Falconry Displays

There is definitely a feel of Spring in the air with the grass now growing and the willow trees down at the flying field showing signs of life. We have had such a wet period since Christmas and today with mild air and blue sky it feels quite uplifting. As I have said in a previous blog wild birds pairing up was well underway weeks ago. This morning buzzards were up, soaring and patrolling their territories. I always imagine they were hunting at first light before any humans were up and had already breakfasted.

So no news on Jarvis and barring a miracle I now consider her lost. I am just waiting for a new transmitter before I start flying our peregrine Sprite again because I lost a transmitter on Jarvis. As I have also said the system worked well but I could not get Jarvis down. With Sprite we have been through the process of losing him – he went chasing – but I managed to get him back. Once you have been through the process after reclaiming your lost bird – both parties the bird and the falconer will be better for it. I have had issues with Sprite but – chasing usually – but no problem after the first instance of getting him back. As soon as he sees me he comes dashing back and I have had him 12 years.  Of course I used to fly him for guests at Thornbury Castle.

I reread my own chapter on lost birds in my book ‘Falconry – aspects of care of the trained falcon and hawk’ by me Michael Davie – in view of what recently has happened. Apart from not getting the bird back I really cannot add to it.

I am going to increase the price of my book in America because I am now within less than 2 years after publication not receiving any royalties. They have been consumed by increased coats.  Clearly I do not want to do that but there is a principle involved that writers/artists should get paid for their work so in consultation with the publisher the price will go up a little. I am thrilled of course when anybody buys my book and I hope very much they find it useful.

We took the sports car we are looking after  and drove over to Boddington and Barrow Hill at the weekend. It was very much a trip down memory lane for me as I used to roam the fields and woods with my friends. There were some young Sparrowhawks in the main wood one year. We could hear them calling in the canopy but not see them – they were branchers and recently left the nest.

I remember a couple of years later flushing a teal off the River Chelt which runs through the land and wishing I had my own Sparrowhawk ‘Meg’ with me. Phillip Glasier once told me it was the ultimate challenge!

Anyway will sign off with a picture of Barrow Hill at Boddington and the River Chelt exactly where I flushed that teal half a century ago!