Falconry Displays

I was speaking in my previous blog about the wild buzzard I often see when I walk the dog. Yesterday evening and this morning I have encountered it. She may be a non-breeding female or be her first moult in which case she is too young to breed – ordinarily – and is using this patch of ground with plenty of prey to moult out and enjoy the Summer. I am finding her feathers everywhere in the dry grass and along the track by the stream – now dry.  Although yesterday there was a slight trickle – no doubt from the rain we had last weekend.

When I see her – she is very restless but does not go far – she will range away and then circle back as if anchored to this patch of land. Of course I am minded of J A Bakers moulting peregrine that spent much of its time in an orchard – finding adequate prey in the immediate area.

He appeared to have a relationship with one particular peregrine – who recognised him and became habituated to his constant presence. My view on Baker has changed in recent years. At home the book is always on a nearby table and during my treatment for cancer my companion in hospital. I have had the book since the age of 10 – my late father having bought for me because of my interest in birds of prey. It has been with me in one version or another ever since – and through the years when the book had been forgotten – I was still reading it. I am thrilled that the book has been rediscovered and a new generation of readers are enjoying it. His influence on wildlife writing has been enormous – you can see shadows of his work and style everywhere.

But the problems with Bakers work remain – in terms of authenticity and time line. Something I never questioned until comparatively recently. Of course the modern nature writer ‘it seems to me’ is less concerned about the authenticity of the work in terms of its science but more about the feelings it it evokes about the natural world. This contrasts with those wanting to buy the book to learn something about peregrines – and therein lies the problem. The strange thing is that with all my doubts I still read the book every year – I find something new in it every time. Baker was a man who suffered ill health – in pain – and that in itself can affect perception and reality. Let us leave it there.

Below is a photo of the wild buzzards feather I picked up. It is a secondary wing feather. I say in my book ‘Falconry – aspects of care of the trained falcon and hawk’ a dropped secondary is the first sign that the moult has started. With a first year bird I advise moulting the bird through by resting it loose in a loft – if possible.  There is the option if in good feather condition to fly the bird through the moult. Like I am doing with Jarvis the lanneret. I should say he was lofted for his first moult. It is such a momentous change from juvenile to adult plumage that it is worth resting the bird with plenty of food – to ensure the moult is complete by the Autumn and that the new feathers are strong and broad. Plenty of food and warm weather will help this.

Here is the buzzard feather I found last evening under an old oak tree.

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