OSPREY MANNING!!!!!

[Ben C]

We have an Osprey that catches trout from the local trout lake, it has been witnessed loads of times and my boss (an honourable nature freak) knows where the nest sight is (hasn't told me though). I was wondering how would a falconer go about training one, or for that matter any fish eating raptor. This is totally hypothetical as I would never dream of disturbing them etc etc.

[Moritz]

I have flown african fish eagles they where trained in the normal way, the same with the Bald and white tailed eagles.

Moritz

[GriffMJ]

Hi Benc

I think the Osprey looks better in the wild ..... here in the UK we have waited a very long time for the Osprey to re-establish itself and they are breeding as far south as the Midlands of England now. Our nest sites are guarded 24/7 and the Osprey is viewed at a good distance so not to disturb..... thats how I like to see the Osprey.

With the greatest respect Benc, Moritz ........ the Osprey is better on the water in the wild ...... than on a fist :)

Personal note: I would love to make a hood for one to help out with breeding programme etc

[Tim Laycock]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that an Osprey was trained by the royal falconer to the house of Tudor and flown was flown by Henry Tudor (Henry the 8th) when the mood took him.
It seemed the bird was flown with a removable silver collar around its neck so when it caught a fish and carried it was unable to eat its catch and would quickly drop the fish and return to the fist.
I agree with Griff, its not very good is it :roll:

[Ben C]

Yep 100% agree with you griff, as I say hypothetical thoughts with my morning brew.....thats why I didn't give out any specifics.....my heads full of **** in the morning......I wondered if I could combine my passion for fishing with my passion for angling...................NAH a bit silly really :0 :) :0 :)

Blackbird. They use a ring on comorents in some far flung eastern province. They steal them from nests and imprint them and use the ring to stop them eating the fish. They dive in grab the fish and these blokes pull em out of the water, tip them up and drop the fish into a basket. On the film I saw they were not well looked after, a bit like eagles in Kyzykstan (spelling?) Still these people don't have the luxuary of money and a sainsbury's down the road eh.

[Ben C]

Duh.....passion for falconry!!!

[Hawkmaster]

My dad and I had one in need of rehab in RSA, very docile, trained up well and after the moult it came to the fist or thrown food very well.

On the day of it release we took it to a lake in the Natal hills and after 20 minutes in a dead tree, it took off and caught a fish and sat in a tree and ate it.

Not much chance of using it as a falconry bird around water! Was a good experience though and at the time we though it was an ugly bird, I still sort of think so.

[Tim Laycock]

If you look at something ugly for long enough it can become beautifull
:drinkers: :rolleyes: :lol:
Know what I mean :wink:

[M & J Raptors]

bet OMG has flown one :lol:

[Tim Laycock]

:lol: :mrgreen:

[Varmint]

I've rung a couple in our nest, but would never want to train one??

I once trained a Fish eagle to take First DOC's then eventually dead trout from a lake for an advert, but the ****** didnt always land to eat them where i would have liked and several late nights were spend below unclimable tree's for my trouble!

Youd be amazed at the amount of trouble you can go to for silly reasons, stuffing trout with polystyrene so they will float, trying to carry round a high perch where you hope the bird will land to eat ect.

Life doesnt have to be that complicated, just stick to what you know and if you really want to catch fish, train your HH it will do it with the right training and motivation i can assure you!

I once had a little male which would sit around and watch us on the estate pond, any fish landed was promptly grabbed and thoroughly killed before the game was over, just needed to push a few more buttons!

[Ben C]

Varmint I was joking....I can't believe you did that with a harris, that is fantastic :) I thought I had me work cut out slope soaring, I can see that I shall have to try a little bit harder. :) :) Superb story mate, like yours as well HM.

[Tim Laycock]

just needed to push a few more buttons!
I like this Adrian, You have put a lot into a nut shell with that statement :D