisted and turned with them. I could have stayed out for hours today but the food ran a little short and I didn't want to over do it!

[Saker-Clive]

and for the final 2 for the set.........................

[Hawkmaster]

WOW Spot on picture there mate. I see you have an Alan Ramsdale Transmitter, how have you found it?

[Saker-Clive]

Fine, £50 from e-bay, I use it on Kier all the time not that I really need to put one on him!!!
Channel 6 on my Biotrack so when out with others, theirs are usually on between 1 -3, so I always know where he is should anything happen.

[Bash]

Great Pictures Clive. You have a knack get getting great action shots. First class mate.

[Wightwings]

agreed.......super pictures Clive looks like kier is having a wail of a time :D

[Saker-Clive]

The last and to my mind the best shot isn't really part of the 'sequence' as the previous shot is away from me but I thought it made a nice run. I tried for ages taking shots but alot of the time, the camera didn't do anything and didn't take.

I will have to try it with Zarbu later. (now I've started, I'll be posting pics. by the bucket load).

[Saker-Clive]

22/01/'05

He weighed 1lb.9 3/4oz. a bit heavier than I wanted but he wouldn't drop anything this week and it has been very mild.

Well today was the Southern Counties Raptor Club's informal field meet; basically those members without birds or members that don't get out with birds very often. In total their were 13 of us with 5 birds; it was a glorious sunny day and very mild. He started off ok but decided he didn't want to play, and basically sat high up in the trees. I left him and we all carried on for another 200 yards but the lump of lard wouldn't come and decided to fly about where he wanted :twisted: I went back and got him but decided he wasn't going to 'embarrass' me any more, so tied him to the glove and walked him for most of the day.

Just before we got back to the vehicles, we had to cross an open field which was about 200 yards across. I decided to see if he would play just one last time. I gave Bash some food and Kier flew to Bash, Parlycoot and my self eagerly :wink: :roll: we had a pleasant 20 minutes to-ing and fro-ing before heading back to Huxleys for tea and cake.

I will definitely drop him back to a more responsive weight ready for the official meet in March.
One highlight of my day was a buzzard which soared over head for a good 5 minutes, about 500 feet up.

[Lloydparabuteo]

1.9 3/4 was a bit lower than what you said you were originally going to fly him at on the meet, you wanted to fly him at 1.10. Because you said he was good at that weight????????

[Saker-Clive]

17/02/'05.

1lb. 8oz. It's been a while since he had an airing what with the waether etc. so we took him out this afternoon.
Considering he hasn't been out for a while he flew suprisingly well. No sign of any rabbits out in the open but ther were plenty of maggies and crows close by.
We saw a few rabbits and he heard them but he didn't see anything to fly at :( He got bombed by the crows but it didn't seem to bother him. He enjoyed his outing and flew to us really well. We were out for about 2 hours, walking along flying back to and fro between us and the trees. It was a shame that the rabbits seem to know which bird can and which can't go after them but I guess thats just 'sods-law'.

[Saker-Clive]

START OF THE 3RD. SEASON

02/09/'05.

Today Snudz and I took Kier out for his first official session out of the avery from his moult. :D

We made a few flights on the creance with out and problems so i decided drop the line and we carried on 8) :P
My little boy flew really well back and forth to Snudz and I and even tried him catching a head up high but he missed :cry: Not to worry, it was his first day out :P
The sun was shining, the gulls and crows were going mental at us...........................................god I've missed it :mrgreen:

1lb. 7oz. today but needs to come down a little more for a proper hunting responce.

A another week or so and we'll probably be getting some pictures courtesy of Snudz again and definate action shots.

[Saker-Clive]

13/09/'05.

We've been out a few times over the last week but the weather has been very warm and getting his weight down has been a nightmare :!:
Today he weighed 1lb. 6 1/2oz. and although still a little high for the begining of the season he flew superbly today.
He made several flights between Danni and I over 75 yards; then he got the light breeze under his wings and went up on a soar, then landed in the bushes a short distance away. He sat there a while talking to 4 or 5 maggies before I called him in to the dummy bunny. He came almost instantly but landed beside it before jumping onto it for his reward :?
We carried on again, flying from fist to fist, then he went up again and sat at the top of a 30' tree getting shouted at by several crows and maggies :!: Again I got the dummy bunny out and he came in low to the ground.
We completed some more flights and finished with a couple of catches of chick heads thrown up for him. A very pleasant hour was had this morning and hopefully he'll stay about the same for tomorrow.
A few more weeks loke this and he'll be fit and ready for the oncomming pheasant season in October.

[Dave G]

nice one saker its good to have weight to play with as i start mine off at 1lb 6 1/2 oz and have gone up to 1lb 10 oz out hunting but after the 1lb 8 oz mark he just flys for leasure ive flown him in the garden at 1lb 13 oz and he was fine but would be a waste of time taking him out as if he would site in a tree it would **** me off so i would have to go and get me gun to get him down :lol: keep the threads coming

[Saker-Clive]

14/09/'05.

1lb. 6 1/2oz., weather is still warm but overcast and slightly windy, 12mph :D Refitted his tail-mount then took the dog out allowing the Araldite to go off.
I cut the chick legs into 3 today to see how he'd get on and he was very keen. We went back to our corral and let him go. Like yesterday he started off quite happily going from fist to fist but he had to work hard in the wind. 75 yard flights were causing him a little trouble but I wasn't expecting him to find it easy. He soon enjoyed the wind under his wings and I decided to let him go off and put him up in the trees just outside........................................... ................................... :shock: he had a lovely little soar for about 30 seconds circling around before perching on top of the tree; he then started bobbing his head and jumped a few feet lower into a magpies nest. He was having a good stamp around and tugging at something for a good 10 minutes :? we could hear magpies in the tree but wasn't sure if there were any young in there. I eventually tempted him down with a doc body but when I exchanged it for a regular tidbit, turned into the wind and went back again :roll: I tried the swing lure but he wasn't having any of it, so I got out 'legless' with a head attached (chick not rabbit), whistled and startd to pull the line and he was back again. :wink:
We carried on to-ing and froing from fist to fist, then I decided to leave him in the corral and we went out. We got about 100 yards away then called to him but he felt that he'd worked hard nough for one day and just sat there :roll: Danni went back in to get him but he decided it was time to play Caracara, and run towards me :wink: I loaded up 'legless' with the chick body and made him fly the last 40 yards into the wind to finish. He then jumped up to the fist for his last reward and we came home. Anothr week like this and he should be back into his routine and we'll start our flying/walks for the next stage of fitness workouts.

[GoneHawking]

:cry:

[GoneHawking]

:wink:

[GoneHawking]

Sorry I was reading the wrong thread, getting birds mixed up. :?

[Saker-Clive]

I have a pheasant lure, I also have one in the freezer for carcase training; he knows the difference between the two and at the moment just want to get his fitness up; hence flying in gradually stronger wind conditions etc.
There's plenty of time for pheasant as the season doesn't start til October 1st, and doesnt finish until Feb.1st. I don't like him taking too many young pheasants in the early part of the season as there is no real quality flights at them. December onwards is a good time for good flights at birds that have learnt to be a bit more 'stret wise'.

[Saker-Clive]

19/09/'05.

1lb. 6 3/4oz. I was a little disappointed on weighing him this morning but come 16:00hrs. he'd been flying at the front of the enclosure everytime he heard me so i decided to give him a try :roll:
The wife and kids took the dog into the corral, and I went up to the top where we usually do a little hunting. There were 4 rabbits 80 yards away on the hedge line and as we got to about 60 yards from them, I stopped and got him looking in their direction. I let him go and he flew straight towards them but they jumped into the brush on his approach :?
Kier pulled up and sat high up on a tree half way up the hill. He then jumped across and stood bolt upright and refused to move.
Next thing he went down in that 'Oh so lovely hard stoop' and crashed through brambles.......................then it came.........that even better sound of a rabbit in deep distress :D From where I was, I couldn't go straight up to him as it is all brambles and bushes, so I had to leg it about 150 yards up and around to get above him, then come down to him. When I got to him he was gripping with both feet in the back of a 2lb. rabbit 8) :D (i just weighed it). As it had been such a long time since we'd caught anything being the begining of the season, I was all of a dither :oops: and I had to compose myself before picking the 2 of them out of the brambles and necking it. I was very suprised that Kier didn't try footing me or squawking at me as I gave him a chick body to remove him and checked that the rabbit was dead. Once he finished the chick, I let him sit back on the rabbit and take the tongue and eyes.
After sitting on it and tugging at it for a good 10 minutes I offered him a couple of chick heads and he happily jumped off the rabbit for them while I slipped it into my bag. Tomorrow cant come quick enough for me............ :P :D

First official kill of our season totally unexpected but brill all the same :D

[Saker-Clive]

02/10/'05.

Well today the little bliter weighed 1lb. 6 3/4oz. still a tad heavy for any real 'flying; but I took him out for an airing this evening. Well he was slow to start; flew straight over 3 rabbits http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif so I thought we'd just do a little in and out of trees, long recalls etc.
For a few seconds, I thought we were about to have another plop job! H was on a post and out of the scrub, directly beneath him hopped out a rabbit.....................he turned and looked at it and it froze...........then it jumped back into the brush, I called him back to the fist and on route, I saw him twist and cartwheel, then drop to the ground.................I heard a very 'quick squeal' then he took off.......................with a very young, small rabbit in his talons; I've seen him carry adult rabbits in the enclosure but he's never lifted one out in the field. He took it up to the post he was on earlier and thankfully he killed it. It took me what seemed ages to get to him and he didn't want to give this one up easily http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_sad.gif He took off again and precariously perched in a bush half way up the hill, which was virtually impossible for me to get to. he was there for a few minutes trying to balance himself and eat his kill but a couple of crows thankfully, decided to start mobbing him. He decided to come down towards me but not all the way and sat about 20 feet away on the ground. Everytime I started to get near, he shouted at me and turned his back on me http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif I just kept talking to him and slowly made in to him and sat 3 feet from him. I let him struggle as he tried to break into the flesh and then offered him the mouse I was saving until we'd finished the session. He looked at the mouse, then the rabbit and back at the mouse again then he tried to grab the mouse with one foot while he was still holding the rabbit with the other one but I wasn't having any of it http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif He starting 'chirping' at me so I got up and offered it to him again. This time he left the rabbit and started to eat his reward. I jessed him back up and tied him to the glove, then let him back on his rabbit. I left him to his own devices and by the time he did break into it, he seemed to have lost a little interest in it, so I bagged it up and we came home. A part of our finishing routine, i always, take the leash and swivel off, then he goes and sits inside while I put them away; i then take out his jesses and hang them up..............then he starts to chirp and jump about as I always give him his the rest of his rations. I pulled one of the front legs out, and gave it to him, ( actually, he was there as I was doing it but never mind ) It turned out a pleasant evening after all. 4 rabbits to date and later this week we'll start going to different places.

[Saker-Clive]

07/10/'05.

1lb. 6 1/2oz. He put in on 3 rabbits whilst I had him on the soar but unfortunately they made it to cover on his approach http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_sad.gif
We completed several 200 yard recalls which helped to put my faith back in him but to end it all; he flew over 3 rabbits playing in the open..........then sat on a post with a bloody rabbit 5 feet infront of him http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif Even after it moved and jumped back into the bushes he just sat there.........................................

Some days are good....some aint http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif

[Saker-Clive]

08/10/'05.

1lb. 6oz. I was expecting great stuff today and boy did the ****** fly http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif although he only put in a couple of times, the spectacular soaring in the wind was close to bringing me to tears. He got my pooper going on one occaision, went up on a soar then took off about 300 yards upwind and dropped like a stone; i called and whistled but all I could get was a slight ding every now and again from his bells. After a few minutes, i got the swing lure out and that seemed to do the trick. Once I caught sight of him he stayed in view soaring about and playing in the breeze. Today I took the camera so be warned.......................................
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/outflying/R0010708.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/outflying/R0010719.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/outflying/R0010721.jpg

that's all for now but I'll post up some of this ground with the corral etc. in the Flying Land thread.....................

[Saker-Clive]

23/10/'05.

We've been out most days since my last post but nothing special on the hunting side; today we went over the dairy farm and we also took the guns. We started off flying Kier for about an hour and a half but we saw and flushed squat http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif
He flew and followed on superbly especially at his lower than usual weight of 1lb. 5 7/8oz. Whilst in the trees he saw saw and flew after a few things but we couldn't see what!
My shooting partner shot a woody with his 12g, and as it was falling, Kier raced up and caught mid air and brought it down. I let him plck at it for a minute, then exchanged it for a DOC body. This gave him an extra enthusiasm and he started chasing anything that moved.....................mainly stones as we didn't see anything to chase. We did hear a couple of partridge but they were way off about 500 yards towards the houses http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif
We all had a good afternoons 'sport' and finished off, punching paper with the .243 and .223.

[Saker-Clive]

01/11/'05.

Well it was Kier's 3rd birthday yesterday but he didn't get a big fat pheasant for a pressie, instead all he got was 1 doc as he was a little heavy after Sundays feed on pheasant.
Well today he weighed 1lb. 5 7/8oz. the weather brightened up and Snudz came over for his weekly fix (he's been away to Dubai again). We started off taking Zarbu out on the creance but even at 1lb. 14oz. she wasn't interested so we came home, free lofted her and she flew to the glove eagerly.

I got Kier sorted and we set off. There was a good 14mph. breeze and he loved nipping about in his usual way. we decided to go a little further up than usual as there were a number of dog walkers and Kier then stepped up a gear and started chasing a few rabbits. W thought he'd got one but when we got to him, he was sitting as if he had it but there was nothing there http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif I rewarded him and we carried on. He soon went after another but this one was in thick brambles and again came out empty taloned http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif
We bumped into a guy that claimed he saw a pair of pheasant down by the corral but we didn't see or hear anything when we got there http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_exclaim.gif We did find an old pigeon carcase with no head and that was a struggle keeping Kier off it.
We had a very pleasant couple of hours and just a shame that this time out, he didn't score for us. I might take him out again shortly before the dark sets in.

[Saker-Clive]

05/11/'05.

He weighed 1lb. 5 3/4oz this morning and was up for anything today. The forecast said it was going to be very wet and strong winds again http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif ............................well that was wrong again; here it was cloudy but it was windy, about 20mph.
i took him out and he did get blown when he first left the fist but he loves the wind, and soared about and worked bloody hard. he put in numerous times and we came home with 2 bunnies http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif but he has had a hard time of it http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_exclaim.gif
The orbital ridge over both eyes have been knocked about and bled; I've cleaned them with F10 and given them a dusting of 'wound powder' but everytime he goes down into the brambles or cover, they bleed again http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif
Should I rest him up for the comming week or just carry on and check him as I have been?

[Saker-Clive]

09/11/'05.

1lb. 6 3/4oz. although a tad heavy, Bash and I took him out over to my pheasant land. It was the first time this season that he had flown in the dense wood.
He was a little slow to start but once he saw his first pheasant he was back into the swing of things. He chased about 6 birds in all and one on the wing which was a very good flight. Unfortunately he didn't bind to any http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif but he the flights were real good. http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif

There is still a fair bit of cover on the tree but another week or two and that should all be gone.

[Saker-Clive]

14/11/'05
Out with the Harris today and I was expecting some great flights at rabbit, especially as he was down to 1lb. 5 3/4oz. Well there were plenty of bunnies about but he just didn't seem interested in them then for the first time ever...........he put in at 3 crows sitting in a bush then chased them for about 150 yards and grabbed at one on the wing shocked.I nearly crapped me self with excirement Any way he pulled up and they flew off , so w went back for the rabbits. After 25 minutes of him flying over sitting targets he shot off and went down hard..................I waited to hear the squeal of a rabbit in distress but nothing; then a squeal did come but it definately didn't sound like any stuck rabbit I've ever heard so i legged it along the hedge line and up the bank to see him mantled over something ......................a bloody weasel I was gobsmacked but had to dispatch it quickly as I didn't want Kier to take a bite. He had it well by the head so I was able to put my foot on its chest without any fear of damaging Kier. I was able to exchange it for a chicks head the made sure it was dead.......................then Kier was back hanging hold of me and the weasel I let him eat his kill still warm and fresh before comming home.............................................. ....enjoy these, at least I think it's a weasel and not a stoat!!!!!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Weaselgotim.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Weasel.jpg

[Saker-Clive]

16/11/'05.
Well I was quite suprised that after the weasel on Monday his weight was stable.............1lb. 6oz. As it was nice and sunny but cold with a good stiff breeze, I decided to go out for just a general fly about.

After getting to our usual place, we had some good flights and he went after another crow but only played tag!!! All of a sudden, he was off and went down into thick scrub full of brambles and thorns...........then came that sound again............................I shouted at him to keep a hold and did the usual 100 yard dash, thorns and brambles in me leg and arse http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif Once I got to him, he had a hold of the rabbit by its neck and arse being slowly pulled deeper in the briar! I managed to ease the rabbit out and snap it's neck (which I did a bit too well, it nearly fell off!!) then gave Kier a chicks head. Once out in the open and on the flat, i let him sit on it for a few minutes then slipped it into my bag. I went and hid out of sight and paunched it then got him back on the fist. I let him have another 5 minutes fly about before comming home...................these are back home in the enclosure.........

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Kier/Kierandquarry.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Kier/Kierquarry2.jpg

[Saker-Clive]

19/11/'05.

1lb. 7oz. which suprised me as the tyemperature was below 0c again. Anyway, it's been a glorious day here with a light northerly breeze. Because of his weight, I wasn't expecting anything other than a good hour and a half of flying to the fist and excersising.
When we first arrived, we saw a male kessie sitting on the bank 60 yards away tucking into what ever it had caught..................Kier was off the fist and flying straight towards it http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif but as he got to within 15 yards, the kessie holding on to its kill took off and Kier pulled up and sat on a nearby post. http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif I carried on getting long flights to the glove and back again to the trees and posts, when something took his eye and he was off 80 yards to get to me then straight past me and another 80 yards to where 2 crows were perched in a tree http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif They both squawked their dissapproval at him and took to the air and Kier took great pleasure sitting in the tree and preened himself for a few moments. It wasn't long before they came back with an extra couple of buddies and took it in turns to bomb him but he just sat there wondering what all the fuss was about.
I got him back and we carried on. He then put in a very pleasing flight at a green-woodpecker; he was on a post and the wood pecker was about 30 yards away at the bottom of the slope, as it took off, Kier left the post like a bat out of hell and chased it. The woody was making all sorts of noise and Kier did start to gain on it but after about 100 yards he decided that enough was enough and turned inward and went back to a post http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif In all we were out for about 2 hours and thoroughly enjoyed our walk.

[Saker-Clive]

22/11/'05

1lb. 6 1/4oz. After our hour and a bit with Zarbu, we took Kier out but mainly for a long walk and excersise.
i was hoping for some soaring as the breeze was just right for him but he had other ideas. Although he flew well he just didn't want to soar or do much.
The only things he 'killed' today was an old knotted football sock, which he took great pleasure in footing and attacking. he even came to the fist still holding it http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif Had a bit of a stuggle to get it off him but he eventually let go.
In his defence the time was wrong to expect the rabbits to be out but it was an enjoyable couple of hours. We bumped into a couple with their gun dogs and 'had' to go through all the speil about him and they watched in amazement at his behaviour and temperment. ............................ a couple more of Roo and Kier this time................

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/R0010784.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/R0010783.jpg

Roo, don't forget.keep practising the knot http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[Saker-Clive]

29/11/'05

1lb. 6 1/4oz. After Zarbu's performance we took Kier out and went to the pheasant land http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif

After getting to the course, I wasn't going to let him go until we got to the wood but a couple of minutes in, we saw a cock pheasant strolling across the fairway towards the hedge...........I slipped Kier but he decided to go up into the trees. He then took off towards the stables where we are not allowed. All of a sudden about a dozen crows were going mental and started mobbing him http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif After clambering through 50 yards of dense brambles and gorse we found him up in a tree so I called him to the fist.

Once we got into the woods, we began our hunt for pheasant and rabbits.......................Kier took off from a vantage point and went down hard but there was nothing there http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif probably a leaf falling or something. We could hear plenty of cock birds calling and we carried on. Over the next hour and a half, Kier put in about 6 times on a couple of rabbits and pheasants all to no avail http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif On our way back, we got to the top part of the wood where there is a steep drop, walkable but steep; I put him up in the trees and said that I didn't want him to go down the hill.............................................. ........off he went like a 'bat out of hell' down the hill and put in on something about 100 yards away. We heard the crash of leaves and we made our way down to the area; I was calling him and listening for his bell and when we got to him, he was on the ground looking a little confused! I got him back on the fist and put him back up in the trees, then we saw 'the pheasant' he must have gone after, he also saw it but was unable to get to it from his approach and passed, then turned and went back but the bird was already airbourne and he pulled up. Although we came away with nothing, he flew really well and was in himself a little upset for not binding to anything.

[Saker-Clive]

06/12/'05

1lb. 6oz. After Zarbu's performance this morning I needed a lift in spirits and we went out for a pleasant 2 hours.
We walked up on to the hill as most of the long grass has died back and I was hoping that we might see the pheasants the dog put up last week; the wind had picked up a little and Kier soared about and generally played in and out of the trees 70 yards away and back. i got him on a good soar and about 60 yards away a rabbit took off and Kier cartwheeled from about 100 feet and went into kill mode. He stooped down and was in hot persuit of the bunny http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif The flight seemed to go on for ages and I had a spectacular view of him reaching out to grab his prey. The rabbit jinxed to the left but Kier had lost momentum and climbed to a nearby tree. He sat transfixed staring down at where the rabbit dissappeared but it had eluded us http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif it was a shame as this must have been his best flight at quarry this season.

I didn't know it at the time but 2 groups of dog walkers had stopped to watch and they cheered after the chase http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif hence the following 20 minutes was chatting about the bird which they had seen on many occaisions and how exciting it was for them to see him flying 'naturally' and so gracefully........................................ . http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif I let one of the women call him back to the fist which always goes down well, and we carried on. Although he crashed through the brambles a few times afterwards at rabbits and things he didn't get anything and nothing compared to the spectacular flight earlier. I had to tell the walkers that this was a typical flight when we are out specifically hunting quarry............................................ ..

A very happy end to todays fixture; can guarantee 1 of the 2 birds will impress on an outing.

[Saker-Clive]

07/12/'05

1lb. 6 1/2oz. After Zarbu's performance, Kier had a lot to follow; Andy and I went over to the golf course with the pheasants in the wood. After our 10 minute trek from the car down to the wood, we didn't hear any pheasant like normal but we carried on anyway. I let Kier go and he went up in the trees and started to follow on.
It wasn't long before he started bobbing and staring, transfixed in typical HH style. We waited a few seconds but he just sat there, so I went down to where he was looking hoping to flush a pheasant...............a rabbit legged it out closely followed be Kier http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif it made its way beneath a couple of fallen branches which Kier crashed into and I saw the rabbit disappear out the back http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif i called him back to the fist, then put him up in the trees again. It wasn't too long before he was off again after another rabbit and again it got away.
In Kiers defence, this wood is heavily dense, apart from the few paths there is a lot of cover and not really enough open spots to get a good chase. Non the less, he has taken several rabbits, a partridge and pheasant over there................. we walked through hoping to flush some more then Kier was off again and dropped like a stone. We heard the flap of wings just as he was going down which was a pheasant but again, it was very thick where he was!! towards the end, we did see a cock pheasant in the open and it was only 20 yards infront, do you think Kier would go after it..........no http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_exclaim.gif http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif perhaps he likes a bit more of a chalenge or a sporting chance
In all we had a great 4 hours flying both birds, granted, we came away empty handed but we had some top quality flights.

[Saker-Clive]

09/12/'05

1lb. 6 1/2oz. A beautiful sunny day with a 10mph. breeze, we luckily missed the freezing fog that is hanging around a few miles away. Took Zarbu out then came back for Kier. i decided to just get him out and give him a good excersise as the last few days I missed getting him out because I took Zarbu out first and didn't get back in time to do any real flying with him!!!

We started at the bottom of the park and walked up and along the hill. He flew and chased a few crows and gave them a good upsetting http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif We'd only been out about 20 minutes when we bumped into my dog trainer with her 3 dogs and one of the GSd's ran up the hill and flushed 5 partridge http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif people have told me that they had seem some but I've only seen the pheasnt the other week http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_exclaim.gif Kier was off the tree tops and in hot persuit, I did get a little concerned as the dogs began to get very excited with all the goings on but she called them back and 2 came; the one that put the covey up carried on but did stop and came before Kier hit one of the partridg just as it was about 3 feet off the ground. Both birds came down hard and rolled a couple of times but the partridge was dead by the time I got to it 50 yards away. I let him take a good feed from the head before having a little tussle to get him off.
We went back and chatted about the flight and the trainer was well impressed http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif . She knew about the birds and has seen Zarbu but not Kier; she didn't realise just how quick the bird can be or how effective when it came to killing.
I was pleased as punch, especially as he's missed quite a few just recently. I fed him on the fist with the neck of the bird and we all made our way back to the car park. The weather is supposed to be the same over the weekend so hopefully we'll get out and do the biz again.

[Saker-Clive]

13/12/'05.

1lb. 7oz. After his good feed up last week on the partridge he was much heavier than of late but knowing him as I do, I decided to get him out just for some fitness flying. On arrival, 2 police women were doing house to house for what ver reason but once they saw Kier, they made a be line to us. They went through the usual 'what is it............... does it come back etc.' and I offered them a little fly if they wantd to come over. They thanked me but declined being on duty etc. and I told them that we were here most days...........................

We carried on, and he was flying to his usual standard; he saw something up on the bank and went into 'kill mode' http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif he didn't get anything but did go down on a few things in the brambles!!!! He came to the fist from over a hundred yards and I worked him pretty hard. He was not as unfit as I was expecting considering he hadn't been out since last week and seemed really hungry towards the end of our session. Although it was 'cold', it was about 6c. so not too bad for him. We came home and he had the rest of his rations. 3 chicks in all.

[Saker-Clive]

17/12/'05

1lb.6 3/4oz. An absolute stunner of a day today with a good breeze; not flying Zarbu as I'm hoping if my nerves allow, to fly her tomorrow up at Huxley's.
We started ast the bottom end of the park and walked up the hill and got some excellent soaring going. As usual, we were accosted by several dog walkers and we had a mandatory chat!!!
Whilst on one of his soars, about 150 feet up, which was totally brill, he checked and folded his wings and went into a near vertical stoop http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif It's been a long while since I've seen him do anything like that and I just watched with mouth wide open. He crashed through the long grass but all that happened was a female kessie took off making a lot of noise http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif (I was so pleased that he didn't grab her ) almost immediately, 3 crows came over and they mobbed him for a bit before he took off and went on the soar again. 1 of them did try to follow and annoy him but he just twisted and turned and was left alone. He went and sat up in a lonesome tree, followed by the crows and a magpie. I just carrieds on walking and he followed on in the usual manner. I saw a few rabbits at the back of the corral but we were a good 200 yards away; Kier went up and soared about then he must have seen them.............................................. he did put in a highly entertaining flight but from our distance I knew he wouldn't get close.................or so I thought http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif ......................................he stooped again and hit one but didn't bind and crashed into the gorse http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif In all we were out for about an hour and a half and we both enjoyed our selves. Next week we'll be going out for some serious hawking.

[Saker-Clive]

20/12/'05.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. Bash and I took Kier out over the farm I shoot on; when we first arrived there were about a dozen rabbits but as soon as we got out of the car, they were off and we didn't see much after that.
I also took the 12g and rimmy. I had a great shot at a maggie about 80 yards away in a tree and hit it but it somehow managed to fly 50 yards to another tree. There it lay until Kier flew to the same tree; as it dropped out of the branches Kier was at it and had hold by its head. Obviously it didn't put up much of a fight and I let him feed on it. After that, Bash and I played with the guns for a while longer. Bash did get a Jackdaw but in his excitement and as my 12g is FAC, he shot it 5 times in all http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif

We had fun and will probably be doing it again next week.

Here's a few of the maggie; not brill as Bash took them on his phone.........................................
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Kier/20-12-05_1534.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Kier/20-12-05_1533.jpg

[Saker-Clive]

23/12/'05.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. I thought he'd be a bit too heavy to hunt today so took him to the usual area just for some long flights and to see if he'd go for any maggies. He was eager to fly and he did put in on a couple of rabbits. There were plenty of crows but no easilly accessable magpies. He wasn't interested in them so we got some excellent long 200 yard flights to the corral fence from the hill behind.
There was a nice breeze but nothing exceptional for any decent soaring. We were out for about an hour and a half and we had a pleasant time away from the over excited kids http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif bah humbug http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

[Saker-Clive]

28/12/'05.

1lb. 8oz. A glorious sunny day but hovering on freezing, a nice breeze on the hill so I decided to give him an airing. It was minus 3 last night and he had 3 chicks yestrday but he didn't lose any weight!! I know the heater comes on but it still read 1c when I opened up!!!

After seeing the pheasants again this morning with the dogs, we went back there this afternoon hoping to put them up again; Kier was up in the tree line and I thrashed through the brambles and cover hoping to put the ******s up but it was not to be http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif He did try to ambush a magpie that was on the ground beneath him but just as he was about to hit, it took off and he eventually followed but as it was in the tree he didn't do anything!!!
He did have a good soar then dropped down hard but I couldn't hear anything........................then as I got closer, I could see him finishing off what looked like a mouse (far too small for a rat, and no struggle either). We did see a few rabbits and he went after 2 but they eluded us but I was glad; we had some knob with a rotty, decided to follow us just so he could see what we were doing http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif the frigging dog kept on running up to me and the guy called it back but I wasn't going to chance Kier hitting a rabbit then have the dog pilling in...............................some people just have no idea http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_exclaim.gif http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif
We made our way back onto the hill and he made some very long flights, which was getting on to worrying. The longest flight he did was about 400 yards from the hill down by the camp site. I carried walking along the bank, then called him and raised my arm..........he took off and made his way back; he had to do it in 2 stages as he was comming into the wind but considering his weight, the temperature and this was the first time out for a couple of days, he managed well. We headed back down the hill but we didn't see any thing; once back near the car, I put him up in the trees and got him in and out and catching his rewards before heading home. He's had the legs,heads and wings from 4 chicks and 2 bodies in total.

[Saker-Clive]

29/12/'05.

1lb. 8oz. still! After taking the dogs out and Biggles chasing and stalking 2 young foxes for nearly 45 minutes, we came home and I got Kier sorted. We went over the golf course the other side of the hill and in the valley.
It wasn't lng before the local kessie was back giving him grief http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif we weren't out too long when we both saw a rabbit 5o yards away out in the open just hopping about; he bobbed and was gone................the rabbit either heard his bells or saw him and started to run; Kier was on a mission and had the advantage as the rabbit was a good 30 yards from any real cover. Being at a reasonable height he was able to twist and turn and closed it down and hit it bloody hard; both Kier and the rabbit bowled over a few times but he has gort a good hold on it; 1 foot on its neck and the other half way down its back.
I just stood and watched for a few seconds, before legging it over to finish the rabbit off. kier wasn't too happy again with me grabbing hold of his diner but I was able to snap its neck and left him to take the eyes and tongue. Once he'd calmed down a little, I threw a chicks head a little way off and he jumped on it but kept one foot firmly attached to his kill. I was able to open it up a little so he could get at some of the flesh and let him crop up on it. This was a pretty big female and I weighed it with out the guts and it was 3lb. 4oz.
I doubt that he'll be at flying weight tomorrow http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[Saker-Clive]

02/01/'06.

1lb. 8oz., not too bothered as he had a good feed the other day, and yesterday the wife called me down to the enclosure as she saw a wren fly into his space and went behind the door. Kier was sitting, watching intently and the wife 'told me' to go and get the wren http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif !! As I moved the door, it flew out and straight into Kiers right foot. http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif He wouldn't let me near him but it was gone within a couple of seconds http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif

Any way, today just took him out for a bit of excersise. Suprisingly enough he did chase at some thing and crashed into the bushes but didn't come out with anything. He did a few long flights to the corral fence and back, and soared about which always looks impressive http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif
Only fed him 1 1/2 chicks today.

[Saker-Clive]

05/01/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. After Zarbu's 'effort' I needed a bit of a stress free time, and Kier is rarely stressfull. The dark grey/black clouds were looming over the hill and I put him up in the trees. I had a few snow flakes drop down but that was it for the time being. The wind had picked up a bit since this morning and it was biting http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif
Kier even at this weight was eager to fly, and from the hill flew down to some trees by the side of the corral 200 yards away, and got shot of a couple of crows http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif They soon had back up and then there was 4 of them, flying into the tree and 'telling him' what they thought!! He just sat there oblivious to them. I called him and he came straight back to the fist. I heard a rabbit in the scrub nearby and went over to see if I could flush it out. kier sat up above in the braches but although we could hear it we didn't see it. I went to walk along the lower area where we normally see the pheasants when out with the dogs but again we didn't see nothing. A magpie on the ground took his fancy but as he got near, it flew up into a tree but he didn't follow on. He did go down onto something and I waited for the squeal but nothing came so I thought he either missed or was just playing. As he hadn't come up like he usually does, I went over and caught him finishing off another frigging mouse http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif I got him back on the fist and made him work and excercise for some long flights. After about 8, 100 yard flights into the wind, we carried on making our way back towards our finishing point. Kier was up in a tree and I spooked and put up a young rabbit, which bolted out into the open for 30 yards, stopped then ran back in. Kier was off at it like a shot and missed it as it turned inward but he managed to carry on and follow it back to cover but it got away. We were out for a good hour and a half and in total, he had the head, legs and wings of 3 chicks, plus 2 bodies. (2 full chicks and the bits of another).

[Saker-Clive]

10/01/'06.

1lb. 6 3/4oz. A cold and windy overcast day, feeling much colder in the wind almost freezing.
Roo and I took Kier over to one of my golf courses; we had a good three-quarter of a mile trek from the car to the hill but it got Kier into the swing of things following on etc. Once we got to the hill, we put him up in the trees and just carried on walking along but we didn't see any rabbits or game; we got him to come to the fist and back to the trees, hoping to get something moving. After only being there for 20 minutes or so, Kier was a good 40 feet up in a tree top, looking back into the wind behind us..........................he them, powered out of the tree and was on a mission; we couldn't see what he was after then he set his wings sbout 10 yards before going down and hitting what ever it was he caught. http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif
At first there was no sound, then we heard a quiet squeal nothing like a rabbit, so we legged it the 60 yards or so towards him. Once we got there, I said that it was a vole but on closer looking (and the fact the fur was different) I noticed it was another bloody weasel. He had it by its head and was not going to give it up. I decided to try and get my knife in to dispatch it but because of its small size, I couldn't chance damaging Kier. I managed to get my foot on half of it and gave it a good squeeze. Kier then proceeded to devour his kill.
Considering the size of the weasel, and Kier was 60 ish yards away and up high in the tree, it goes to show just how accute their sight is. The grass was quite long and dense and hopefully, a few of the pictures Roo took will be posted up soon.
This is the second time he has now seen a bird take any quarry. On the way back to the car, we bumped into a lone golfer that came over to see Kier and ask the usual questions http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif I just slipped him a glove, gave him a chick foot and Kier did the rest............................. http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif he was well made up with this and went away on a high http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif A very pleasant day with the birds again and Roo learned how to make some equipment.

[Saker-Clive]

Here's one of the pictures.............

[Saker-Clive]

15/01/'06
1lb. 7oz. I took him out much later today as I might get him lamping just for a bit of fun.

He didn't put in on any thing today but the light was fading and he had a really good soar about. I've decided to start getting him used to being out much later as the light is fading and over the next week or so, get him on the lamp.

We didn't see the Pere when we got back over there :cry: 8)

[Sean]

good luck gettign him on the lamp m8 :) ive been flying rolf to the fist a few times at night, and i think hes ready. hope all goes well

[Saker-Clive]

I've just got him to fly to the fist in the enclosure with the security light behind me. Over the next few days, I'll get a lamp in there and get him used to that.:cool:

[Sean]

keep is informed now :)

[Saker-Clive]

17/01/'06.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. We went back over the golf course this afternoon, the same one Roo and I went to last week.
Pretty uneventful quarry wise but he has a good fly about and we saw a couple of kessies sitting in a nearby tree and the highlight of our session was on the way back.
About 25 yards infront of me I put up a barn owl that was on the ground; gladly and luckily Kier was well behind me but the owl went up, and circled over us and the 2 golfers on the fairway. One was the same guy as last week as well. He said, "I've never a real one before.......", so I said, "Not only have you seen one now, you've had one fly right over you!!" I gave his mate a glove today and Kier flew to him and back again. So they were both made up. The owl disappeared overthe hill but I know where it lives http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[Saker-Clive]

18/01/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. The weather was very hit and miss today so I have just finished playing with the lamp in the enclosure.
I know it is in his own territory and it's only a 4m flight but he did manage ok; only problem was, as he knew I had the food in my pocket (as usual) every time I put him back inside, he decided to 'fly' on to my shoulder as I was getting out of the housing http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif He did manage well enough, so I think in a day or so, if I get help, I wll try him in the corral for real........ http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif I will just go back to 'basics' over there; start with a few 10 foot flights, then get further away a little at a time.

Not sure if I should put him on the creance to start with?

[Saker-Clive]

23/01/'06.

1lb. 7oz. Very cold compared to the lovely weekend we just had. We went out later again today around 15.00hrs. We saw several rabbits but for some stupid reason he took no notice http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif We went towards the top of the hill and sat about 20 yards above the warrens; withing 5 minutes, one popped his head out and just sat on the edge. I kept trying to get Kier to see it but he wasn't having any of it; I threw a stone down to it and Kier was off; the stone nearly hit the rabbit but it just hopped down the hole and Kier footed the stone http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif
i got him up in a tree above the holes then 2 youngish rabbits came runnig out chasing each other; Kier saw them and was about to go when one of them stopped on the edge of the brambles and the other one casually walked 15 yards down the hill to the tree line; Kier just sat and watched http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif
I'd had enough by this time, so I started to go back towards the car. When I was 50 yards from him, he took off and flew through the wooded area and straight past me...........................and sat on the roof of the car, he's never done this before and seemed quite pleased with himself; a couple that had just arrived with their dogs thought that was well impressive http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif I called him back to the fist and jessed him up before letting him jump into his carrier.
I think his weight is gonna have to come down again to get him back on track.

[Saker-Clive]

24/01/'06.

1lb. 7oz. Another beautiful day all be it very cold but there wasn't much wind so it didn't feel it.
Roo and I set off for the pheasant ground. We got down into the wood and put Kier up in the trees, he followed superbly but unfortunately we didn't see anything to chase or flush; we decided that after about an hour, we'd go to the other golf course we went on previously. Again, on arrival, he followed on really well, and soared about as this course is more open. There were loads of woodies in the trees and Kier soon went around and got them moving. At one point, a pigeon crossed directly in front of him and we both thought he was about to grab it but it was moving at a good rate of knotts. The resident female Kessy came over and showed her disapproval of him, and began a few minutes of stooping him. She soon went off to hunt and we carried on working the bank.
Well for some reason again, we didn't see or flush anything and the only thing that Kier chased was a couple of blackbirds!!!!
On our way back, we saw the kessy drop down and catch a mouse, as when Kier went over, she flew past us and at first Ithought she had jesses on but it was the mouses tail hanging down. She went and sat on the fairway to eat her kill, and we got to within 20 yards of her and Roo managed to get numerous shots of her.
We then came home and put him away. He was really stunning, soaring about and very responsive, it was just a shame we didn't see anything today.

[Roo]

I think Kier flew better than I've seen before, just a shame there really wasn't much to chase

Here are a few pictures anyway,

I thought this one looked quite odd!
http://www.flowtography.co.uk/a/albums/userpics/10004/111_DSC7281.JPG

A little bit of soaring:
http://www.flowtography.co.uk/a/albums/userpics/10004/111_DSC7282.JPG

The local Kestrel:
I know they are good at hovering, but having a meal whilst doing it is something I haven't seen before!
http://www.flowtography.co.uk/a/albums/userpics/10004/111_DSC7310.JPG

Heading for his favourite spot...
http://www.flowtography.co.uk/a/albums/userpics/10004/111_DSC7337.JPG

[Saker-Clive]

Cracking shots there Roo; I do like the second and the last one of him:supz: the Kessy is quite cute don't you think?

[BFC 007]

nice pics roo,what camera you got mate?

[Roo]

Yeah, I like the 2nd and last one, the first on is scary!


BFC 007: I use a Nikon D70, but focussing is a right pain, not sure how the pro's do it?

For every good pic, there are prob 4 out of focus:cry:

[Saker-Clive]

It is rather spooky but the 2 little appendiges are the 'alulas'.

I've played with the other 2.............................

[BFC 007]

Yeah, I like the 2nd and last one, the first on is scary!


BFC 007: I use a Nikon D70, but focussing is a right pain, not sure how the pro's do it?

For every good pic, there are prob 4 out of focus:cry:


just needs practice mate :wink: im sure you will get there.

[Roo]

I hope so!



Here's a close crop of the Kestrel in flight.
http://www.flowtography.co.uk/a/albums/userpics/10004/kes.JPG

[Saker-Clive]

31/01/'06.

1lb. 8 3/4oz. He is still bloody heavy since I gave him a large rat on Friday. I did originally give it to Zarbu as I had just knocked it on the head but she just sat on it for an hour before picking at it!!!
He went up to 1lb. 12oz. so has not had much to eat since then. A couple of chick heads and legs but he is holding onto his weight like nobodies business.
Anyway, I took him out and was pleasantly suprised at his work rate, even chasing 2 rabbits but not binding:roll: We went over the farm that I shoot on for a change and he flew well; nothing spectacular but I wasn't expecting him to be. It was just a nice hour and a bit of enjoyable fun with a few flights to make it a little more exciting.

[Sean]

ouch thats some weight increase clive, hows the lamping coming on?

[Saker-Clive]

lol; you don't need to tell me:rolleyes: , as for the lamping, that's been put on hold for a while until his weight gets back to bloody normal :wink: :roll:

[Saker-Clive]

02/02/'06.

1lb. 8oz. still............ took him over the golf course just now but there was ****** all about.................then we saw a fox, which Kier took great interest in, bobbing like a good'n. I started to 'squeak it' but it only came down to about 40 yards before realising i wasn't a rabbit in distress and scuttled along into the scrub. A few minutes later further up and to the right came out a bloody great dog fox and just sat in the open watching us.
After seeing these 2 patrolling about, I knew we wouldn't se anything to fly at, so I got him doing some long lure recalls. I got him coming from about 200 yards for the lure and he worked well enough. He was eager enough even at this weight, as I threw a couple of golf balls and he soon went after them and footed them for a while.

[Saker-Clive]

04/02/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. Another grey day but not as cold.

Took him out just to keep his fitness up and to hopefully see a few rabbits but it just isn't happening http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif we hear them in the thick undercover but that is about it.
He flew exceptionally well today, flying off a couple of hundred yards on some instances, then just turning and powering his way back. We were out for about almost 2 hours and we bumped into a few people and one of them had a little 8 year old boy and was very interested; I gave him a glove and got Kier to do the usual, fly off then come in to the boy a few times and they all went away wishing they'd had a camera http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif

On our way back, we went to the top of the hill and waited to see if any rabbits were going to pop out but again nothing; in the end, Kier took off and had a good soar, then out of the blue.......................set his wings and glided all the way down to the car park and sat on the roof of the car again http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif an old woman that parked next to mine got out of the car and was looking all around to see where he had come from. I started to make my way down but as soon as I got out of sight, I heard his bells and he came looking for me. Once back on the fist, I held on to him and met the ol' girl. She was most fascinated, and kept saying that she didn't know what she was going to do about trying to catch him if he was lost. I gave her a glove and Kier went through th same ol' thing and she went away totally amazed......................................
If we don't start seeing anything soon, I'll go mental http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif

[Sean]

maybe next time m8, sounds like it was a good day anyway, and i bet u made a few other peoples day lettign them fly kier

[Saker-Clive]

Last last couple of weeks have been really poor; we've just not really seen anything to hunt.
I think that the rabbits are starting the ol' mating early.

[Sean]

got a pregnant one last saturday mate, real shame, but was very frost start of last wek, so that should take there minds of it for a while lol

[Saker-Clive]

11/02/'06.

1lb7 1/2oz. A beautiful sunny afternoon with a little breeze. Well considering he hasn't been out for 4 days and he is on the heavy side to hunt, he flew stonkingly!!

He also flew a different way today than I have ever seen from him http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif whilst on a post, he began to get mobbed by what started off with 5 crows; this increased to around 20 and he then took flight and had a bit of a soar about with the corvids in persuit http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif after about 20 minutes he took off circled then stooped down hard http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif I waited for the tell tale squeal but after a few seconds all the crows went mental. As I ran up the hill towards him, a crow riggled free but had a damaged wing. It managed to fly a short distance away then sat in a tree. The other crows were making a hell of a din and mobbing Kier with a lot more intent. I called him to the fist as he didn't seem too bothered about finishing off what he started and the crow kept moving a few yards every so often.
Kier kept on going up on a soar and circling around then diving to the undergrowth. I guess he has learnt that if he's up, he can see better!! He also put in on a magpie that was sitting on the ground but everytime he stooped, the maggie ducked and hopped into the brush!
Although there were a number of rabbits running about in the gorse, Kier just couldn't get a good flight at them; he almost hovered a few times but didn't make a too good a job of it http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif
i have got to get his weight down for next Saturdays field meet and get him totally switched on. We'll be out quite a lot this week flying over and in various environments.

[Saker-Clive]

13/02/'06.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. After lunch I took him over the local golf course where Roo and I normally go. considering we didn't see hardly anything today he still made 2 kills http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif 1 feathered (which I will not say what as I don't want any recrimination) and a mouse or something, it was just disappearing as I got to him http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif

I must admit, that the feathered was a cracking shot; he was in a tree and looking about, when the woody came from my right and he must have seen it coming and came straight out and hit it as it went infront of him; they both went down and he had a firm grip. I let him take his fill and we made our way back. I'm hoping to cut him down to 1lb. 7oz. for our field meet on Saturday to make him really focussed.

[Saker-Clive]

16/02/'06.

1lb. 6 3/4oz. At last his weight is coming back down; we've got a field meet on Saturday so I thought a short session working in the wind before a rest tomorrow.
He soared like it was his last ever flight! He got the wind under him and went up possibly higher than I've ever seen him go. It was a little scary but brill to see; he was on the wing for about a minute and a half before I called him down for a tid bit. After that, he kept going from the tree tops and out over the caravan site but was about 200 feet up and just gliding about; I thought I'd see what he'd do when I dropped the db on the ground while he was going away, then i shouted and ran along the hill. The db was full length of the creance and he had to pump very hard to get back to me and the bunny. From about 50 yards out, he stooped from his height and came in really well but I slowed right down as I wanted to watch him and couldn't run and watch with out breaking my leg or neck:roll: (no comments please);)
We were out for about 45 minutes then came home. I gave him 2 chicks and depending on his weight in the morning, probably only give him a couple of heads tomorrow.

[Saker-Clive]

18/02/'06.

1lb. 6 3/4oz. A grey and wet day. Today was the 'clubs' field meeting. The first couple of hours the rain held off and the 4 birds being flown all flew well. There was Kier, Rebel, Khan and Denver, the last 2 were centre birds and Rebel is Kier's younger brother, '03 bird.
There was a big upset as the numbers fell from 21 right down to 9 on the day but if people decide not to join in, they cannot complain later on!! We didn't see a thing all morning. Kier was taking the lead from the off and was constantly looking for something to take. We beated and just saw nothing. Denver at the start, caught a vole and Kier did his usual and caught another bloody weasel. This is his forth now in about 6 weeks. As we were hoping to go to another place after lunch, I took the stinky weasel away and 'lost it' in the bushes.
When we got back for lunch, the heavens opened and for nearly an hour it came down and the afternoon session was called off. This was very unfortunate as after we all left to come home, ten minutes down the road, it stopped and brightened up:evil:
Kier flew very positively and stood out compared to the others; this was not my just my assumption but some of the other members that do not have a hawk commented on. He ended up with a major strop on after having his 'kill' taken away, then finishing up before time.
All that attended enjoyed the morning but the weather put a downer on it in the end. On getting home, I gave him 3 chicks and all the legs, wings etc. that was for the day.

[Saker-Clive]

.........just a few pics. from this morning; (nothing special but............)

[Sean]

hey m8, sounded like a good day then, a kil is a kill . how does he fly with other birds?

[Saker-Clive]

He's always been good with other birds; unfortunately as there was ****** all about, so they couldn't work as a team.:goodman: I love flying him with others and this is the first time this season that he has done so!!

[Saker-Clive]

26/02/'06.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. I made arrangements to go up to Leatherhead today to meet up with MattG and possibly Big Daz; well Mattg arrived and we went to the land that has the 'lose HH', unfortunately we didn't see her today but the did see a local pair of buzzards.
I put Kier up and we walked along the hedges and woods trying to get the bird to come out of hiding but to no avail.
Kier in the meantime, flew impecably, and Matt's 2 boys wanted to take him home:roll: :grin: .
I intentionally put his weight up a little as I didn't want him hunting but he did put in one excellent chase on a Woodcock; I put the woodcock up and Kier was 30 yards behind me. He gave chase and followed it for about 200 yards but fortunately/unfortunately he didn't get it. He went up into a distant tree, then came straight back.
The wind was around 20mph. and he thoroughly enjoyed playing on it. He'd soar off 150 yards, then work his way back into the wind. Matt's boys were totally smitten with him and I think his wife will be getting an ear bashing about getting one soon.
It was a shame that we didn't get a sighting of our intended 'quarry' but it was seen yesterday afternoon where we were and it had just caught a pigeon and eaten it.

[Saker-Clive]

......................................

[Saker-Clive]

and a couple more, not of today though......................

[BFC 007]

nice pics clive,whats up with his eye?

[Saker-Clive]

It's been an ongoing prob. this season; he went down hard a few times in thick gorse/brambles and nicked the orbital ridge. Then every so often he knocks it and it bleeds again:roll: , I'll be glad once he starts the moult so he can have a proper rest etc. and his eye will heal nicely.
Today he's had 2 full chicks, legs, wings and heads of 4 chicks and when we got home, I gave him a pheasant carcase we took to try and bait the lost HH.
I've just put him away with a 'cricket ball' sized crop. He might start moulting any day at this rate.:wink:

[Bengal Owl]

thank you Clive and Keir for coming over today although the loose Harris wasn't sighted or the plan to lure it out of hiding didn't go down it was still an
excellent day out for me and my boys.
one thing has come out of this seeing keir in action and a long way off but will be getting a hawk for our self only after i looked into it more as i have the owls i got all the time in the world before getting a hawk,
keir in flight and was a beautiful sight the grace and accuracy with the wind in his face coming in to land on the tree of fence post not forgetting the low level over the fields and hedges my 2 boys running around him enjoying there day out hawk hunting

thanks for a good day clive and keir

[Sean]

never noticed the marking on his head, looks nice, like golden eyebrows lol. hope he moults well for u mate :)

[Saker-Clive]

Hopefully I'll keep him going until April before putting him down to moult.

[Saker-Clive]

27/02/'06.

Well I weighed him this morning expecting him to be a little heavy............................................1 lb. 10 1/2oz:shock:

Don't think he'll be flying for a while:roll: :rolleyes:

[Saker-Clive]

04/03/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. We were both lucky enough to be invited along to a Hawking Day and a terrific day was had all round. It was chilly to start with but clear blue skies, almost like a summers day.
After the clients arrived and all the introductions and ground rules were said, we headed off for the mornings session. I upped his weight as the last time out at an ounce lighter, he was spot on but very 'glove orrientated' when food was offered! Unfortunately the mornings session was very sparce of anything to chase but the highlight 3 Roe deer that ran down along the feild; Kier left the tree he was in about 50 yards in and made chase; he was swiftly followed by the other bird with us. We all watched in amazement as the birds chased the deer for about 200 yards. Kier did throw his feet out and was about to bind to one but raked away at the last second. This got the birds into a frenzy, and the afternoon was exceptional. After lunch, we made our way to a different location where we knew there would be rabbits, pheasant (I know out of season but the keeper had asked if we could clear some as they didn't want to go and catch them up). We had told the clients that because of the seasons, we didn't want to take anything game wise but the chase is far more thrilling than the kill. Soon after arrival the 3 birds this time were put up in the trees and we made our way through the forrest and fields. Kier left a tree closely followed by one of the others and he hit a cock bird which after a struggle made it's escape and the 2 birds were left sitting on a pile of feathers. The female was a little slow in following up and she missed it on the rise. All 3 birds were now a liitle peeved at losing there prey. It wasn't long before Kier caught site of a squirrel and hit it hard up in the branches, (this is the first time he has ever gone after one:evil: ) luckily it also got away and we carrid on.
As we approached the next field, which had been left to go 'wild' all the birds were put up around the edges; as we strolled through the 200 yards space we must have put up about 15-20 birds. Kier was 50-60 yards ahead and about the same to the right. As the quarry birds broke cover and began to rise, Kier chased several with 'high otane enthusiasm'. On three occaisions he almost headed off and tail chased for the length of the field and into the woods behind. After pulling up, he'd come back and take position again. The other 2 were still having a cob on and unfortunately missed the fun. They all calmed down a touch, then the centres 2 birds both flew almost the width of the field and hit another squirrel. The female definately had it and it got away but she got it again. It managed to get down a rabbit hole at the base of a tree and she was 'hanging on' with wings spread and both feet down the hole. The owners gently got her up and checked her over to make sure no bites or anything, and we carried on. All the birds were fired up again and Kier even began to chase the little finches that were grouping on the ground!!! We all thought that they birds deserved some quarry after all the excellent work they put in and the very end of the day we were lucky to get one. Not a pheasant or a rabbit but a bird that 'shouldn't have been up in a tree' as it is more of a wader. Anyway, both Kier and the other male, flew towards this tree on a mission and we thought another tree rat, then both birds hit the tree and came tumbling to the ground. It took us 30 seconds to get to them and both birds had a good hold of their quarry. Kier had both feet on its head and neck and the other on its back end. We removed it from them and it was handed to me so I placed it in my bag. We made our way home but just before I got home, there was a commotion in the back of the car............................................... ..the quarry was only stunned and began to run around in the back; unfortunately, it ran in front of Kiers box and he grabbed it again. By the time I pulled over and checked what was going on, he was eating its head that he pulled through the front of the box.

A very exciting day was had by all and the birds flew better than I ever expected..........................here's a couple of shots of them in a tree together..............................(nothin brill as it was my cheapo camera)

[Sean]

well done clive :D

[Saker-Clive]

09/03/'06.

1lb. 8oz. Not too bothered about his weight today as I knew he'd still fly well to the fist and soar about. This Saturday we've been invited out again as it is the last Hawking Day of this season that the centre is having.
After Zarbu's cracking performance, Laura didn't think it would get much better but she soon loved having him flying to her as this was more hands on than the Saker. She was giggling like a little school girl:twisted: and really loving the closeness of it all.
I said that both her and her partner should come out and make a day of it but she said that he has a phobia about birds:lol: ......................I managed to get some good action shots of Kier landing on her glove but they were with her camera, so I might get them at a later date..............

[BFC 007]

she needs bending over mate :supz:

[Saker-Clive]

she needs bending over mate :supz:

She needs to take that bloody hat off:roll: :heart:

[BFC 007]

that will drop off when bent over mate

[Saker-Clive]

11/03/'06.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. The weather stayed calm for us today and we went out with the local centre on their last full Hawking Day; same format as last weeks and again, Kier saw and chased 3 deer but not with the same vigour as the last time. Khan found a few voles but there wan't much about but the afternoon was much better again.
We took Tulsa, a large female and Denver a male and headed for the ground. Tulsa took and killed a rabbit, she put a talon through its skull. Both Kier and Denver shot off and headed towards the next field; a cock pheasant got up then a few minutes later Kier chased 2 woodcock. A few minutes again Kier took flight and headed across the next field; Denver followed over a short while after and a hen pheasant went up but again, Kier just missed her mid flight. Everytime he missed, he got more intent on looking and chasing. We carried on through the forrest , then Kier was off again, then dropped hard almost virtically; we saw 2 rabbits, run off in opposite directions and he was left sitting on the ground looking dejected:confused:
Tulsa took off again on a mission and hit hard; when we got to her she was on the ground with both feet full of feathers. By this time, all the birds seemed to be working for themselves instead of together:!: Kier went in the opposite directin and went down; we waited a few seconds but didn't hear anything, so I called to him then he began to jump about and fly around the tree and go back down again. 2 of the others began to trek over towards him about 100 yards away and I called him in wqith the lure..................................Tulsa saw her chance and 'killed' my lure:roll: , she wasn't giving it up easily either. Just as the others got to where Kier was, he flew back and sat in the tree next to me. They had a good look around and suspected he was after a squirrel.
We carried on, and came to a freshly ploughed field......................once again, Kier was on a mission and flew about 250 yards the length of this field and went down hard. A few seconds later, we heard a bird in distress, another Moorehen I thought and 'legged it' across this fied in wellies and it was frigging hard going! As we approached the far side I listened for the bells as by this time the kill was dead. I put the receiver on and pin pointed his direction and location. There he was, in the hedge row plucking a Jay:shock: all that way and flying for a bloody Jay!. He has never seen one before let alone know it was food. I just wished we'd seen it.
Another great day and I let him have his kill on the way home. All being well, next Friday afternoon we're going back for another session.

[Saker-Clive]

16/03/'06.

1lb. 8oz. As we're out tomorrow with the raptor centre, I didn't want to feed him up too much so he had to work for his food today. We set off to our usual training ground and he was a little slow to start. We saw numerous rabbits and Kier did go after something and went down hard but by the time we got to him he didn't have anything except a couple of little cuts on his feet!! possibly another weasel. I powdered the wounds and we carried on. He just wasn't interested in the rabbits but on our way back, he flew after something and went 150 yards down into the valley. We saw a lot of pigeons put up but we don't know what he saw. He then took flight again on a long chase and Lee said there was a maggie on the ground; just as he approached it flew off and he carried on further down and sat on the ground. Half a dozen crows flew down to him and they all sat there:rolleyes: I called him back to the glove and he was followed by the corvids. We made our way down towards the car and we then noticed the car park filling up with another group of Irish pykies; I tld them that there was a better site up the top of the road but they said that they couldn't get in and it was full of 'hippies'.
Although he ended up flying well I still think that he gets a bit 'blazey' over there. Another pleasant day with both birds.

[Sean]

hope the hunt tomorrow with the cnetre goes well :) make sure u update us :)

[Saker-Clive]

17/03/'06.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. Cold and grey with a good 15mph wind. We got tpo the permission and set off; all 3 birds were up for anything and worked really well together. Tulsa, Denver and Kier all flew up into the tree tops and when one moved forward, the other 2 followed. Although we didn't take anything today, there were a number of chases, hits and a few misses
Tulsa was first to search something out and hit a big cock phes., it managed to get away leaving her very angry and a foot full of feathers.
Then Kier, followed by Denver chased a rabbit through the woods but that made its escape but both birds sat above expecting it to show itself again
We put up a couple of woodcock but all the birds were somewhere else! After a short while, all 3 birds seemed to go off altogether working very nicely, then they went after another cock phes. it got up and climbed almost virtically out of the woods........
Kier then was on a mission and chased a small rabbit twisting and turning for about 60 yards and reached out to bind but that too just managed to get down a hole. By this time all the birds were getting pretty knarked and we carried on regardless. Kier was off again and cartwheeled then went down really hard...........a cock phes. shouted out and we could hear a scuffle; Denver then hurtled over to help Kier and when we got to them, Kier was under a Rhodadendrum (sp) bush with feathers in his talons and Denver had hold of the back end of the bird, being pulled along the undergrowth. Julian made in and scrambled through the brush to assist Denver. Twice he got hold of it and both times it wriggled free; I had picked Kier up and run around to head them off. Just then the tail feathers came out and it ran into the scrub; I literally threw Kier towards it but he pulled up and sat looking at Denver with all the feathers. Denver would not come out fore nearly 10 minutes, just running back and forth in search of his quarry!!
We came out into an open field and we were told that the next field over is not 'ours' and we best stay away...................no sooner than he said that, Kier was on a mission again and pumped his way across not just our field but right across the other side of the other one...................the other 2 then followed to the boundry and we made our way over. What ever it was he saw he didn't get it, then soared his way back. All that work flying 350 yards or so for nothing. The flight was really good though. As we neared the end of our afternoon, we were approaching the pond where Kier took the Moorehen a little while ago; I asked if there were any ducks on it and Julian said very rarely. I said that Kier had never gone after one before and didn't know if he would if we saw one...................he was off again with both Tulsa and Denver in hot persuit; 3 ducks got up and they missed their targets again.
As we made our way back through the woods towards the vehicles, Denver followed by Kier went off ahead; we heard a cock bird calling then we saw a large raptor going overhead. At first we were'nt sure if it was one of ours but we saw it again and Julian thinks it was the female gos that lived in the area. We then saw 3 pheasants break cover and go up into the trees; then we saw a dog fox scuttling through where they'd been.
Although we came away with nothing, the 4 hours of flying was truelly spectacular; all 3 birds worked brilliantly together and they worked as a unit. The clients were more than impressed and we were really happy with the birds. Todays forray was Kiers last for this season, before I put him down to moult, I am going to keep flying him in and out of trees and slowly increase his weight, until the days draw out. Another month of easy flying then a well earned rest.

[Sean]

sounds liek a good day out m8 :)

[Saker-Clive]

It was Sean; it's hard to put into words just how hard they all flew and worked. We were more upset for the birds not coming away with anything.

BRING ON NEXT SEASON........:supz:

[Saker-Clive]

15/08/'06.

He has virtually finished his moult now, he's got 3 tail feathers halfway down and that will be his tail fully sorted. I've been in with him over the past week, getting him to fly to the fist for his food etc. and just having him used to being on the glove again.
We took him out a couple of days ago on the creance with one of the club members family and again with Ldg30mk. He was a little upset with me for putting him in the box but did fly to the others well enough.

Today he weighed 1lb. 8oz. too heavy for any real training but it will get him back into a routine while I cut him back over the next week or 2. We'll be going out later this afternoon and I'm expecting better this time.:supz:

[Saker-Clive]

15/08/'06.
1lb. 8oz. Well I've just got back and what a stink he was in again!! He didn't like going in the box, even with a bit of food in it.

Once more, he refused to jump to the fist but he did fly for heads thrown up to catch. He did this out to 20 yards then I put him back on the goal post and showed him a chick body and a reward on the glove. This got his attention and he came several times, chirping all the way.
We had a pleasant if not too exciting hour. In all he had 2 chicks.
On getting home, I decided to put him on his bow and he will stay there all night.

[Saker-Clive]

16/08/'06.

1lb. 8oz. A bright evening with little wind coming from the south east. I met up with Paul a local guy that wants to learn (been out with Zarbu) but he had not met Kier before; we got to the corral and I put the creance on then put him up on the goal post. I put him on the cadge on the way there so that may have made a difference.
He was a little slow for the first couple of jumps, then we opened it right up and he flew back and forth from the post to the end of the penalty area http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif

We got him to speed up so as to keep his concentration up and this seemed to work well. Paul seemed to really enjoy himself as this type of training compared to seeing Zarbu flying is totaly hands on. http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif
The last half a dozen flights, I got Pauley to go the creance length past me so Kier was basically flying about 40 metres (my old creance has been cut down for the ties on my lures http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif ). If this keeps up, he'll be free in 2 weeks while his weight is dropping. http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif
__________________________________________________ ____________

The weather is supposed to break tomorrow but I'm hoping to get him out to get the routine going.

[Sean]

hi clive, good to see kier is going through training again, relaly liekd the diary last year. how come your waiting 2 weeks to fly him free if hes coming 50 yards already tho?

[Saker-Clive]

Hi sean, after last seasons begining, I want to make totally sure he is fully manned down and totally responsive; I nearly set him free tonight but thought it was pushing my luck:rolleyes:
At 1lb. 8oz. he's got a good ounce to come off.................don't forget, they are very clever birds;) and I'm not getting caught out just cos he had one good session.:supz:

[Saker-Clive]

19/08/'06.

1lb. 7 7/8oz. Met up with Paul a newbie and a paraglider; I suggested to him to bring his wife along to see the birds and hopefully help to persuede her to let him get into the sport properly:wink:

Well she was highly tken with both Kier and Tarka for different reasons. Tarka for his quirky insecurities and nievety, and Kier for his grace and the way he flew to all of us etc. He was so well behaved that I slipped his creance off and for 10 minutes we had him flying free beautifully. I got him comming about 50 yards with no problems.
He had a total of 2 chicks and some fresh rabbit liver. The next month or so we are going to get his fitness back and then our season can really begin. I will have to play it by ear this next week and monitor his progress as I don't really want to put him back on the line.

[Sean]

free already :D good man mate, how does 2 chicks affect his weight? has he a high metablism? at the moment if i gave rolf 2 chick legs he would probually gain weight lol

[Saker-Clive]

At the moment because of the temperature being mild, 2 chicks will hold his weight BUT he gets a varying diet even now. Yesterday all I gave him was a partridge head and neck. Once the temp. drops to 10c and below, he'll need more to keep his weight stable.

I'll probably keep him in the corral for a few sessions to get his routing right, then we'll hit the trees etc. and long walks.

[Saker-Clive]

21/08/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. After a lot of heavy rain this morning, it brightened so i got everything ready and we set off to our playground:wink:
The first few flights went as I hoped but then, on his forth, he came towards me then raked away and headed to the top of the bank and found 'his old' post. There he sat for about 5 mins. then he jumped up turned and went down hard.............................................. ..I waited with bated breath but there was no sound of a struggle or squeal of a stuck rabbit. I legged it the 100 or so yards across the field and up the bank clambering my way through the brambles. As I neared the top, I could hear his bells but still no other sounds......so I carried on towards him and he then jumped up and back on his post. I was thinking to myself, am I letting him have too much freedom too soon but he sat there chirping at me:-P
I got him to fly for a few tidbits, then began to get further away until I as back down on the flat. I lso took the video but filming him is harder than Zarbu as I have to call him to the fist and film one handed:oops: I enjoyed our first official session and we were only out about 45 minutes. 2 chicks in total and this not too brilliant bit of footage..............................

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/?action=view&current=Kierfree.flv

[Saker-Clive]

22/08/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. We started off at the same spot again today but I wanted to head down over the trees to the corral; I got him to fly to the post about 30 yards away, then offered him a return flight to the fist. He was too busy looking ntently into the bushes around him, so I walked down the hill towards the corral. I called to him then about 10 seconds later as I was out of sight, I heard his bells, then saw him come over the top of the tree's on his way towards me http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif he was comming into the wind which was about 12mph. then instead of comming to me, he went up a good 30 feet and had a little 20 second 'soar' before landing in the tree tops. I carried on into the corral and made my way towards the middle. He was a good 70 yards away, so I showed him a head and he was on his way back and landed on the glove for his reward. I told him to go back to the fence and he did. I got him to fly numerous 80 yard flights and several catches.
I am very happy with his performance and as much as I don't want to, he still needs an ounce off to get him spot on and focussed. I guess the next 3-4 weeks we will lengthen our sessions and get him flying back in strong winds again so he is fully fit when the season gets underway.
As much as I love my falcons, you just can't beat the companionship you get with a Harris. http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif
In total, today he had the head and legs of 4 chicks and 1 body.

[Sean]

sounds like a good session mate, he been having any flights at the rabbits yet?

[Saker-Clive]

Not proper flights but the other day while on his post, he jumped up and dived into the scrub below him but didn't get anything.......unless it was a mouse which was gone by the time I got to him.

Plenty of time for game once the season starts, and the rabbits as and when he's fit enough.

[Sean]

cover is still very high anyway, as i found out last night lol:roll:

[Saker-Clive]

24/08/'06.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. We went out on the hill today; started at the bottom and walked up towards the top. Today was his first time in and out of tall trees and they were laden with magpies and crows:rolleyes: , these did seem to keep him more occupied than the glove but he soon followed on once I got about 100 yards away.

he had a few good soars, and the wind was just nice; strong enough to make him work but not too strong to blow him about. I took a little more video but it isn't anything spectacular; everytime I tried to get him to soar for the video, he didn't, everytime I put the bloody thing away.............he went out on one. I got the tail end of one but as I say, nothing marvelous!!!:goodman:
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/?action=view&current=kier1.flv

Another good session and we finished off with a few people comming over to see him and he flew to a couple of them in his usual style:supz:

[Sean]

nice video mate

[Saker-Clive]

25/08/'06.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. I took a few of the managers out this afternon for a taster of an afternoon with the birds.

I only took Kier and he was his usual impressive and charismatic self. He flew very well to everyone and when we got near the top of the hill, we got the wind and he soared like his old self again.
We did see a few rabbits but he didn't show any interest just yet but he did chase a couple of pigeons that landed beneath him in some of the trees.:lol:
The women absolutely loved it as did the guys but it is always a bigger bonus when they fall for the birds. As I expected, there were loads of photo opportunities so I guess once I get some of them I'll post them up. His longest flights were about 150 yards and I got the dummy-bunny run as well:supz:. A very good and enjoyable 2 1/2 hours was had by all and they want more:-D

[Saker-Clive]

27/08/'06.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. I met up with Pauley around 18:00hrs. and we went for a very good 2 hour play with Kier. We went back to where I took my managers on Friday and put him up. As we approached the first copse, Kier remembered his sighting from the other day and stayed in there for a while.
After getting him out, we carried on towards the hill and we got some very nice wind, about 12-15mph. Kier soared today like he had never done and was totally amazing. Luckily I had the video and got a good soar captured http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/?action=view&current=Kier-soaring.flv (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/?action=view&current=Kier-soaring.flv)

We didn't see many rabbits and Kier didn't show any interest in them again but he did take a lot of interest in the crows and magpies today. He made a few very long flights which shocked me a bit and when 300 yards away, refused to come back but that is obviously down to his weight at the mo. After a few minutes he made his way back but for some reason he wasn't overly keen to come to me http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif He seemed to really enjoy his soaring about and all that saw him was imprssed as well.

In all he's had the head, legs and wings of 4 chicks and 1 body.

[Sean]

great clip mate

[Saker-Clive]

I liked it:supz:, just another couple of weeks getting his fitness up to scratch, and flying in varying conditions, then the serious side of the 'patnership' can start.

Doing what he loves and what comes naturally, taking out the rabbits, partridge and pheasants.............................plus what ever else takes his fancy;-) I just hope that this year he leaves the weasels alone.:roll:

[Saker-Clive]

30/08/'06.

1lb.7 1/4oz. He seemed really up for it today, so I decided to take him to one of the regular golf courses.
He started off well, then for no apparent reason stayed put 30 feet up in one of the trees. I carried on walking for a good 150 yards but he didn't follow............................................ ..then came his rawcous 'corrrrrrr' http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif I legged it back to see what the problem was and low and behold...................a lovely green and yellow tractor 300 yards away in the opposite field began ploughing http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif I had to clamber through waist high brambles for 30 yards before getting close enough for him to feel comfortable to come to the fist. I carried him further away then put him up and he had a little soar about; as I was making my way down the hill a young cock pheasant ran out in front of me and Kier from about 100 feet up, dropped like a stone and hit this poor bird but luckily he didn't bind to it and it managed to fly off calling (or swearing) as it went off. Because of the length of the scrub, Kier lost sight of it and then came up to the fist.
Although this seemed to get him in the mood, he kept getting a glimpse of the tractor which upset him again and again. I decided enough was enough and eventually got him back and equipped him, then made our way back to the car. The biggest problem was we had to walk towards the green and yellow monster to get back to the car; several more angry 'corrrrrrrrs' then we got out of sight of it and he calmed back down again.
Although not a good session the stoop was pretty spectacular http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif and hopefully a good sign of things to come once the official season opens soon.

[Bash]

dropped like a stone and hit this poor bird but luckily he didn't bind to it and it managed to fly off calling (or swearing) as it went off.

Great post to your diary again SS but I'm sure you meant to say.....

Dropped like a stone and hit ten tons of **** of the little ****** but unfortunatly he didn't bind to it and it unluckly made a hasty escape only for him to nail it again another day.

You sounded like a bloomin' tree hugger with the other statement. LOL:lol:

I'm sure it was a typo...:lol:

Keep the diary up. Great read.

[Saker-Clive]

:supz: no mate, I posted it right the first time........................got another 4 weeks before it's 'legal':goodman: ;) Bring on OCTOBER 1st; well December is a good indication of the birds true fitness, don't like muggings as such.

[Bash]

Opps, forgot about that....:oops:

You had me there!

LOL. Thanks SS.

[Saker-Clive]

01/09/'06.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. We didn't get out yesteday as the weather kept comming over wet, then dry so I didn't bother!

Today was grey and a good wind around 18-20mph. so we went to our usual 'training ground' just for some fitness flying, a bit of soaring with the hope of seeing a rabbit or two. He was a tad slow in the begining but after a few quick turn around flights he settled down and became more focussed. He went and sat on one of his posts then began to bob with keen interest and a couple of times started to leave the post but stopped again:rolleyes: I decided to leave him up there to see if anything was going to happen then he began to preen:roll:

I called him down and got him to catch a head which got him interested again; we carried on for about 20 minutes or so, then he headed back up to the post again with intent. He was standing upright and fully stretched in length then he went down about 10 yards from the post.............................................. ...............there was no noise of distress or anything but I could hear his bells as if he was stamping or footing something. I made my way up through the brambles again and eventually got to him. To my annoyance he had and was tucking in well into another bloody weasel:evil: NOT what I wanted to chalk up as a first kill of the season but it gets him into the swing of things. I doubt we'll be flying much over the weekend now but he was pleased with himself.

[Saker-Clive]

27/09/'06.

It's been a while since I updated this, since the last post. Not a great deal has been happening really as the weather is still very warm and his weight just won't drop enough to make him totally focussed. We have had a couple of rabbits and a few chases at pigeon but I need him down around 1lb. 6 1/2oz. to get him fully focussed to start with.


1lb. 7oz. overcast today with a good breeze and still warm. We went over the nearby golf club but I wasn't expecting him to do too much.

On getting to the hill, I put him up in the tree and did a few flights to the glove. I got him soaring about 100 feet up almost waiting on; I heard a rustling in the brambles beside me so I kicked about and Kier folded his wings and dropped like a stone on a mission http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif He went the other side of the brambles and hit the ground with a thud..................................I heard his bells and a scuffling in the undergrowth then a sqeal erupted from his direction. Not a weasel this time but a nice clean bright eyed wabbit http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif I made my way around to him which seemed to take an age http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif why do they always get into the most in-acceccable places?
I got to him but he had already broken into the neck and it was dead (i checked by touching the eye and got no responce except from Kier.
I let him calm down, then removed it and bagged it up. I sat with him for a little while, having a chat, then he decided to go back up into the trees.

I tried to get him to do a few fist flights but after the few mouthfuls of warm quarry he was a little reluctant to play. He hadn't even left the tree, when he started bobbing again. I couldn't see what he was looking at, so I made my way back over towards him. As I neared the tree, I saw a wabbit bolt away from me and he was off again and took another one http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif This one was much smaller and was wriggling like a snake. I had to try and get hold and neck it but Kier didn't want to share his kil this time. All I could do was put my fot on it and I was able to crush it's ribs and chest which finished it off. I let him sit but he could'nt break in so I pulled a leg of the other one and gave him that along with the liver. I got him on the fist to eat it as I didn't want him flying off back into the trees after his feed. On getting home, I cut the head off and left him with it.


Just been down to weigh him.........................1lb. 10 1/4oz. definately no feed today and no flying either......................probably not until Friday at the earliest.

[Roo]

Nice one (well, 2), shame the video camera wasn't to hand!

[Saker-Clive]

03/10/'06.

We got out on Saturday but after a good start, things turned a little sour; wo't go into it just yet but I will be keeping a close eye on him and his attitude towards certain four legged things!!!


1lb. 7 1/2oz. After all the rain and gales over the last few days, we were able to get out for a while this afternoon. He was very focussed and up for killing something but as we went around 15:00 there was not much about.

He refused the sitters out in the open along the hedge line but did put in 4 times into the thick brambles http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif (and I thought they were intelligent)
Unfortunately he didn't get anything today and he seemed quite put out by it as well. I gave him 1 whole chick and the heads, legs and wings of 3 others. Although the daytime temperature is still in the mid-high teens the nights have now dropped to below 8c.:supz:
I changed his equipment today while he sat on his bow-perch while I fitted his anklets and bells.

[Saker-Clive]

15/10/'06.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. Another glorious autumnal day with a good wind comming from the east.
I took one of the guys from work out today with his girlfreind; they've been out before but that was soon after Kier went free. We went to one of the golf courses today as there are a number of coney and the odd pheasant.
The wind was superb, and Kier made the most of it soaring about and having a great time showing off. On arrival, he was joined by about 20 corvids and they were all soaring about together for a good 5 minutes and it looked truelly spectacular. As we got onto the course, there were 3 teenage golfers on the green; they saw us looking up into the group of crows then saw me hold my glove up. One asked if I had an eagle or was I trying to call the birds down http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif I told them that I was going to get one down, then raised my right hand and he dropped down from about 150 feet, into the wind and over the top of the 3 boys. All they could do was cheer in amazement http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif

We carried on over to the hill but we didn't see a single wabbit. We walked almost to the end of the hill when 2 pheasants about 60 yards ahead of us showed themselves. Kier was on a soar paying with a crow and ignored them at first. Then he began his descent and we thought he was going for one of the phessies. He landed in a tree, then boobed his head and went down onto the game; unfortunately he didn't bind and as he hit it, it took off in the opposite direction......................................... .....as we saw the pheasants, I was able to get it on video.........................

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/?action=view&current=Kierphesant.flv

we looked for ages and tried to reflush it but it was hiding well. We began to make our way back and we saw another 2, a cock and a hen. Kier did put in oon the hen but he had no chance of getting her as he was a good 70 yards away from her as she took flight across the fairway and into the bushes on the other side. He sat up in the trees above where we last saw her go in but we didn't see her again http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif As we made our way back along the rough, Kier was up on a fly about then he went into a stoop and hit what we think was a Lark or something similar. He was 50-60 yards ahead of us then as we approached, he went up into a dead tree and ate his catch http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif He deserved it after all his flying and effort.

Both Matt and Kerrith are definate converts, and once they get a place of their own, they said they want to get a bird; they are really looking forward to seeing Zarbu soon, once I get her out of the moult.

[Saker-Clive]

26/10/'06.

Because of the horrendous weather we've had here over the last couple of weeks we haven't been out much.
Yesterday we got out for about an hour but there was no wind, so he had to work hard and after the 'rest' it showed that his fitness has dwindled some-what:goodman: , unfortunately, we didn't see a thing apart from a flock of woodies that kept on flying past him at close quarters.


1lb. 7oz. The weather today was much better; a good wind so he was able to have a good soar about but the only thing we saw today was one cock pheasant.
Kier did tail chase it but pulled up after about 100 yards. I went up and tried to find it for a re-flush but it either legged it or dug in tight.
Tomorrow is supposed to be really good so we'll have another go then. Tonights forecast is clear and back down to about 4c. hopefully this will give him a better appetite. Head, legs and wings of 4 chicks and 1 body.

[Saker-Clive]

27/10/'06.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. Another grey day but I decided that we would go out early for a change; I was going shooting but my mate had a problem and called off just before we were about to leave!!

For some reason, Kier was in a much more 'focused' frame of mind today and was ooking hard for quarry. He put in on a couple of rabbits but they managed to evade his flights. Kier was not at all impressed at his mis- fortune and decided to stay in the trees above for 15 minutes refusing to come down http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif
I walked away but he persisted in his strop!!! Then I saw a couple of pheasant scuttling through the brambles, so I ran (as best I could) towards where I saw them last and headed up above them. I called to Kier and at least he was watching me, then he flew 40 yards and perched himself in some more trees, looking intently. I managed to hear the quarry in the undergrowth and beated around until one of them took flight; Kier saw his chance and intercepted it as it was on the rise 20 yards infront of him http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif he had hold of it by the neck and it put up a good 'fight' as they both tussled on the ground. When I got to them, they was blood pumping out of the quarries neck and it was quickly fading. Kier was not letting me make in to dispatch it but I managed to get a hold and litterally push him off before necking it. I had a 'tussle' with Kier as he wanted his kill and he several times jumped up to try a get it http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif I managed to bag it up then give him a chicks body but that wasn't good enough for him. As I walked away, getting ready to return home I heard his bells. then as I began to turn, he went thud.........into the hawking bag and clung on like he was possessed http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif

I got him equipped and back on the fist then came home. I let him have his quarry once home and after 15 minutes I went in and removed it. I gave Zarbu a leg, and cut the head off and gave that back to him along with the 2 wings. I doubt he'll be flown for a few days now after eating all that but on the good side, the weather is meant to be pretty poor.

[Saker-Clive]

03/11/'06.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. We went to the same place as I took Zarbu and on arrival there was a good number of rabbits dotted about in various places. Do you think he'd go after any?.........................................did he heck as like http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif He just looked at them and made no attempt to chase or do anything towards them. http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif

On a few flights he went right over a couple that were playing and he just sat up in the trees or took an interest in the woodpeckes that kept flying by!!!!
He did get bombed twice by a Spar that was in the bushes close by but it soon left once it realised Kier wasn't bothered by him. We were out for about an hour and as non of my efforts of getting him interested at any of the rabbits I decided to come home. All he's had today is the heads, legs and wings of 3 chicks.

[Saker-Clive]

04/11/'06.

1lb. 6 3/4oz. After the cold night and our first freeze today, he was down to a much better weight http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif Snudz came over for a good part of the day, shooting very early this morning, then out with both birds this afternoon.
We went to the local golf course hoping for some quality flights but we didn't see squat until we were on our way back and getting ready to leave the course. I spotted a few pheasant on the adjoining field about 150 yards away, so we made a quick move towards them. 2 cock birds saw us approaching and hid down. As we got to about 50 yards from them, Kier decided it was time to go and headed towards them; from a few yards out, both birds took flight in opposite directions and left Kier dazed and sitting on the ground http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif

Apart from that one 'flight' at the pheasant, he was very responsive AND was looking for things all the time. I'm sure that Snudz will post up some pictures he took later on. 2 chicks in total.

[Saker-Clive]

07/11/'06.

1lb. 6 3/4oz. As time was getting on, I took him out on my own but we didn't see a thing. No rabbits or pheasants.
He was looking hard and all my efforts beating the bushes etc. all turned out in vain http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_sad.gif

He did have a good soar about and he made a few 300 yard flights, which was nice to see.

At this rate, we'll be flying more regularly over my pheasant shooting land but because of the vast amount of quarry, I feel it will make him lazy and he'll start being too choosy at his flights!!!

2 chicks today.

[Saker-Clive]

15/11/'06.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. After taking out Zarbu, I came back and got Kier; as the weather was begining to close in and it looked like rain, we went over to our old training ground on the hill. He soared beautifully today.

He wasn't interested in the rabbits again but from a 100 foot soar, as he came over the brow of the bank, 2 crows took off to 'meet him' http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif , as they left the tree, Kier spotted them and set his wings and stooped towards one hitting it making it crumple to the ground http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif, as he didn't bind to it he pulled up and circled around but the other one bombed him while the grounded one got itself together, then carried on hesitantly before heading off in the opposite direction http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif

3 older women decided to come across for a closer look but they had 6 Shitzu type 'things' with them and got a little sad as I called Kier in to the fist and held him there until they had gone. They asked why I didn't let him go, so I had to explain that as he is a hunting bird, I didn't want to chance him taking a pop at one of their little dogs, especially as they are the right size for him being rabbit sized. They soon made their retreat, then carried on watching as we moved away back down the hill into the wind for some more quality soaring. On the way down, I crashed my way through the brambles hoping to put up the few pheasants that we regularly see when out with the dogs, or possibly bolt a rabbit but noting was about. We had a good hour of strong energetic excercise and he had 2 full chicks in total, plus the legs and wings of 2 others. All the heads, legs and wings are taken off the bodies for his rewards, then either if he gets something, a body will be used as the exchange reward, or he is given them once we get home and had all his equipment taken off.

[Saker-Clive]

19/11/'06.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. My mate, his wife and their grand daughter all met up again and I put Kier up. The wind had picked up nicely so we headed over to the hill for a session of soaring and flying to the fist.

Cath and Megan loved it seeing him soar about then come in to the fist for his little tidbits; after a short while we noticed a pair of Kessie's working the bank a few hunred yards away. On one of Kiers soars, the female came hurtling over shouting at him in disgust of him being in their territory. You would have thought after 4 years, they would have got used to him by now:roll:.
He soon got his own back as the famale had caught a vole or something and Kier was on a soar about 150 feet up; as he came over the brow of the hill, the Kessie took off and we could see the prey in her talons hanging down. Kier then stooped at her but I was able to call him off by throwing a chicks head up in his path. The female headed down towards the park 1/4 of a mile away.

Kier then went and sat in the top of a tree and was soon being bombed by a lone crow; the crow hit him a few times then he made his way back over to us. The crow took Kiers place in the tree and began to taunt him by calling at him. I put him up into the wind and he quickly decided the crow was out of order and headed straight at him:rolleyes:, the crow saw him comming and 'left the building' in haste. It soon came back and started again so Kier grabbed at it but didn't get hold; this was enough for the crow and it went on its way. We carried on walking along the hill banging the bushes with Kier above us but we didn't shift a thing.
As we were getting close to finishing, the heavens opened up again so I got him back on the fist and jessed him up. Pete thanked me for the afternoon and we came home.
In general, Kier was soaring for a good 2 minutes at a time which I am finding really exciting.

[Saker-Clive]

27/11/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. A very good 20mph. westerly wind and although he hasn't dropped any weight for a week I wasn't expecting him to do a great deal but he suprised me once again.
Although his keel was sharp this weight to me is about an ouce heavy; we started off just getting him to have a good soar about, then we made our way over to the hill and kept him on the wing for as long as he would.
Whilst soaring about, he noticed 2 magpies in on of the trees and went crashing into it..................needless to say he missed but it did look pretty spectacular and the maggies soon made their escape. Not being put off by this, he went up again and carried on about 80 feet up. he was constantly watching me to see if I was going to offer him a tidbit but I began to beat around the edge of the bushes then a rabbit put out....................................Kier just folded up and went down hard.
Again his prey eluded him but he seemed more focussed now and has realised he will see more on the wing staying close; I was hoping that we'd see the pheasants but I think they've moved to a different area now.

today I was really proud of him even though we came away with nothing. 2 chicks in total.

[Saker-Clive]

29/11/'06.

1lb. 8oz. http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif as the weather is so mild he just isn't shifting any weight!!!
We went out late this afternoon and bumped into Mark Collins coming away, so we had a little chat before we carried on to the golf course.

We were out for about an hour and he did chase 1 pheasant a couple of times but he was a good 60-80 yards away when he made his chase http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif Even when he saw it land, he sat up in the trees but it was well hidden and even a guy with his young Springer (which is in training for guns) couldn't get it to shift.
At least he's flying and getting fitter but I think I'm going to have to get him over the 'pheasant land' soon. It's not really sport as there are so many but I don't think its fair him not being given the chance for some regular blood.

1 chick and the head, legs and wings of 2 others.

[Saker-Clive]

30/11/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. We went out late again this afternoon and he had a very good time playing on the wind.
We heard a cock pheasant but didn't get to see it; we headed in the direction of the sound of its calling but once we were within 50 yards, it went all quiet http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif Whilst looking for it Kier went into a stoop and ended up with a hen partridge http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif I was suprised that there were pheasants over there originally but partridge has really shocked me.
It wasn't until I got closer to him the I realised it was a red-leg and Kier was not going to let me get too close http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif Although by the time I got close to him his prey was well opened up, I couldn't make out if it was fully dead or not http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif Kier had the neck well broken into, so I just let him take his fill. The weather for the next few days is going to be gale force winds again with heavy rain so I'm not too fussed about his weight.

Even after ten minutes and having a full crop, he still wasn't happy with my getting close but I kept telling him how good he was and I was able to get him back on the glove with the carcase before he dropped it. I re-equipped him then bagged up the rest of the bird. I'm so pleased he has made this kill after all this time, so he should now stay more focussed.

[Paddy1]

wait till xmas mate :supz: :supz:

[Saker-Clive]

He'll be it tip top shape by then:supz: I think he misses not flying with others.
Last season we were out regularly with others in lots of different places........................................

[Paddy1]

He'll be it tip top shape by then:supz: I think he misses not flying with others.
Last season we were out regularly with others in lots of different places........................................




sure that can be sorted got the old man looking for permission as i type lol

[Saker-Clive]

I'm seriously contemplating getting another one next year but it might change his attitude. Flying with others is a bit different compared to sharing with one and sharing time and affection etc.:goodman:

[Paddy1]

I'm seriously contemplating getting another one next year but it might change his attitude. Flying with others is a bit different compared to sharing with one and sharing time and affection etc.:goodman:


i love going out with others much more fun but then going it alone is satisfiying also:supz:

[Saker-Clive]

04/12/'06.

1lb. 8oz. Although still a lardy, I took him out mainly to get him flying and excercise him after his gorge last week. As the weather is still extremely mild here he just doesn't seem to drop any weight.

He did struggle a little in the 'gusts' but he seemed to enjoy stooging and soaring about.
Even at this higher weight, he was very responsive and was on his way as soon as my hand reached for my right pocket. We had a short but sharp session and he flew better than I expected considering he's a good ounce over his proper hunting weight.

[Saker-Clive]

06/12/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. I was not sure whether to take him out today but the 2 dogs had made a bloody mess when I got home from taking Zarbu out, so they lost out on their afternoon walk today, and Kier went for a session.

Still very windy and gusty but lovely sunshine; he did have a few problems each time he got hit by the gusts but it made for some funny moments. We saw a number of rabbits but they were all about 100 yards from where we were; he did go over and began to work the bank, then he went into a stoop but got hit by a gust and almost folded up on the ground and the rabbit carried on until it was well in cover:(.
This happened a couple of times but he wasn't too upset and decided to go and sit up in the trees much closer hoping for a plop job to present itself:rolleyes:. As the wind was jingling his bells nothing apart from a few magpies showed itself.
I got him to fly to the fist into the wind, mainly to help muscle him up more and he coped well enough. In all we were out for just over an hour, and he did work hard for his food.
1 chick and the heads and legs of 3 others.

[Saker-Clive]

09/12/'06.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. Both Snudz and I took him over to the 'usual' place but I was not expecting the total lack of responce to quarry that he showed http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif

There was a great deal of rabbit both on the bank and out in the open............................................Ki er was not interested at all. That was until he saw them scurrying through the undergrowth; then he decided to put in http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif Even a walker came along and said that he must be well looked after as there were rabbits beneath him and he didn't show any interest until they were in hiding.

To say I was/am a little peeved by his efforts, it is really my fault as his weight is still too high. We had an un-expected frost this morning which hadn't been forecast on the coast but he hadn't lost any weight. All he has had today is the heads, legs and wings of 3 chicks only.
Tonight is going to be cold again and I am not closing him up so this should help to get him back to a better weight. Tomorrow is supposed to be much like today.............if the forecast is to be beleived!!! http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Saker-Clive]

12/12/'06.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. A good blustery day with 20mph. south westerly winds. My daughter came out with her old man this afternoon and she hasn't been out flying for quite some time now; today was the first time she saw Kier soaring in the wind and she loved it http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif

He did put in a good stoop at a crow that was 30 feet below him but it jinxed out of the way just at the last second http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_sad.gif I was shouting praise to him and he then headed for a tree with a few maggies in and 2 crows. Needles to say the crows soon moved on but the maggies stayed put but sat in tight.
Although too heavy to hunt, he does enjoy the soaring and he seems to be looking for quarry so I'm not too sure!!! I will drop him as the weather chills but a visit into the woods is on the cards very soon.

[Saker-Clive]

15/12/'06.

1lb.7 1/2oz. still!!! Because of the weather we knew there wasn't going to be any quarry about so we just had a good excercise session. It was funny, when we arrived with Zarbu, the Kessies dissappeared but as soon as Kier started soaring, they came back and started mobbing him:roll:

All we did was in and out of the trees, soaring and long recalls. a pleasant stressful hour but he did work well in the wind. I only gave him the legs, wings and heads of 2 chicks and the body of one.
I really need half an ounce off by the time Paddy1 comes down next weekend:supz:

[Saker-Clive]

16/12/'06.

1lb. 6 3/4oz http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif we had a bit of a chill last night and I think that this helped. As I said on Zarbu's post, Snudz came over and I was expecting him to perform well today.

Within five minutes of arrival, Kier simply jumped up from a post and dived into the bracken below..................................and within a few seconds there was the lovely but distressing scream of a rabbit in Kiers grip. I had to make a mad dash about 100 yards around all the brambles and bushes then I found him with one foot firmly attached to the rabbits headand the other proping himself up in the brambles. I was in the right place and easily dispatched it before lifting the two of them out. I let him sit on it for a while and he broke into it quite quickly; I let him eat a good part of the warm front thigh and neck, then I covered it over and picked him up. We then carried on but although we saw a few more in the bushes, he only made one more chase at one. We headed for the hill and he then turned his attention to the crows. he went and sat in their tree and was soon joined by a pair squawking at him. We called him back to the fist, then sent him back. As he got close, they flew out then headed back again. He watched them and bobbed at them before coming over once more. We sent him back and this time he headed straight at one of them. As he was showing such an interest, we started to head towards where they were just incase he did take one. Snudz decided he needed a leak, and he was just about to go when Kier flew over and sat in the bush a few feet above him http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif
We went back to where we started off, as the the quarry should have settled and come out again but the light was fading by now, so I paunched the rabbit and gave Kier the front leg to be getting on with.
We all had a great afternoon and in over 2 years of Snudz coming out, this was the first time he actually saw Kier take something.

1 front leg of rabbit and 1 chick.

[Snudz]

16/12/'06.

1lb. 6 3/4oz http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif we had a bit of a chill last night and I think that this helped. As I said on Zarbu's post, Snudz came over and I was expecting him to perform well today.


Well I did my best............

[Paddy1]

sounds good for over crimbo mate :supz: :supz:

[Saker-Clive]

Looking forward to it Jase:supz:, just need another 1/4oz off.

[Paddy1]

Looking forward to it Jase:supz:, just need another 1/4oz off.
so will b sorted then mate should be a good visit :supz:

[Saker-Clive]

19/12/'06.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. I was very suprised that he hadn't gone back down to a better weight especially as we had a hard unforecast frost until 10.00 this morning:confused:. I didn't even bother to lock the birds up or put the heating on.

anyway, although cold it has been a lovely sunny day today. We went back over to our usual playground and there were a number of rabbits running about in the open. Kier being Kier, he totally ignored them for nearly an hour but once he realised he wasn't getting rewards or being called back to the fist he started to show an interest again:rolleyes:. He was on one of his posts and we both watched 2 young rabbits chasing each other 8 feet away from him. After a couple of minutes he decided to put in at them. We saw both legs going for both rabbits but as expected he came up with nothing. I called him back to the fist for a little reward then sent him back. On the way over, he saw another scurrying through the brambles and made another attempt but missed again. I walked towards the bank and started to beat the bushes to push them up towards him. Then We saw a fairly big one come out but was full of mix and just stopped and panted. Kier also saw it from the top of the hill and came straight down to. It didn't even struggle but a kill is still a kill:goodman:. I let him sit and break into it and he very soon had the head off. I slipped the body away and paunched it but it really stunk:evil:. I've not had a rabbit smell that bad before, so I stuffed it down a fox hole. We came home and I gave him the rest of his feed for today, 1 chick and the bits that were left over from the session.

[Saker-Clive]

22/12/'06.

1lb. 7oz. We went out late on this afternoon as I knew the rabits would be about but when we arrived there was a couple with 8 Jack Russells stomping all over the bank http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif

They soon left when they saw us coming but the rabbits were well underground for a good while. He did put in 3 times but missed as they were all in thick cover. He did tail chase a green-woodpecker but gave up after 60 yards.
We moved away from the bank for 20 minutes and went over by the hill before returning but there was not much showing itself.
1 chick and the heads, legs and wings of 3 others.

Just waiting for Paddy1 to let me know when he's ready to play. Looking forward to getting out with 2 birds again.

[Paddy1]

22/12/'06.

1lb. 7oz. We went out late on this afternoon as I knew the rabits would be about but when we arrived there was a couple with 8 Jack Russells stomping all over the bank http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif

They soon left when they saw us coming but the rabbits were well underground for a good while. He did put in 3 times but missed as they were all in thick cover. He did tail chase a green-woodpecker but gave up after 60 yards.
We moved away from the bank for 20 minutes and went over by the hill before returning but there was not much showing itself.
1 chick and the heads, legs and wings of 3 others.

Just waiting for Paddy1 to let me know when he's ready to play. Looking forward to getting out with 2 birds again.



travelling dwn tonight mate (friday) s should be ok for sunday :supz:

[Saker-Clive]

:supz: :cool: :-P

[Paddy1]

:supz: :cool: :-P



what we hunting clive fur or feather ????

[Saker-Clive]

Both, rabbit, pheasant, possibly partridge.........................anything thats catchable:supz:

[Paddy1]

Both, rabbit, pheasant, possibly partridge.........................anything thats catchable:supz:


that will do me mate :supz: :supz:

[Saker-Clive]

We'll definately go down to my pheasant land..........................you'll be guarrenteed a brace or two, plus there are rabbits and tree rats but we don't want them; leave them for my .22:supz:

Possibly over the hill where we went on your last visit. We might even bump into Mark Collins.

[Saker-Clive]

23/12/'06.

1lb. 6 1/2oz:supz: :supz: :supz:

A rest day today, ready for our onslaught with Paddy1...................:lol:

[Saker-Clive]

24/12/'06.

1lb.7oz. A grey overcast day with little to no wind and as arranged, we met up with Paddy1, his boy, his dad and 2 freinds. We set off to my usual ground to start with and both birds got on really well.

We hadn't been there more than 10 minutes and Kier dived into the brambles after a rabbit but missed:goodman:, Kiya also saw it escape and she went into the scrub as well. Unfortunately for us, that was one very lucky rabbit. This got both birds in the mood and they were both focussed. We had a couple of put-ins but we were to be eluded of our quarry today.
We carried on up the hill and over to the golf course. Both birds had a good play, soaring about a little but we saw absolutely nothing. The birds did dive into the bushes now and again but yetagain we had nothing to show for it. We were out for about an hour and a half and I passed around my home brew:supz: which took a little tempting but afterwards, they all loved it.
We are going out again on Wednesday and this time we will be in woods so the flight styles will be different and there are so many pheasants we best come away with something.:rolleyes:

[Paddy1]

good day clive shame nothing was in the bag mate still had some good flights tho looking forward to wednesday mate :supz:

[Saker-Clive]

25/12/'06.

I've just been down to give both birds their Christmas feed, and Kier bless him got a little over excited when he saw the quail and as I was putting it through the door he caught my thumb with a talon............................................. I now have a nice laceration the length of it and I've just strapped it up.
The wife said I should have gone to the A & E but I'll see how it is later after I've had my festive feed:supz:. It is throbbing a tad:goodman: and the blood was dripping like mad.......................................

[Saker-Clive]

27/12/'06.

1lb. 8oz. too bloody heavy really but as arrangements were made we met up with Paddy1 again as well as Snudz, Bash, Glider-Paul (another forum) 2 of Paddy's m8s and my boy as 'bag-monkey':P

We headed over to my pheasant land and made our way down into the woods. We put the 2 birds up but Kier being a tad lardy didn't really want to work all that much. Kiya put in several times at pheasant and we heard a number of thuds as she hit them but today was not going to be the day for us. Kier did put in a couple of times very persistantly but that was only after voles or something. We watched as he stamped and chased what we thought at first was nothing, thenwe saw it.................:roll:

Kiya also had a chase at a couple of squirrels but luckily she missed and Paddy1 got her back on the fist. After a few hours and not a great deal of quarry, we went back to where we were on Christmas eve but by that time both birds had gotten a little dis-heartened and didn't want to do anything else.
We all had a good 4 1/2 hours walking off the festive food and drink and made arrangements to meet up on Friday to fly the Saker over my NT land.

[Saker-Clive]

01/01/2007.

1lb. 7oz. A sunny day, clear skies and a south westerly 15-20mph wind. After taking Zarbu out I knew we didn't have too long so we made our way over the usual place.

He was very much up for it this afternoon as we had'nt been out for a few days now. We bumped into the women we saw the other week, with her dogs, so today we decided to let all of them 'play' together. Kier was watching the dogs going through the brambles but soon lost interest when he saw a rabbit away from where they were; he went down hard and he did have it as it began to squeal but by the time I got to where he was, it managed to wriggle free:evil:; Kier was not too happy either and both his orbital ridges above his eyes were bleeding:roll:. I managed to cradle him in my arm and then put some anti bacterial powder on them but he soon went crashing into cover again.
On his third attempt we managed to come away with one rabbit but his eyes are not looking too pretty. I let him sit on his quarry and he had a crop full before I got him off and re powdered his eyes. I decided that enough was enough so we came home but he is being teathered for a while now as I don't want him crashing about in the enclosure.
I'll check his eyes again soon and will probably put some more powder on them before locking him up for the night.

[Snudz]

Here's a couple of the boy dreaming of catching the black stuff!!!

[Saker-Clive]

I don't think he'll manage that black stuff:rolleyes:

[Saker-Clive]

10/01/'07.

1lb. 7oz. After a dull wet and blustery morning, this afternoon turned out sunny but still windy. I took my little camera today and the pictures will tell their own story http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif (just hope they come out in the right sequence.) http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif

I was taking some shots of him soaring about etc. then decided to move lower down the hill so I could get some of him coming into the glove but it didn't turn out how I was planning. I got about 60 yards away, then called him in; I got the camera ready and began taking shots...........then he vered away and went down onto the ground.......................................

Don't know what it was but it seemed smaller than a blackbird, possibly a Lark!!!

[Saker-Clive]

..........................

[Afshimo]

love his bay wings - looks like a rich mahogany lol. Good pics!

Han

[Saker-Clive]

:-P , probably the light:rolleyes:

I like the way the light makes the tips almost glow....................

[Saker-Clive]

15/01/'07.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. A tad heavier than I was hoping but we're just not getting the chill at night.

We managed to get out for about 40 minutes but there had been a lot of dogs for some reason; we saw about 15 dogs heading away with the 'dog-walkers' as we arrived so there was not much chance of any rabbits. http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif
He was looking more for feathered quarry today but as the weather was closing in and getting darker there wasn't too much about. As always with him, it's stress free hawking but I just wished we'd seen a few bunnies today.
The weather is getting worse again for the coming week http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_twisted.gif 2 chicks in total.

[Saker-Clive]

20/01/'07.

1lb. 8 1/2oz. he just will not lose any bloody weight!! I took him out for an airing and to try and get a bit of weight off. It's still a little gusty at times but he was OK in the little he did today.
I've been contemplating putting him down to moult but the weather is on the turn and the temperature is 'supposed to be dropping pretty quick over the next day or two. 13c. today but it's been forecast to get down to about 5c. from tomorrow.

As long as it stays dry I don't care. 2 chicks only today.

[Saker-Clive]

23/01/'07.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. compared to recent temperatures, over night and today has been ruddy cold.
As both bob and Zarbu are too heavy to work today, I've had a good session with 'old faithful'.

The wind chill made the 2.5c. much colder so he worked better at the higher than normal weight. The sunshine made it better but there wan't too much about. He put in on 2 rabbits but having to fly 70 yards towards them I wasn't expecting him to catch them. He sat up in the trees and waited to see if they would show them selves but I was getting too cold so I kept moving. He chased another woodpecker but to no avail http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif He had a good look around where he had the bird last week.
He did a lot of long flights which is always nice to see, then he went crashing into the brambles but came out with nothing apart from knocking his eye ridges again http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif
Tonight we have snow showers forecast and again for the rest of the week http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif ........we'll see............

[Sean]

snow, you should be celebrating mate! wish we had some of the white stuff. all on higher ground at the moment

[Saker-Clive]

snow, you should be celebrating mate! wish we had some of the white stuff. all on higher ground at the moment


If it happens, I will be but we either get rain or nothing:rolleyes:

[Saker-Clive]

24/01/'07.

1lb. 7 1/40z. much better; well we had a light sprinkling of the white stuff and the forecast has said we are in for a heavy downfall tonight and tomorrow.......................................... ........a couple of centimetres:roll:.

As Bob was a no go today, we came back and got Kier. There was no quarry when we ran the dogs earlier but plenty of tracks:D. we started off and he had a good soar to start the session. A lot of crows got up and began to follow on letting us know their displeasure of our presence. He suprised us again today and chased .........albeit half heartedly a couple of woodpigeon.
We walked about 3 miles in total and he just flew in and out of the trees and bushes looking all the time. He put in an excellent flight on another woodpecker which he had no hope in catching but it was a power flight which always is good to see. When he came back, and sat on the fist he had 'steam' coming off him. He worked really well and if things go right tomorrow, we'll go down to my pheasant land before the season finishes next week.

Heads, legs and wings of 4 chicks, and the breast bone with a cuple of ounces of meat from a pheasant.

[Saker-Clive]

26/01/'07.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. Roo came down for the afternoon so after taking out the 2 falcons, we took Kier out over the golf course.We got there about 14:30 and was hoping/expecting for some quarry but for some reason we didn't see squat:evil:.

Whilst out with Zarbu, we saw a number of rabbits but on the other side of the hill there was ****** all!! He flew well and responsive, and made several long flights back to us as he stayed in the trees while we carried on.
Roo naturally took a number of pics. so I'm sure some will be posted up later tonight or tomorrow.:supz: I was a pleasant hour and a half just a real shame we didn't see anything.

[Roo]

Showing off some low flying...
http://www.flowtography.co.uk/a/albums/userpics/10004/1111111__D200126.JPG

http://www.flowtography.co.uk/a/albums/userpics/10004/1111111__D200165.JPG

[Saker-Clive]

:supz: love the colour and clarity of the first one........................how did the others come out?

[Saker-Clive]

27/01/'07.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. A glorious afternoon, so I took him to where we usually get the rabbits. We saw about a dozen in all and a few very little ones!
Although we came away with nothing today, he got more and more intense as the afternoon went on.

He put in a couple of times early on but with the ones that were in the more open areas he wasn't bothered with but he prefered to crash through the brambles http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif He did manage to get hold of one which somehow made its escape. When I got to him he had on foot full of fur and his talons were red with blood http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_exclaim.gif
I managed to take a few pics. with my little camera but most were not too clever as he was either blurred or half out of shot http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_redface.gif
I keep telling myself to put the settings on 'sport mode' but I always forget.

(looks like we can't upload pics yet; I'll try later on)

[Saker-Clive]

I'll try from another source................

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Kier/K2.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Kier/K1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/Kier/K3.jpg

[Leo 1]

nice pic's m8:supz:

[Saker-Clive]

I've rested him this week as his orbital ridge got a little messed up again. :roll:.
Although he's not too happy being tethered all the time, he has twice this week, either through boredom or just to prove he can do it; he has untied his leash, pulled it out of the swivel and left it at the side of his perch:goodman: . The funny thing is, he was still on the bow giving me that head turned half upside down look and chirping at me:supz:.


Here are a few from Roo's last session.............................

[Saker-Clive]

05/02/'07.

1lb. 7 3/4oz. I left it late to take him out so we left home about 14:30. I didn't re-weigh him so not too sure what he was at that time. The temp. was about 5c. but no wind.

We started off down the lower end of the hill at the end of the park. From there, we went up and along the hill to the top end of where we usually fly. We covered about 3 miles in all but the reason for today was to get his weight down. I want him down to 1lb. 7oz. for a field meet in 2 weeks but I don't want him too keen, as he begins to get a little 'food aggressive'.

The majority of all the bracken and brambles have been cleared so the the rabbits stayed well underground:roll:. In the end I was getting him to just come and go 100 yards at a time. If he hasn't dropped anything thing by tomorrow, I'll be really upset. Down to freezing tonight and all he's he today was the heads, legs and wings of 4 chicks.

[Saker-Clive]

06/02/'07.

1lb. 7 1/2oz. We went over the golf course around 15:00 and they have cut all their cover right back!! Kier wa flying long distances so his fitness isn't as 'off' as I had thought http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif
Once we got to the hill, I heard a cock pheasant, sods law, everytime we went looking for them over there we didn't see or hear them, now out of season, they come out to play http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif

We carried on along the busshes then Kier went on a mission across the fairway and 200 yards; as he was going down and a few feet off the ground, a big very dark cock bird broke cover. Kuer had lost momentum and pulled up. We both watched in glide towards me then it turned away and went down into the pine trees 60 yards from me. i called to him and he was powering his way back but before he got to me he went up and soared around before stooping again...........................he went down hard and the 'long-tail' called then feathers went everywhere. I froze for a second just watching but thankfully http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif it got free and made it to cover. Kier was a little stunned at what had happened then flew up in the tree's above where his prey went in. I made my way over but it was either gone or well hidden.
I enticed him back down with a head, and I carried on up the hill in the opposite direction. There were plenty of pigeons but not one rabbit. I'm wondering if they've been gassed http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_evil.gif I'll have to have a word.
Whilst up in a tree, a couple of finches went in and made a song and dance at his presance. He dropped to the ground but he must have missed as he came back to the fist. We made our way back towards the car then I got him dressed. I put him on his bow then gave him the rest of his food. 1 chick plus the legs, heads and wings of 3 others.

[Saker-Clive]

07/02/'07.

1lb. 7 1/4oz. We went out after flying the falcons and he flew really well considering he was hounded by 8 or 9 crows for the most of our time out today.
One did hit him then he decided enough was enough; he flew off the post followed by the crows, he then pulled up and cartwheeled back then headed straight into them http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif As they all split he followed one back towards the post and it was about to land when Kier flew virtually into it pushing it off and out of the way.
now his weight is slowly coming down, he is getting more focussed and is chasing just about everything from Robins http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif to pheasant http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif
He was flying from one side of the field to the other and then he went from the glove, straight across the field on a mission but all I could see was 2 magpies in a tree, then he hit a bush hard and I could make out he was stamping and footing something...........................I ran across to where he was and he had a blooming rabbit 4 feet up in the bush http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif Then I realised someone's dog must have killed it and it was thrown into the bush.

I was very suprised how easily he came off it; I offered him a head and he jumped off with no hassles or anything. With that, I jessed him up and we came home.
1 quail head and the wings, 2 chicks and the heads etc. of 3 others.

[Saker-Clive]

04/03/'07.

Well I've decided to put him down to moult today; I haven't posted up much in the diary for a while as he's basically been doing the same thing but he's also been 'searching out. the young rabbits http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif
The weather recently also hasn't been too kind; one day it's glorious sunshine, then the next few it's lashing down:(

I personally don't enjoy seeing them being taken and I don't want Kier getting too lazy. He's had a good season and although 6 weeks earlier than usual, I think it's fair to let him rest and gorge, ready for next season. http://www.falconryquestions.co.uk/images/smiles/icon_mrgreen.gif

[Saker-Clive]

A quick update on Kier; only been out about 5 times this season so far as he seemed a little slow in the moult................................the last 10 days we've only been trying for fitness and getting a routine back again. Video clip taken on mobile after I dispatched it.

18/09/'07.

1lb. 7oz. I decided to take him out late agin this evening and have only been home about 40 minutes. We went to our usual place mainly to do a bit of fitness training; he was very eager today, as soon as my hand went into my pocket he was poised ready to come and a number of times he came regardless but I showed him my empty hands and he had a little fly about before heading for the tree tops.

After about half an hour, the light was begining to fade and Kier was coming over the top of the bank on his way over to me but a rabbit bolted up the top part and Kier litterally back flipped and nailed his first kill of the season. I watched as both Kier and the rabbit had a little tussle and Kier took a slight kick near his right eye so I gave that a good bathe with F10 once we got home. I had to fight my way up through the brambles and when I got to them, Kier had the rabbit by the head and neck. This made it very easy for me to finish the job and I let him have a crop full of the warm flesh.
I've got a little piece on the mobile but having troubles connecting up with the pc!!! After getting home, I paunched the kill and gave him the still hot liver and kidneys as well as a whole chick. I don't think we'll be flying tomorrow but he did good tonight
Heads, legs and wings of 5 chicks, 1 whole chick and a good crop of rabbit neck.


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/th_Kier1stoftheseason.jpg (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/Saker-clive/?action=view&current=Kier1stoftheseason.flv)