Gyr/Saker Falcon

[Shaun]

Ive flown harrises, spars, and an for half a season an imprint female gos.......

so with nearly 20 years experience under my belt I decided to have a go at longwings for the first time.

i have recently acquired a 3/4 gyr/saker on Thursday the 14th. weighing at 2lb15oz(fat) Its a stunning looking bird but its absolutely mental as its a totally wild at this stage. Luckily Im very patient when it comes to manning and I do not expect too much too soon. I am hoping to fly it mainly on corvids and gulls as they are so widely available in my local area with the added bonuses of mallards in my local area.

as i am relatively new to this side of falconry, I would be grateful of any advice you experienced falconers have to offer to help me fly this bird at its full potential and give it the flying it so richly deserves.

some fantastic pictures follow from my good friend spikeysnapper not that he knows it yet!!!lol(no rest for the wicked. Ian...just when you thought you had some peace and quiet)

Shaun

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Im pleased you like the falcon mate, and Im looking forward to the pictures, please keep us updated on your progress.

Good luck :supz:

[Shaun]

Fed Of The Fist 16 Th 2lb 12

[young falconer]

pleased for ya m8 well sounds like a cracking bird
:supz::supz::supz:

[ScottBrady]

Im sure if you put the same amount of time an effort as you do with your other birds mate you'll have a fantastic bird.

:supz:

[Spikeysnapper]

Great news :grin: Let me know when its OK to come down and take some pictures.

Cheers
Ian

[Shaun]

Update of what's going on with the Gyr/Sake

The fun is about to start!! She fed off the fist for the first time last night and has started to pay attention to her surroundings today - the baiting will start next I'm sure?! Not looking forward to the biting but all the same excited at the prospect of seeing improvements everyday now.
Up until last night she played the stuffed bird part very well! But now she is having a rouse, scratching herself and doing a bit of feather cleaning - what have I let myself in for ! lol

Shaun

[ScottBrady]

gorgeous looking bird matey.

how is she on the fist now?

[Shaun]

gorgeous looking bird matey.

how is she on the fist now?

Getting there mate .

[Remington]

HMMMMM shes a looker, You should target about 2lb 8 oz if her top weight is 2lb 15 oz. Hybrids take very little fitness work especially when they got Gyr in them. What is your intended quarry?

[AndyP]

I'm looking at getting a Gyr/Saker male (imprint) very soon in fact whenever I find one (anyone out there not after any special colours just normal). Your's looks stunning I don't like to far away from you either fancy meeting up?

[Shaun]

HMMMMM shes a looker, You should target about 2lb 8 oz if her top weight is 2lb 15 oz. Hybrids take very little fitness work especially when they got Gyr in them. What is your intended quarry?

The black stuff and gulls mate

[Shaun]

I'm looking at getting a Gyr/Saker male (imprint) very soon in fact whenever I find one (anyone out there not after any special colours just normal). Your's looks stunning I don't like to far away from you either fancy meeting up?

Have to meet up some time mate . will PM MY NUMBER TO YOU

[Kirowan]

nice 3/4 bird these males also good at game mate get high really quick.have fun got him in time for the spring rook hawking

[Shaun]

Yes mate going to have lots of fun i hope

[Gyr69]

Very nice bird Shaun just you wait until its flying free and smashing the black stuff:supz:

[Shaun]

Very nice bird Shaun just you wait until its flying free and smashing the black stuff:supz:

not to long i hope

[Gyr69]

not to long i hope

Good:D

Mine was the same as yours Shaun as mad as a hatter straight out the pen and onto my glove.Trying to bite lumps out of me even with her hood on:lol: I spent hours manning the bird and it all payed off in the end.

[Shaun]

one are two alteration's going on not finished yet

[Pendleside]

looking good shaun .
the conversion looks 100% as well .:supz:

[Gyr69]

one are two alteration's going on not finished yet

Shaun I could do with one of those and a large compartment at the end to put my mrs in:lol::yawinkle:

[CJTaylor]

one are two alteration's going on not finished yetIf that shelf perch is rock,id be very carefull mate, if the bird is spending much time on it it could quite easily cause you foot probs, ud be far better swapping it for astroturf...colin

[ScottBrady]

Whys that colin?

dont longwings spend most of there time on rock ledges on the top of cliffs and buildings? I could be wrong?

Lookin good Shaun nice to see it bit of thought.:supz::supz:

[CJTaylor]

Whys that colin?

dont longwings spend most of there time on rock ledges on the top of cliffs and buildings? I could be wrong?

Lookin good Shaun nice to see it bit of thought.:supz::supz:
Thats correct scott but they are not a) tied to the same perch constantly b) under less stress C) they are free to move about to diff parts of the building or ledge,D) wild falcons dont constanly jump up and down on the same ledge,or bait.( common sense aint common) a falcon blocked or tied to a shelf can either bait, up and of the perch many times in a day, or can be spooked by any number of things, constantly landing on the same peice of rock,impacts on the feet and can cause major problems for birds that spend many hours sat in the same position, that is why all experienced longwingers use astroturf, or similar that allows a coushion and takes up pressure when landing much like a shock absorber. i aint trying to be clever mate im trying to give good advice to some one who may need it, just wondered scott by any chance do you fly a harris.!!...colin

[ScottBrady]

Thats correct scott but they are not a) tied to the same perch constantly b) under less stress C) they are free to move about to diff parts of the building or ledge,D) wild falcons dont constanly jump up and down on the same ledge,or bait.( common sense aint common) a falcon blocked or tied to a shelf can either bait, up and of the perch many times in a day, or can be spooked by any number of things, constantly landing on the same peice of rock,impacts on the feet and can cause major problems for birds that spend many hours sat in the same position, that is why all experienced longwingers use astroturf, or similar that allows a coushion and takes up pressure when landing much like a shock absorber. i aint trying to be clever mate im trying to give good advice to some one who may need it, just wondered scott by any chance do you fly a harris.!!...colin

Colin,

that was a genuine question!!!!???? and was not intended to be a smart. So i don't appreciate talking to me like I am a complete idiot.....????

yes your correct i do fly a harris and Im proud to admit I love every minute of it.........

Its a shame that when you were learning to fly a longwing that you didn't learn to spell at the same time. Mr smart ****.:twisted:

Scott

[CJTaylor]

Colin,

that was a genuine question!!!!???? and was not intended to be a smart. So i don't appreciate talking to me like I am a complete idiot.....????

yes your correct i do fly a harris and Im proud to admit I love every minute of it.........

Its a shame that when you were learning to fly a longwing that you didn't learn to spell at the same time. Mr smart ****.:twisted:

ScottThe question marks after each question suggest other wise smart a--- and i was trying to help someone else with some advice he may have found usefull, not all lads and obviously i include myself in that have your mastery of e the english language....?? you vocation as an elec tech is wasted, shouldnt you be teaching! so is any of what i suggested regarding the reason for astroturf and why in the wild its completely different ,made sense to yourself!

[ScottBrady]

The question marks after each question suggest other wise smart a--- and i was trying to help someone else with some advice he may have found usefull, not all lads and obviously i include myself in that have your mastery of e the english language....?? you vocation as an elec tech is wasted, shouldnt you be teaching! so is any of what i suggested regarding the reason for astroturf and why in the wild its completely different ,made sense to yourself!

Colin,

i'm glad you think so. I too think im a wasted talent......

The question mark after each statement implies im asking a question not sarcasm!

I will be the first to admit I know very little about flying longwings, that is why I asked the question. And I never questioned your personal knowledge and experience of the subject like Im some falconry expert because im not......

when you explained I actually thought you had a fair point and I could see how repeated bating on rock could damage the bird. However I find your comment about harris hawks very patronizing, implying that all people that fly them are are thick? which is very disrespectful to both the birds and some of the great falconers that fly them.

Im sure Shaun would not appreciate us diverting the thread with this pathetic and pointless argument.

Scott 'smart ****'

[CJTaylor]

Colin,

i'm glad you think so. I too think im a wasted talent......

The question mark after each statement implies im asking a question not sarcasm!

I will be the first to admit I know very little about flying longwings, that is why I asked the question. And I never questioned your personal knowledge and experience of the subject like Im some falconry expert because im not......

when you explained I actually thought you had a fair point and I could see how repeated bating on rock could damage the bird. However I find your comment about harris hawks very patronizing, implying that all people that fly them are are thick? which is very disrespectful to both the birds and some of the great falconers that fly them.

Im sure Shaun would not appreciate us diverting the thread with this pathetic and pointless argument.

Scott 'smart ****'Last on the subject Scott, never anywhere ive i said/implied that harris flyers are thick! some very bright experienced lads fly them, but also nearly all newcomers and inexperienced guys fly them! which is why i questioned you!, if you where indeed not trying to be sarcastic, then consider my **** kicked...

[Toro]

Hi, iam only trying to enrich the conversation and let you know about some of the Arab falconer especially big mew owners who falconers use to molt their birds in their facility, iam not taking sides or saying it’s the right way but a lot down here in the gulf feel rocks as blocks and bare sands will prevent foot probs as in these pics:

http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/b7G03926.jpg (http://www.moq3.com/img/)


http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/jpz04011.jpg (http://www.moq3.com/img/)





and in this pics , some go with colin arugment useing astroturf :


http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/o4u04128.jpg (http://www.moq3.com/img/)


toro>>>>>>>

[CJTaylor]

Hi, iam only trying to enrich the conversation and let you know about some of the Arab falconer especially big mew owners who falconers use to molt their birds in their facility, iam not taking sides or saying it’s the right way but a lot down here in the gulf feel rocks as blocks and bare sands will prevent foot probs as in these pics:

http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/b7G03926.jpg (http://www.moq3.com/img/)


http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/jpz04011.jpg (http://www.moq3.com/img/)





and in this pics , some go with colin arugment useing astroturf :


http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/o4u04128.jpg (http://www.moq3.com/img/)


toro>>>>>>>Great pics Toro, excellent set up, the birds though are both enclosed and if im seeing correct,not tied down, or are they! whichever it looks like a total stress free enviroment..colin

[Toro]

Hi Colin,

Hopefully they are stress free but actually they are tied down to the sand floor so they can walk about freely on the sand ,,,,,toro

[CJTaylor]

Hi Colin,

Hopefully they are stress free but actually they are tied down to the sand floor so they can walk about freely on the sand ,,,,,toroVery interesting indeed mate,they dont look as if they are likely to bate up and of the rock..thanks for sharing..colin

[Toro]

colin, check this one out

http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/GoH29146.bmp (http://www.moq3.com/img/)

http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/YDW29223.bmp (http://www.moq3.com/img/)


http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/de329287.bmp (http://www.moq3.com/img/)


and last , this is Really really stress free set up:



http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/fmw29412.bmp (http://www.moq3.com/img/)



toro>>>>>>>>>

[CJTaylor]

colin, check this one out

http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/GoH29146.bmp (http://www.moq3.com/img/)

http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/YDW29223.bmp (http://www.moq3.com/img/)


http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/de329287.bmp (http://www.moq3.com/img/)


and last , this is Really really stress free set up:



http://www.moq3.com/img/17012008/fmw29412.bmp (http://www.moq3.com/img/)



toro>>>>>>>>>Hells delight mate that is unreal,:: what a set up, where on earth do you get the pictures from...colin

[NICKYC]

hi shaun, done loads of crow hawking around prestatyn and dyserth area, with great success, my mates still do it around there, i moved away and no longer fly crow busters, my mate timmy still flies his g/p in your area, give him a shout , get out there with him. i used to fly a 3/4 gyr saker male , best bird i have ever flown. good luck mate.

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

This thread is a great example of how easy it is to misunderstand each other over the Internet, we cant see each others facial expressions or body languish so its hard to communicate.

I also thought the harris comment was a bit "rude" but put in context with the rest of the post I realized it was not meant to be at all.

The truth is that hh is quite easy to manage compared to falcons as they seem much more resistant against bacteria and all around a "tougher" bird, so its not totally unusual that hh owner who progress to a different bird will soon have some health problems with the new bird.

I think the posts should be taken as they were intended, as sound, good and helpful advice.

I would never recommend you to keep a falcon tied to a rock or stone, i have seen this before and also seen the result; bumble foot.

I have also seen a huge amount of falcons with severe bumble foot in the gulf, kept on sand or not.
Astroturf is without a doubt the best as long as you keep it clean.

Good luck

[Shaun]

I think i will put some Astroturf on them sara .
bird feeding on the hand well 2lb9oz

[Gyr69]

Shaun it looks a little more steady from the last time I saw it:wink:

[Shaun]

Shaun it looks a little more steady from the last time I saw it:wink:

Yes Ian getting there slowly

[Gyr69]

Yes Ian getting there slowly

Had mine flying free within three weeks of getting her and she was as bad if not worse than yours.It will be a different bird this time next week;)

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

who bred it?

[ScottBrady]

This thread is a great example of how easy it is to misunderstand each other over the Internet, we cant see each others facial expressions or body languish so its hard to communicate.

I also thought the harris comment was a bit "rude" but put in context with the rest of the post I realized it was not meant to be at all.

The truth is that hh is quite easy to manage compared to falcons as they seem much more resistant against bacteria and all around a "tougher" bird, so its not totally unusual that hh owner who progress to a different bird will soon have some health problems with the new bird.

I think the posts should be taken as they were intended, as sound, good and helpful advice.

I would never recommend you to keep a falcon tied to a rock or stone, i have seen this before and also seen the result; bumble foot.

I have also seen a huge amount of falcons with severe bumble foot in the gulf, kept on sand or not.
Astroturf is without a doubt the best as long as you keep it clean.

Good luck


I agree with you Sara it is very easy to get your wires crossed when your not talking face to face. in this case it was a simple misunderstanding on both sides, no harm done........

I popped round to Shauns last night to see how he was getting on. The birds alot more steady now than it was when we first picked it up. it was alot more chilled out with the hood removed than when he first acquired it when it was doing the wall of death in the back of the car!!!!!!!lol

[melvin]

i fly an harris hawk .I also fly a long wing but i have more fun with me harris

[Gyr69]

who bred it?

Who is that aimed at?

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Who is that aimed at?

Forget it Ian im confused. alredy had my answer.....:rolleyes:

[Shaun]

Astroturf and pock bit of both

[Shaun]

here you are . bird at back most of time

[CJTaylor]

here you are . bird at back most of time

OK now..what was that saying....are yes.....you can take a horse to water!"

[Gyr69]

Any update Shaun? Hows the bird coming along?

[Shaun]

Any update Shaun? Hows the bird coming along?

Hi mate, think I've pulled all my hair out!!!?? Had her on the creance tonight in the field only a short distance about 10 - 15ft. She came more or less instantly, tried her on the lure pad, again a good responce. So I made my way in softly softly and offered her a reward when she had finished the chick off the lure pad and she jumped up nicely to a nice piece of rabbit. Then I walked around the field a few times on a rabbit back leg so she could have a pull on it - trains,cars and tractors going by so it all seems to be getting there.

It's been a lot of hard work and manning - Rob wasn't wrong when he said this bird is a nutter, she's put me through my paces but I'm enjoying every moment!

i'll put some photo's on later and will take the camera out tomorrow and try and get some pics whilst I'm out training in the field.

[Gyr69]

Hi mate, think I've pulled all my hair out!!!?? Had her on the creance tonight in the field only a short distance about 10 - 15ft. She came more or less instantly, tried her on the lure pad, again a good responce. So I made my way in softly softly and offered her a reward when she had finished the chick off the lure pad and she jumped up nicely to a nice piece of rabbit. Then I walked around the field a few times on a rabbit back leg so she could have a pull on it - trains,cars and tractors going by so it all seems to be getting there.

It's been a lot of hard work and manning - Rob wasn't wrong when he said this bird is a nutter, she's put me through my paces but I'm enjoying every moment!

i'll put some photo's on later and will take the camera out tomorrow and try and get some pics whilst I'm out training in the field.

Ah great to hear mate.
I know what you mean my female had a real attitude problem screaming like a nut case and trying to bite lumps out of me even with her hood on.
You need to see what she has turned out like well worth it in the end trust me:supz:

[Shaun]

Some pics ,,,,,

[Gyr69]

I like it mate:supz:

Shaun I notice the ferrets are they the same bloodlines as Pikey Pete?
Its just I remember him saying his came from sheepland?:)

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Nice setup, im pleased to hear she is calming down, you seem to have got one of the renown nutter gyr/sakers lol

[Shaun]

Nice setup, im pleased to hear she is calming down, you seem to have got one of the renown nutter gyr/sakers lol

Hi sara

calming down hope so . so headstrong. you cornet beet a bird with something about her

shoes GRIT AND DETUMINASHON

[Shaun]

I like it mate:supz:

Shaun I notice the ferrets are they the same bloodlines as Pikey Pete?
Its just I remember him saying his came from sheepland?:)

Put my hob across his jill for him mate

[ScottBrady]

Hi sara

calming down hope so . so headstrong. you cornet beet a bird with something about her

shoes GRIT AND DETUMINASHON


Theres a 10 pint post if ever saw one..................lol

:supz::supz::supz:

[Shaun]

An update on how I'm getting on :

Bird flew free yesterday, it's not ranging very far out, 50 - 60 ft then turning, doesn't want to go anywhere. I suppose it's better than straight lining it ! On it's second free flight yesterday a duck came and landed in the field about 100yards away, the falcon was already on the wing, the bird flew staight at the duck and it was more of a follow than a pursuit!! None the less it did follow until the duck put itself in the stream where the falcon hovered for a while trying to flush the duck and then came back to the lure.

Didn't particularly want the bird to go after a duck more paying attention to me at the moment. I'm gonna be busy getting it fit over the next few weeks and getting some weight back on it.

[CanadaManada]

An update on how I'm getting on :

Bird flew free yesterday, it's not ranging very far out, 50 - 60 ft then turning, doesn't want to go anywhere. I suppose it's better than straight lining it ! On it's second free flight yesterday a duck came and landed in the field about 100yards away, the falcon was already on the wing, the bird flew staight at the duck and it was more of a follow than a pursuit!! None the less it did follow until the duck put itself in the stream where the falcon hovered for a while trying to flush the duck and then came back to the lure.

Didn't particularly want the bird to go after a duck more paying attention to me at the moment. I'm gonna be busy getting it fit over the next few weeks and getting some weight back on it.


Sounds like a winner!

Justin

[Shaun]

Sounds like a winner!

Justin

Hope so mate time will tell

[Shaun]

To day pics

[ScottBrady]

Went out with shaun yesterday afternoon to watch his falcon flying free.

it is only the second time ive seen a falconry falcon flying free. The first one a saw was gyr69's when he was swing lure training (which was great to watch Ian)

I stood there in disbelief as shes flew a circle of around a circumference of 3/4 of a mile!!!!!!!?????? whats more amazing to me is that she was chasing some ducks!!!!!!lol she followed them round the got underneath them and flew up towards them. she got to within 3 metres of them and then flew back to shauns swinging lure. she was about a hundred foot in the air at the time. I personally feel that if Shaun had fed her up on a duck before the could have easily nailed one. but to be fair it wasnt Shauns intention to get her entered this quickly....

I cant believe the power and stamina of this bird considering it is basically straight out of the pen with little fitness training???!!! I think Shauns been secretly supplementing it with Nandrolone or sustanol!!!!!lol

Well done shaun you got a great duck falcon in the making.....

I almost feel sorry for them!!!lol

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Dont forget this falcon was hacked in its first year.....

[ScottBrady]

Dont forget this falcon was hacked in its first year.....

thanx Sarah,

I was unaware of this Sarah, but the thought did cross my mind as she looked so fit.

I can see why now the top breeders use it for getting their birds fit and strong before selling them.

do you hack all your falcons?

Scott

[Shaun]

Dont forget this falcon was hacked in its first year.....

Hi Sarah, would you know how long the falcon was at hack?

[KevGem1]

nice one shaun,sounds promising mate i do like the look of that falcon all the best with her KEV.

[Gyr69]

Went out with shaun yesterday afternoon to watch his falcon flying free.

it is only the second time ive seen a falconry falcon flying free. The first one a saw was gyr69's when he was swing lure training (which was great to watch Ian)



No problem Scott glad you enjoyed it.

Great news Shaun sounds like the bird is coming along nice:supz:

[Shaun]

Getting there Ian .Will get some more pics to night

[Gyr69]

Getting there Ian .Will get some more pics to night

Been a while Shaun,I hope all is well mate.
I just caught my last one today and have now put her down to moult.

[PrinceOfTheWesternDesert]

howd that notched beak feel the first time she got you?lol
i noticed no longwings on your list of paST birds, so i know that had to be a whole new thing,lol

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Sorry i dont know how long, anything from 14-30 days, but it will have been a long time ago.

Im so pleased you are happy with it!

[Rex06]

how is she doing now jack ? any further story's or foto's ?

good luck
greetz peter

[Gyr69]

Any updates Shaun?