Varmint's hawking diary

[Varmint]

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[Kornie]

I will be watching varmint. I have a 4 yr old rhodesian ridgeback. I took the fat thing out one day and she flushed out 2 rabbits in about 3 minutes. Problem is the dog and me harris were competing with one another belting it out along a flat straight. probably wont do that again.lol

[North East Harris Hawker]

i;ll be keeping an eye on this thread too, looks like you have the perfect set up, birds,dogs and land!

[Shaun Byrne]

Nice reading Varmint, have you ever considered writing a book? LOL!!

Seriously though, keep it coming, a few name changes and I'll be publishing a book of my own LOL!!

[Hoodwink]

Great stuff Varmint, i dont yet and never have owned a BOP but im in the background reading everything that comes along, I look forward to reading your dairy.

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Another excellent chapter!

[Varmint]

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[North East Harris Hawker]

great pic of the harris 8)

[Darren]

Varmint....some good words of advice & good pics as well

Daz

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Still reading mate and I bet I'm not the only one!!

[Varmint]

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[Darren]

sounds like ur busy up there with all your birds & guests. enjoing reading your diary

[Isaac]

I'm paying attention too. Great stuff. Thanks!

[Shaun Byrne]

Varmint, where are you? I need another installment lol!!

[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Nice, lucky old Spencer!!!

[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Go get em mate!!
How you doing with Spencer, started any serious training yet to combat the chasing instinct?

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Sorry to here that mate, its sadly unavoidable sometimes, I've got a FHH sat in the downstairs wetroom, on antibiotics as we speak. She only got 1 bite on her leg, its still red hot after a week.

[Darren]

Hope both ur birds recover ASAP

[Varmint]

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[Hawkmaster]

Varmint, do you accept Paypal?

[Shaun Byrne]

Do you run your own apprenticeship scheme Varmint, if so how is it structured, duration etc. Are they flying birds from your stock?

[Varmint]

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[Darren]

Adrian it sounds a very good apprentice Program your running...i paid a few hundred £'s for a 3 day course & to be truthful I have learnt more from the people I have meet on here.

[Shaun Byrne]

Varmint, hows the trio doing? squirrel bites ok? Spencer had his end away yet?

[Gaz]

I decided a long time ago that i wouldn't be responsible for sending all of these people out there to get a bird

FAIR PLAY TO YOU DUDE..Respect that.

[Varmint]

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[Kornie]

varmint are you the bloke at south gyle?

Very good idea with the apprenticeship scheme. Makes a whole lot of sense, infinately better then "1 week courses" In which my experiance have found to be appauling.

[Varmint]

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[Kornie]

I dont think so, I just knew of someone quite a way back who used to promote falconry with a bald eagle.

[Varmint]

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[Darren]

good picture there

[Shaun Byrne]

Like my signature says "priceless"

[Hawkmaster]

Wow! How do you get such a great in focus shot?

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Darren]

the kites are great to watch with their air acrobatics.

sounds like you had a good day hunting....good show for the clients

[Afshimo]

Hiya,

sry its a bit off topic, but does anyone fly red kites? they look handsome birds? and can you buy them for falconry? how much?
Sounds like you had a good day out Varmint, so jealouse cus i cant do anything!!! Bird in moult. How many birds you got up there?

[Afshimo]

That merlin pic you did is great, compared it to the female we got - looks so life-like lol.

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[BrianM]

varmint wrote.. i got too many birds a problem i plan to rectify shortly................. MMMMMMM do tell varmint

[BrianM]

hannah there are black kites for sale on ginos site for £800

[Shaun Byrne]

Varmint, what a dull and dreary life you lead, no wonder you need this site for a bit of excitement.................NOT lol!!

[Afshimo]

Hmm. What are kites like to train? £800 sounds ok for black kites lol. What the price for a red kite? I got a red kite mouse mat, from the place in Wales? or some place like that lol.

Wish I had a few more birds to fly, well, when one's in moult, another one to fly and alternate. I'm getting fed up as I havnt been down the centre for a while (withdrawl symptoms lol) and I miss handling the birds (boo hoo) What do other peeps do when their bird's in moult??

Hannah

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Well done Bethan, tell your dad its about time he retired NOW, it sounds like your doing a better job already! lol!!

Keep it up!

Shaun

[Shaun Byrne]

I did an experience day with a group of 4 last year. It was a full hands on hunting day, mainly on rabbit. Out of the group of 4 (2 couples) one couple were anti hunting and had obviously not read the leaflet as it explained in great detail. They were not going to attempt to kill anything and spent the day around the centre, I must say they were very nice about it, not the militant type and had a great day. The lady from the other couple had the same phobia as Pat, couldn't stand flapping, tallons & sharp beaks fine but not those dangerous primaries lol!! So it ended up with me and her husband having a great days hunting with her following 30 yards behind clicking away with her camera.

[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Would have but she was **** scared of them as well!!

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Nice pics Varmint, it looks freezing! Chick looks like he's ready to give someone a Glasgow Kiss lol!! I Knew I'd met Sprout somewhere before!

[Varmint]

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[Bones]

How dare he use me nickname varmint :lol: :wink:

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Bod]

Have a good un Adrian.
Try not to get up a 4am!!!

Regards Bod

[Darren]

hope you have a good time Adrian...are you PADI or BASC qualified. I havent dived since the divorce 4 yrs ago cause i sold everything i had. Iam PADI qualified

[Varmint]

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[Malcolm Edgar]

Just landed on this thread - great reading - your daughter should be getting a share of the profits not measly pocket money :lol: :lol:
malcolm

[Gaz]

Never knew you could get THAT kind of infection in the ear from diving for muff :!:

[Varmint]

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[Bubo]

finally i have had some peace and quiet and got to read the whole thread!! it is a great read varmint and your daughter is definately a natural not only with birds but in communication!!
sorry to hear about the ear infection tho, they are ******s.
bubo

[Varmint]

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[Hawkmaster]

That is really wonderful and a great inspiration to all, WELL DONE EVERYONE!

Ade, like those boxes?

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Darren]

Adrian how do you get sperm of the males of AI.....do they ejeculate on you? or a dummy bird?

Daz

[Shaun Byrne]

Darren you say the nicest things! lmao!!

[Miguel Gomez]

Darren, i use two methods, most males jump on my head, and i wear a silicone rubber hat and collect the donations from that (only a tear drop of seamen) and another bird i have coppulates on my knee (over which i wear a pad)

The Seamen is collected and exstended with a solution and then chilled slowly, i generally try to use it within 24 hrs if i can as it starts to die the moment out of the host.

[Bill]

I must say that i was a bit dissapointed at the response to Sundays little adventure? Brown Hare with a 1lb 6 oz m HH?

Just read it Adrian, I expect at least as good a show this weekend. Well done.

Weather forecast looks reasonable for the weekend so far - 10mph wind but dry.

[Bubo]

I must say that i was a bit dissapointed at the response to Sundays little adventure? Brown Hare with a 1lb 6 oz m HH?

You lot must do that every day? :wink:

oooh no dont be disappointed, i have only just got round to reading this post so others may be the same. It was a fantastic read and all i can say is it's just amazing.

It's gonna be a while till i get to my first hunting experience and i'm drooling at every detail (specially you trailing up them mountains).
And before i get any funny comment i dont plan on hunting with kadabs :wink:

look forward to reading more.

[Varmint]

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[Bubo]

we all have those moments (i have them everyday with my biddy barny). He may be only a little titchy owl to some but to me he is the world :D
bubo

[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Varmint, I think the response was a bit low key due to all the trouble with the forum layout. Now the pic is back up we can really see what an amazing bit of work the little bird did. I dont think I've heard of many males (if any) that have taken a Hare of that size AND managed to hang on. Well done to the whole team!

[Bod]

I'd agree with that H4WKA.
Can't believe such a small bod would have the balls to take on something that big.
Must be like me granny taking on the England back row and scoring a try :lol:

[Varmint]

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[Bod]

What you feeding him on Adrian? STEROIDS?

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Do the creche reared vocalize less after the first moult?

[Varmint]

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[Snudz]

Hey Adrian,

You sure you didn't breed any Perlin into that Harris of yours?? Definate Loco tendencies................. :twisted: :twisted:

Keep it coming

Andy

[Varmint]

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[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

Ever had any accidents Varmint? My mates FHH nailed his best jill on the last flight of the last day of the 2003 season. She never showed any aggression before that and is now a real pain with the ferrets.

[Varmint]

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[Bod]

Never had to employ anyone myself, but I can understand your frustration. Only wish I was 20 again cause I would be up there like a shot mate.
Hardwork doesn't kill you, more people die in bed if you know what I mean.

[Jester]

Hardwork doesn't kill you


yeah but how many people have you heard resting to death :lol:

if i knew enough about ferrets, dogs, falcons,hawks ............ oh sod it anything to do with falconry , and i lived closer i would be up for a job. would rather spend 80 hours a week doing something i enjoyed and interests me than spending 80 hours a week doing a job i dont like so my boss can keep driving his DB7

[Shaun Byrne]

I know exactly where you are coming from Adrian. All the months I've spent at the centre (and having a full time day job) have been spent building aviaries, fencing, painting, cleaning, repairing and in between all this we might get an hour to kite a few falcons.
Its hard work, we start in the dark and finish in the dark, even during summer but I love it and always go home with a smile on my face.
Like many I'm trapped by the cost of living and at the moment couldn't afford to give up work full time without a drastic change in circumstances but hopefully one day soon I can go full time.
Keep at it mate, doing what you love and earning a living at it, no matter how hard the work is, is a rare thing these days.

[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

You dont know how lucky you are mate!! lol!!

[Leeds Newby]

good luck with the meet lads !! and get loads of pics

[Hawkmaster]

Thanks Ade, I am excited for you lot out there! Good Luck everyone!

[ChicM]

For the record guys - I did not wear the jacket today. It's called style Adrian - you wouldn't understand...

[Varmint]

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[ChicM]

Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble...er...Chic!

[Varmint]

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[Bubo]

a jolly good read varmint
bubo

[Varmint]

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[Shaun Byrne]

****, what can anyone say.........RIP Preston!

[Bod]

Sorry to hear about Preston.
I think your last post was from the heart mate. Not bigging you up Adrian but having seen you and your team in action you are one very passionate falconer who has had many years (31 I believe)of trials and tribulations under your belt.
If it wasn't for the likes of you, people like me, an absolute beginner would struggle (books aren't enough) and no doubt I will make the same mistakes and tread the same paths as you did, but at least on this forum there are people who can and will help.
Hope the flu gets better mate and have wee dram for me.

[Jester]

yeah what bod says :( sorry to hear about Preston




even though you said you werent too keen on owls and preferred the mind of a bird i still picked up some useful advice at the meet so thanks for that :prayer:

[Kumben]

shattering, you all must be gutted. I've emailed those 2 guys, they are both experienced youngsters, but as I say live far away, overseas in fact, but are very very keen. I have told them basic ins and outs. Should email you if they are interested. Kumben

[Varmint]

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[Bubo]

I'm really sorry to hear about preston. It is gutting when this happens. Chin up mate, and take care of yourself.
bubo

[ChicM]

Absent friends mate...absent friends.

See you soon.

Chic

[Afshimo]

Sorry to hear about Preston Varmint.

Hope u get better soon 2, and write more good stories for us to learn off!

[Kevin Massey]

adrian we are all sorry to read about preston............

kevin and family

[Debbie]

Adrian, so sorry to hear about Preston.

Debbs x

[Darren]

Sorry to about of the Preston....RIP

[IAmTheWeasel]

Adrian, Sorry for your loss. Don't dwell on it though mate.....Get yourself back in the game with a new bird and remember that Preston was well looked after through his life and you did what you could do.