Volume 13
Journal of the South African Falconry Association ULTIMATE SPEARFISHING MAGAZINE > VOL 11
PAGE 1
Contents 1
RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE HAWKING
2
IRISH HAWKING CLUB
6
WHY BOTHER WITH THE IAF?
8 9
PAGE 2
EDITOR: Charles Sadler (072 197 0024 or safamewsviews@gmail.com) LAYOUT & DESIGN: Beetle Inc (031 701 1812 or www.beetleinc.co.za)
SUBSCRIBE TO THE IAF
RELEASE TECHNIQUES
10
AN UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE
12
MINE’S BIGGER THAN YOURS
16
BANGED UP ABROAD
18
SUCCESSES OF THE URBAN CROWNED EAGLE IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
20
BEHAVIOUR MANIPULATION
22
SKYFALL
25
CLUB REPORTS
32
MARK “THE MILKMAN”
33
MIKE THOMPSON
ULTIMATE SPEARFISHING MAGAZINE > VOL 11
COPYRIGHT: Mews Views is protected by copyright. Any form of reproduction, in whole or part, is prohibited. ADVERTISING: For information on advertising in the next issue, please email safamewsviews@gmail.com CONTRIBUTIONS: Mews Views welcomes photographs and editorial contributions. Mews Vies retainers all reprint rights; contributors retain all other rights for resale and republication.
Letter from the ed Time is really the gate keeper of so many things to come and that has passed. And boy did it play its roll. We had some of SAFA members traveling abroad returning with very interesting stories and interesting things to show. I must say, looks like you guys enjoyed yourself! For us that remained local thank you for all your input towards this year’s Mews Views. I would like to say thank you for this year and please for next year! Special thanks to Aleck Glyphis for the Cover photo. On a sad note we had to say farewell to some of our Falconry friends. Farewell to great personality’s whom in their own special way had such a great impact on South African Falconry. Farewell to them they will always be with us in mind, when we fly and when we laugh. We changed our Magazine designers and printers and I must say I hope you guys are excited as me when I saw our new Mews Views. Thank you Dane and his Beetle Inc team! Regards,
Charles Sadler
WORDS BY PAUL
STRYDOM
8th December saw me and better half flying over to Spain to visit good friends Manfred and Elodie Maugasc. They live on the outskirts of Coin, a fantastic little town with scattered Cafés and Restaurants. Surrounded by beautiful scenery with some of the best views straight off Manfred’s porch. Manfred and Elodie are fantastic hosts and we felt at home the minute we arrived.
SPANISH LANDSCAPE FOR FALCONRY
770grams should be ideal for even the largest Yellow
The area around Coin is not ideal, the country side is
Beak.
peppered with olive trees and cover is generally thick, however, there are a couple fields where a longwing
Another Hawk Manfred was flying was a female Perlin.
can stretch its wings and Manfred alternates between
I was impressed with this little 350gram Falcon, she
these on his daily pigeon drills and training flights.
mounted well, was super steady and could be called down a chimney. It would be interesting to see one
One hour’s drive inland and the landscape opens up
flown on our smaller species of Sandgrouse, provided
beautifully. Rolling hills of different colour soils sculpt
there’s no check.
a very pretty place to fly a falcon and I was shocked at how open Spain actually is, nothing like anything
SKY TRIALS IN SPAIN
else in Europe.
Trials are a serious affair in Spain with numerous events taking place during the hawking calendar.
HAWKING RED-LEGS No dogs were used; instead birds are glassed with
A Marque along with a Grand-stand were set up
bino’s from the vehicle. Once they have been spotted
to handle the massive turnout of Falconer’s and
we back the vehicle up until there’s a 200m safe zone
spectators from all over the country. The Trials are very
between us and the Covey as Red-legs are very spooky
well organised with some interesting events kicking
and flush for the hills at any hint of danger.
off the day. Harris hawks chasing Bagged Partridge was odd and rather pointless to me, but I believe the
First Bird up is usually Manfred’s Tiercel Brookie. This
Shortwing event that was held at another location is as
Bird mounts off big outruns and has a rate of climb that
serious as the Falcons.
will rival any falcon I’ve seen locally or in the States. There is no check so these outruns are not as stressful
The Longwing event is the same as everywhere
like here in SA (Must be nice). Once he has made
else with Falconers drawing a time slot for each
his way back over us, we move in on the Partridges
bird entered. We saw some big flying Falcons with a
and with no cover to speak of, they hold really well
number of them dotting out in the clear blue sky. Most
on the barren turf until we coax them to break under
birds were flown with Altimeters and 450m is about
the high flying Tiercel. Red-legs flush wildly putting
where I begin to lose them.
good distance between themselves and the ground, giving the impression of being very quick and with
Falcons of all shapes and species were entered.
vast distances between cover they really put the after
There’s a healthy number of longwingers in Spain so
burners on to avoid capture.
there’s no shortage of breeders, if you want it you can buy it!! (Must be nice).
We saw some magic stoops out of this little falcon, usually finished with a big hit and throw-up. Oddly
We spent a total of 2 weeks in Spain before leaving
Brookei Peregrines have not found a place in South
for Italy to visit family. In that time we saw some Great
African Falconry, especially amongst the Duck hawking
Falconry, ate some Great Food and drank some Great
fraternity. They are aggressive Falcons that prefer to
Wine with Great People. IT’S A GREAT PLACE!!!
strike rather than bind and with females flying around MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 1
Irish Hawking Club
- International Snipe Meet WORDS BY
BOB DALTON
The Irish Hawking Club were very generous
it started its jinking flight in earnest. I had heard
with moors becoming ever more expensive and
recently in extending an invitation to falconers
many reports from various sources that the Snipe
ever more difficult to find we both thought Snipe
across UK and Europe to attend a meet specifically
Hawking being carried out in Ireland was providing
Hawking might offer a suitable alternative as it still
organised to show the quality sport that Snipe
some truly excellent sport and it was a true test
requires good dog work and a falcon that will wait
hawking has to offer. It is a branch of falconry
for falconer, dog, falcon and of course quarry. One
on in the proper manner. Accordingly we made our
that tends to provide an incidental flight to a game
name has become synonymous with this branch of
way to Ireland to join in the fun, one thing about a
hawk on a moor rather than as a specific quarry
falconry in recent years, that of Martin Brereton,
meet in Ireland you can be assured it will be fun no
around which the flights are engineered. However
and the fact that he would be attending the meeting
matter what the weather or the opportunities for
in recent years, due to the realistic lack of any
helped me make my mind up that I should do my
sport. We need not have had any concerns on either
other worthwhile game for longwings, several of
best to attend.
point. The weather was exceedingly kind to us and
Irelands top falconry devotees have dedicated
the sport was plentiful and of a very high quality.
themselves more or less exclusively to this sport.
The meet was held over five days during the last
By the time we had sorted our hire car and found
In my own experience of flying falcons for over
week in October, but due to work commitments I
our way out of Dublin and arrived at the meet hotel
forty five years, many of those spent on the moors
couldn’t arrive in Ireland till the lunchtime of the
we had unfortunately missed the departure of the
in Scotland in pursuit of Red Grouse, I have only
second day. My companion on this occasion would
hawking parties that day. So it was time to settle
ever flown and killed one Snipe and this I flushed
be well known falconer and falcon breeder Diana
into our hotel and await the return of the hawking
as I moved round to head the point on a covey of
Durman-Walters. She too was very interested
parties. Early evening I wandered into the bar to be
Grouse. The Snipe jumped up quite close to me
to see this branch of falconry first hand. Both of
greeted, much to my surprise, by my friend Belgian
and my male Red Naped Shaheen caught it before
us have hunted Red Grouse for many years but
Falconer Eddie de Mol. It would appear Eddie had
come to Dublin to run the marathon on the Sunday
the hawking grounds as she had met up with fellow
equally as disadvantageous would occur and
and had afterwards checked on the possibility of
falconers from her native Cornwall. On agreement
ensure the Tiercel didn’t get one good clean chance
seeing some hawking whilst he was there. With
I was assured I had opted for the correct ride as
at a Snipe. Great shame as the diminutive Tiercel
the sort of hospitality one has come to expect from
my host, one Trevor Roche from Dublin Falconry,
flew very well indeed. The sport was however, in
the Irish, someone drove to Dublin and collected
had laid in provisions of tea and cakes enough to
general, superlative and to recount flight after
him so as he would be able to see two days sport
cater to a small party not just two people. I have to
flight would be as boring for you to read as it would
before being driven back to Dublin to catch his
state categorically that due in no small way to the
be for me to write. So let me describe one flight to
flight home. Next into the bar was Mike Nicholls, an
generosity of Trevor I had a fantastic three days of
give a flavour of the proceedings.
English falconer I have known for a long time and
sport and companionship.
I began to feel perhaps I had wandered into a BFC
One of the principal hosts of the event, through
meet by mistake. However within a few minutes the
Having been told that we must be ready to go
the good offices of The Irish Hawking Club, was
bulk of the hawking party descended on the bar and
hawking at ten thirty it was no real surprise that
Martin Brereton. He was first up on the day and
soon introductions were being gone through and
we didn’t actually set off to hawk till just after one
everyone was keen to see this particular Tiercel fly,
arrangements made to ensure that Diana and I saw
fifteen. But no matter as apparently the bog we
its reputation stands it apart from other Tiercels
some hawking whilst we were there.
would be hawking was only twenty minutes away
flying the same quarry. Many of us felt that the
(make that one hour and ten minutes in reality).
opportunity to see this particular peregrine fly
Very loose, and I do mean loose, arrangements were
However, all joking aside, the bog turned out to be
was reason enough on its own to come to Ireland.
made for gathering in the morning and heading off
a highly productive one and many flights ensued
His tiercel, who has taken well over one thousand
to the bogs to fly Snipe. Apparently the Snipe were
in relatively quick succession. The quality of the
Snipe, knew precisely what was expected of him
on the ground in sufficient numbers that despite
flying was simply superb with all the local home
and required to get the job done. When a point had
the fact there were around seven falcons at that
grown talent showing exactly how things should be
been obtained the Tiercel was unhooded and had a
point to be flown we could all go as one group. At
done. The visitors and their falcons did well but
ten thirty am next morning Diana and I reported for
unfortunately no cigar. In
action in the lobby of the hotel as instructed. We
Several cases it was purely
noticed outside four Tiercels were weathering on
a case of bad luck with
the front lawn of the hotel and so we went outside to
the Snipe either breaking
have a look. Over the course of the next hour these
early
were joined by a Falcon and two more Tiercels. I
victim running around on
did at one point remark that it was nice to attend a
the ground, avoiding the
meet and see seven pure bred indigenous falcons
terminal intentions of the
with no foreigners of mixtures amongst them.
dog, and flushing when
On the last day this did in fact change with the
the Tiercel was accordingly
inclusion of two hybrid falcons but at various points
out of position. If there
on the third and fourth days of the meet there were
were a prize for bad luck
eleven pure Peregrines weathering, all bar two,
of the week it would surely
awaiting their turn at Snipe. For the purist it was a
go to Vincent Vducrot with
truly lovely sight. There was absolutely no lack of
his battle scarred Tiercel
willingness to chat by our hosts and immediately I
Brookei. Every time the small
had some interesting conversations with one or two
Tiercel was put on the wing
Irish falconers participating in the meet. During this
something went wrong. Either
get to know you period I was asked by one of the
a Crow or a Buzzard would
local falconers if I wanted to ride with him as Diana
appear or the Snipe would
was already sorted regarding transport to and from
flush
or
early
the
or
intended
something
ma rk tha t I d id a t one poin t re mee t a nd it w as nice to a ttend a ind igen ous ed br re pu n ve se e se ers fa lc ons w ith n o foreign them . of m ix tures a m on gs t MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 3
good look round before launching itself from the fist. It made straight for the Pointer mounted up over it at an astonishing rate. Like all experienced game hawks it understood fully the part played by the dog in the proceedings and was focused totally upon it. The wind was blowing very strongly and there was drizzle in the air and the Tiercel had to work to get into position and then hold it. When circumstances
ng His high s ta nda rd of flyi nd w as re pea ted aga in a re e aga in o ve r the nex t th the days a nd a lthough nt Snipe w ere ve ry re lucta the to a ctua lly come to ng bag the qua li ty of flyi en t w as a bs o lute ly exce ll a nd a joy to w a tch .
looked right the Pointer was sent in and the Snipe reluctantly flushed. In fact so slow and so reluctant was it to rise that it was almost grabbed by the Pointer. But flush it eventually did and the stoop from the Tiercel was just a sheer joy to watch. It was initially almost vertical but then as the Snipe made rapid progress it angled and closed on the Snipe at an amazing rate. The Snipe managed to avoid the first stoop of the Tiercel but such was the Tiercel’s recovery of position that it was taken upon the second rush. This truly was an outstanding example of a waiting on flight at its very highest level and a flight to be savoured and gone over in the mind again and again for a very long time. This high standard of flying was repeated again and again over the next three days and although the Snipe were very reluctant to actually come to the bag the quality of flying was absolutely excellent and a joy to watch. Added to this of course was the superlative dog work that made the flights possible. Pointers, Red Setters, a Vizla and a Brittany all played their very important part and the standard of their collective work was as high as I have ever seen. Over the three days that i was a spectator at the meet I enjoyed excellent sport and truly enjoyable company. There were many flights to enjoy, the vast majority of which were of the very highest quality. There were many highlights to be enjoyed, not least meeting Roland Eustace, Sean Giben and Liam O’Broin. Roland is practically the Doyen of Irish falconry, with Sean being well respected by one and all within the sport. Most well known of all is of course Liam, both as an artist and author of repute and it is from his pen we have truly informative and ground breaking “The Sparrowhawk – A Manual for Training”. As mentioned earlier on the final day there were two hybrids joining the pure bred falcons on the weathering. One, a Gyr/Peregrine Falcon would not be taking part in the proceedings. With a flying weight of almost three pounds she would be at a very great disadvantage for this type of flight. The other was an intermewed Gyr/Merlin belonging to Jason Deasy. A very attractive looking falcon with what seemed to the eye to be endowed with an overly long tail. But this is an impression that may well have been given by the stance of the falcon and its colouration. Although I have to say when on the wing the tail once again struck me as longer than on a pure bred falcon, however it is possible that this may just be my imagination. Jason was running his Vizla “Chilli” and got a good solid point a little too close to the encroaching tree line for immediate comfort but Jason elected to fly it. The Gyrlin was allowed to take to the wing and soon was fighting the elements to get into position over the dog and falconer. When “Chilli” was sent in the Snipe, as is his choice, showed reluctance to rise and waited till the falcon was out of position before jumping. The hybrid put in a relatively shallow stoop and missed its target by a fraction. But undeterred it threw up and then put in a second stoop, which the Snipe also avoided. At this point the Snipe started to fly through the trees and had its pursuer been a pure bred Peregrine then
it would have been safe. However hybrid vigour took over and the small falcon took the Snipe at the third time of asking. Falcon and Snipe came to ground somewhere in the trees. As Jason started to make his way to the falcon a wild Merlin decided he would like the Snipe and stooped at the hybrid. The hybrid left its prize and there then ensued some fantastic flying as wild Merlin and hybrid tussled for aerial superiority. In the meantime “Chill” had done a perfect job and recovered the Snipe. Eventually the combatants broke off and the hybrid returned to the falconer. An excellent display of flying by a very fit falcon which in turn was a true credit to the falconer that trained him. When it comes to making special mention then it is impossible not to touch on the superb Tiercels flown by Kevin Marron. Here is a man totally dedicated to his sport and the discipline of his falcons and their quality of flying truly reflect this. Every time one of Kevin’s Tiercels took to the wing expectations of a successful outcome very sharply increased. Regardless of whether quarry was taken or not they were a joy to watch and anyone with a true love of falconry, no matter what particular branch of the sport they indulged in, could not fail to be impressed. I have never attended a meet where flights were so regular and the field so large in comparison to the number of falcons. Sometimes there were as many as forty souls with their eyes raised to heaven watching a Tiercel gain its pitch and then stoop when the quarry was flushed. But despite what must have seemed an unwieldy procession of people, dogs and hawks all worked well and I didn’t hear any disparaging remarks what so over. Evenings were lively as well with entertainment, talks and on the final night a Gala dinner. Here tribute was paid to Stephen Frank by Robert Hutchinson and I paid a short but heartfelt tribute to Cerri Griffiths. Then after dinner there was much singing, telling of jokes and the odd libation or two. A thoroughly fitting end to a quality meeting. I would like to thank Don Ryan for the invitation and falconers one and all at the meet for their company and the sport they so willingly shared. Would I go again? Plans are already in hand and next year and I hope to be a participant not just a spectator. This annual Snipe Hawking Meet is open to falconers everywhere and believe me it really is well worth attending. As soon as this publication has news of next year’s event we will share it with our readership.
his w ay to ke a m to ed rt ta s n o As Jas ecided he d n li er M d il w a n the fa lc o d a t the pe o to s d n a e ip n S e th w ou ld like its priz e a nd ft le id br hy he T . id hy br n tas ti c flyi n g fa e m o s ed su en en th there ss led for tu id br hy d n a n li er M as w ild a eria l supe ri ori ty . MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 5
WORDS BY ADRIAN
LOMBARD
Most falconers desire little else beyond getting
that there are a few problems on the horizon such
nations in 1968 in response to challenges which
out in the field with their hawk, probably a dog
as the “Antis”, legislation that creates problems
they recognized were looming on the horizon. In
and possibly a friend, to hunt quarry and bring the
for our hawking and conservation issues which
46 years it has grown dramatically to represent
hawk home at the end of the day. Believe me, I
stop us getting the hawks we would like or
Falconers from 67 nations and includes some
am no different. There are a few extras which fall
enough quarry. These are day-to-day issues and
105 different organizations as members. This is
into the “nice to have” category. We like to meet
this is why you have a club and the Hawk Board.
an incredible achievement as it serves to unify
up with friends and talk hawks, dogs and hunting.
Why then bother with another organization? The
those who practice the Art of Falconry around the
We have an interest in raptors and in wildlife
IAF, its full name is The International Association
world and the scope of this representation is not
in general, so we enjoy watching wild raptors
for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey
matched by any other hunting organization to my
hunting and breeding and we often become
is a truly global organization which represents
knowledge, and very few conservation bodies.
involved in conservation projects for raptors or
and unites “hunting” Falconers. This organization
The role of the IAF is defined in its constitution:
the environment. We are also generally aware
was started by a group of 8 European Falconry
• To represent falconry throughout the world. Falconry is the traditional sport of taking quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of trained birds of prey. It is a hunting art. • To preserve and encourage falconry within the context of sustainable use of wildlife. • To encourage conservation, the ecological and veterinary research on birds of prey and promote, under scientific guidance, domestic propagation for falconry. • To develop, maintain and amend national and international laws, treaties and conventions to permit the pursuit and perpetuation of falconry. • To require the observation of falconry, hunting, conservation and welfare laws, regulations, traditions and culture with regard to the taking, import, export and keeping of birds of prey, the taking of quarry species and the right of access to land in the country concerned. • To promote and uphold a positive public image of falconry with specialist organisations which regulate or otherwise affect falconry. PAGE 6
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
Thus the role of the IAF is to promote, support
Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. We develop and
falconry raptors will become a significant issue in
and defend Falconry on international and regional
support this heritage through the celebration of
the months and years ahead. Plans are afoot to
levels and to assist member organizations at
the annual World Falconry Day (16th November
establish “positive lists” for companion animals
national level when requested. We address
each year) and through other efforts.
in the EU; which means that some list will say
conventions, legislation, regulation and policies
what birds may be kept as “pets” by ordinary
that influence falconry and conservation on
We
represent
the
conservation
aspirations
all these levels. The IAF is represented at all
of falconers at an international level through
major international conventions, including CBD,
the participation in international conservation
On a much lighter note, why not be part of
CITES, CMS and the Bern Convention. Within
conventions and bodies as well as by developing
this incredible fraternity of falconers, why not
CMS (Convention on Migratory Species) we are
a culture of conservation among falconers.
contribute to the work being done on behalf of
particularly active in the Raptors MoU having
We promote the engagement of falconers in
falconry and why not share in the enthusiasm
representation at the Technical Action Group
conservation projects at international, regional
and excitement that goes with participation
and the Saker Task Force within this. We are
and national level. Our current focus is on Saker
in the global effort for falconry. The IAF made
also an International NGO member of the IUCN
conservation as we believe that this represents
some significant changes to its constitution at
and are particularly active in the Sustainable
the most pressing concern to the raptors of
the AGM held in Doha, in January. Votes are no
Use and Lifestyle (SULi) group of the IUCN. On a
falconry interest, but we also promote the
long held on a purely national level, but each
regional level, we pay special attention to issues
conservation of other species including the tree-
member club with at least 50 members will get at
within the European Union. We have a contract
nesting Peregrines of Europe, Imperial Eagles
least 1 vote. We have also opened up individual
with a monitoring agency that provides data to
and, we plan, for the European Lanner.
subscriberships (not membership) to the IAF,
us from the European Union Government and
people and this could hugely affect falconry.
so that individuals can support the IAF and get
this is scrutinised daily by a specialized group
We believe that falconers should be considered the
specific benefits. We hope that these changes
within the IAF. Thus we are able to stay ahead
experts on the welfare issues related to falconry
will make our organization more accessible to
on impending legislation and regulation within
raptors. The IAF intends to represent Falconers
and more representative of ordinary falconers in
Europe. We have provided detailed comment on
in this area. To this end we have prepared a
the field. I would invite you to visit our website at
the Strategic Action Plan for Raptor Conservation
general Welfare Statement to guide falconers and
www.iaf.org to learn more of the IAF. While you
within the European Union and we were also able
to represent our position on welfare issues. We
are there, examine the IAF Journal of Falconry
to negotiated significant changes to the falconry
organized a 2 day veterinary conference on the
which can be purchased on line and which can
section of the Code of Conduct for Hunting with
veterinary aspects of Raptors in conjunction with
also be included in the membership fee for
respect to Invasive Alien Species which was
our AGM in Doha and generously sponsored by
member organizations. There are plans to involve
produced by the Bern Convention last year.
our hosts, the Alganaas Association of Qatar. This
raptor breeders and others within the structures
had presentations by top raptor veterinarians
of the IAF in the future. This can only be done
We recognize the significance of culture, both
from around the world and was attended by some
when an office with permanent staff can be
tangible
craftwork)
70 vets. Further activity of this sort is in planning.
established and plans are afoot to open such an
and intangible (those skills passed through
(paintings,
books,
and
You may well be thinking that this is all very
office in Brussels. (This office officially opened on
generations) to Falconry. We contributed to
well, but what does this actually have to do
20th April 2015)
the effort, led by the United Arab Emirates,
with you and getting your hawk into the field.
which resulted in the recognition of falconry
Well, issues such as the Code of Conduct for
The IAF is genuinely an organization run by
as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Hunting with respect to Invasive Alien Species
Falconers, working for Falconers. Do I still get
by UNESCO in 2010. We are an Advisory NGO,
would, undoubtedly, have impacted on ordinary
time to fly my hawk? My dog is asking the same
associated with the Directorate of Intangible
falconers. Welfare aspects of the management of
question. We will see what the new season brings!
Traditionally IAF has only allowed clubs or organizations to take part - now this is possible for individual falconers. Please join a select group of people among the international falconry community. These individuals care so much about ensuring the future of falconry in their own countries and throughout the world that they generously support the IAF with philanthropic contributions above and beyond their support of their national clubs. At the 45th Council of Delegates Meeting the IAF voted to accept individual subscribers who may subscribe by using the online form www.iaf.org/DownloadAppForm. php . INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIBERS may be invited to attend IAF events and to volunteer for roles within the IAF. What is the IAF? Why does my National Club belong to it? Influences and controls on falconry so often come from outside national laws. The IAF is the Global Defense and Advocacy organization for falconry: we attend all those meetings so that you can go out practice falconry in the field. • We provide the international voice for falconers, defending your rights and privileges alongside your national club. • We are the face of falconry at international conventions and conferences. • We safeguard culture and practice of falconry for you, for your children and for their children. Falconers share an international brotherhood, a common language and an understanding which bridges continents, races and religions. Falconry is a force for peace and friendship in the world. The IAF is your representative organization – we work for you and for all falconers. We are your insurance against outside attacks. What does IAF do for me personally? Why should I bother? IAF represents falconry throughout the world. Falconry is the traditional sport of taking game in its natural state and habitat by trained birds of prey. It is a hunting art. IAF supports hunting falconers all over the world and we represent them at international hunting organizations. These include both FACE (European Hunters’ Association) and CIC (International Council of Hunting). We represent falconers at International Conventions that can influence hunting and falconry: • CITES, Conference on Biodiversity, Conference of Migratory Species, Bern Convention • IAF preserves and encourages falconry in the context of sustainable use of wildlife. • We support the sustainable use of quarry and of the environment and recognize sustainable use requires the presence of good conservation measures. • We are actively involved in the conservation of raptors and we promote the efforts of falconers all around the world. • We promote the development of veterinary care of raptors and encourage the breeding of falconry raptors. • IAF requires the observation of falconry, hunting, conservation and welfare laws, regulations, traditions and culture with regard to the taking, import, export and keeping of birds of prey, the taking of quarry species and the right of access to land in the country concerned. • IAF supports the legal practice of falconry and stands against wildlife crime. • We promote the culture of falconry and the rights of our membership and we help in the development of suitable national regulations and legislation. We promote falconry and the support of falconry as an intangible cultural heritage Since 1968 the IAF has been an entirely voluntary organization that has achieved major results all over the world. Now we represent 67 countries and have entered a period where a professional staff is needed. Generous funding has been received from Emirates Falconers Club for the start up of the permanent office, but there are time limits and we will need to find alternative funding sources in the future. You can help by subscribing and buying items from the webstore.
PAGE 8
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
RELEASE techniques Many birds used in falconry are released back into the wild after having spent a season or more being hunted under falconry conditions. They can range from eyases bred in captivity to passage birds and in some cases mature birds that are being rehabbed. Mostly these birds are just fed up to full weight at seasons end and tossed off downwind to prey at fortune as one reads in the old falconry books. I often wonder what becomes of these birds and how many actually slot back into nature and add to the breeding population. Obviously the history of the individual before it came into falconry plays a big role. and birds that are flown under falconry conditions
few cases i cannot be sure they all survived, but
Passage and haggard birds that have only been
is that the natural sequence of transition from
at least i feel i have done everything possible to
in captivity a short period of time would have the
hatching to independency is unbroken.
maximise each bird’s chances.
and released in a prey rich environment. But even
I think the idea that as long a falconry bird is
Firstly the bird must be flying fit and flown daily
here a bird’s ability to change over to a mind-
fit and fat when it is released is good enough is
at the proposed release site so that it gets to
set of self-preservation takes a while to kick in.
not really good enough. Survival in a man altered
know the area. Allow the bird to perch, chase
At the bottom of the list is the unhacked eyas
environment with all its hazards for a bird that
quarry natural and other. If she kills let her
that has neither the experience nor the mind-set.
has been taught human dependency up to that
feed up and take her home every night the first
Factors to be taken into consideration are that
point is a bit dodgy. Add to that having to learn
week. Extend the flying sessions for as long as
even a passage bird that is used in falconry has
to hunt a natural prey successfully before its
possible. By the second week you can leave the
its outlook on survival and predation changed
reserves run out, learn to roost safely, negotiate
bird out overnight with a full crop. They normally
by the very nature of the falconry regime.
resident hawk territories and so on all add up to
do not go far. Check that they roost in a safe
Most techniques lean towards making the bird
very little chance at all. In my experience there
place. Be there early the following morning to
dependant on the falconer for food, hunting
are a few factors to consider when one intends to
feed to reinforce the homing instinct. Obviously
opportunities, roosting places etc.
release a bird. Firstly the area where the release
the bird must still wear telemetry. Bring the bird
is to take place should be a natural environment
in every couple of days to keep her tame enough
The longer a wild caught bird has been in falconry
for the species ie tree rich for accipiter’s and
to pick up. All equipment should be taken off by
the more pronounced this dependency will be
big open areas for falcons with an abundance
the third week. You can leave the bird out but
ingrained. At the other end of the scale will be the
of their natural quarry. Preferably a low human
keep feeding every day and most importantly at
eyast that has no previous experience of survival
population that could interfere with the process.
the same place at the same time. Most birds will
and has to rely entirely on the instincts nature
The bird’s fitness and the terrain are doable; the
return sporadically during the third week before
has passed on in its genes. Hacked birds that are
bird’s mind-set is the difficult part. The release
making the final break. I have had some birds set
released directly from the wild hack probably have
should also be a process that takes place over
up territory at the release site but most just stop
as good a chance of surviving to augment the
two or three weeks so natural roosting sites
returning for food hopefully to join or re-join the
wild population as the young produced from the
should be present. I have released many birds
wild population and become successful breeders
wild eyries. The main difference between these
in the manner to be described and except for a
none the worse for their falconry experience.
best chance if released in top physical condition
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 9
WORDS BY LIZETTE
BEUKES, ALAN HARVEY, STUART PRINGLE & DYLAN FREEMAN
I was fortunate enough to be nominated as one
of the time I was not sure what I was eating but,
have the red carpet treatment! Natal boys tend
of the delegates to represent South Africa at the
it tasted really good!
to exaggerate so it was no surprise when Adrian
3rd International Falconry Festival.
I thought
ended up slumming it with the rest of us in the
to myself this is really nice but it’s probably a
We then moved to Al Forsan where the rest of
dessert camp. After a very comfortable flight
dream. I woke up a few months later and found
the festival took place. I was fortunate enough
courtesy of Etihad Airways we touched down in
myself, together with Adrian Lombard, Alan
to attend an evening at the United Arab Emirates
the UAE later that evening. We nearly lost Dylan
Harvey, Dylan Freeman and Thys Walters at OR
Falconry Club, where we were met by traditional
here and were convinced he had been detained at
Tambo International Airport on 5 December 2014
dance and singing of the locals. I got to taste
customs because of his ornate Crocodile Dundee
departing to Abu Dhabi. My experience as being
some traditional food made by very friendly local
head gear. After an hour’s drive into the desert
the only lady amongst all the guys, I was very
ladies. The evening ended with a great buffet that
night and after a few wrong turns we ended up at
nervous and I really did not know what to expect.
was served to the guests. The rest of the week we
the desert camp in the early hours of the morning.
Well this trip turned out to be one of my biggest
all gathered at Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort, with
After receiving our info brochures and passes
highlights ever! We arrived at Abu Dhabi airport
the first day having the school children arrive and
the by now slightly travel weary group was
well into the night. We where then taken to the
the rest of the time the Festival was open to the
assigned tents. I ended up in the continental tent
desert camp in Al Gharbia where we spent the
public. We had daily Arena events followed by a
and needless to say by the next day I was even
next few days experiencing an unique opportunity
Grand Parade of all the countries every day. The
more travel weary having learnt a smattering
meeting falconers from all over the world. It has
week was ended by an amazing Arabian Nights
of Italian, Hungarian and Slovakian during the
till date been the biggest by far, with over 80
Dinner and Concert. I have asked some of the
course of the night. The next few days were taken
countries attended.
other falconers who attended the Festival with me
up with Robara displays, hawking houbara from
to comment and this is what they had to say:
camels and excursions to the falcon hospital
What you see here is the camp, the inside of the tents with really nice sleeping bags and then the “street” I stayed in. How the whole camp was
and other places of interest planned by the
Memories of Alan Harvey – Winner of the Photo competition
put together was amazing, a lot of effort went
PAGE 10
organizing committee. Evenings were taken up with interesting talks and workshops presented by falconers from each country.
into the planning to accommodate almost 800
December 7th 2014 saw the South African
visitors from all over the world. Here we have the
representatives to The Falconry Festival namely
The food was really good with a chance to
“Roubara” being demonstrated, some camels and
flying out from OR Tambo en route to Abu Dhabi
sample some culinary delights I had never heard
then the food. The Roubara is a “new” concept
to take part in the festival and to man the South
of.
that was demostrated to falconers especially the
African display. Stuart Pringle followed us on the
from the UAE were very interesting with guests
Arabs, as this Roubara can be used to teach there
next flight. Being from Natal he took things at a
being invited in for tiny cups of coffee, which
falcons to hunt. This Roubara is very well made,
more leisurely pace! We had met up with Adrian
are drunk sitting on luxurious carpets. Our group
even the wings on it, move. The camels were
Lombard at Oliver Tambo. We were pleased to see
made a bit of a faux paux by inviting ourselves
daily visitors at the desert camp. The food was
him because Bruce Padbury had advised us that
into the Sheiks’ tent but by the time we realised
served inside an airconditioned tent, where half
if we stuck close to the IAF president we would
our mistake it was too late. Arab custom and
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
Traditional Bedouin tents with falconers
courtesy came to the fore though and we had an
SA Falconry. Attend as many field meets as you
interesting half hour talking to the Sheik.
can, a lot of us practise our sport in isolation, so how else are you going to learn!!
After 4 days at the camp everyone was bussed back to Al Forsan near Abu Dhabi where the festival was held. Each country was allocated a
Memories of Dylan Freeman – Delegate of South Africa
tent in which to show off their countries falconry. The first day was open to the local schools and
The 2014 festival hosted 77 Nations, of which
we had groups of children shepherded by their
South Africa was included. As a South African
teachers visiting each tent. Stuart Pringle proved
Representative I was privileged to meet many
a seasoned pro at this entertaining the kids with
old friends as well as make many new ones
some tall South African stories. It was surprising
and we all share the same passion for Falconry.
to see how many South African teachers we met,
One highlight was the opportunity to meet His
not to mention homesick SAs now working in the
Highness Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan as
UAE. Every day there was a parade of nations
well as share an evening in the tents socialising
where each country would carry their countries
and dancing to traditional entertainment. This
flag in a procession with a falconry bird allocated
was also an opportunity to get our birds ready
to them. An MC would introduce each country
for the arena displays to be held in the city. I was
over the PA system and give a brief overview of
lucky to be offered an African Fish Eagle as my
falconry in each country. The rest of the days were
bird for the duration of the festival and he was a
spent meeting falconers from all over the world
real show stopper, with his display flights in the
and exchanging contacts details. The language
festival arena. The Desert camp will remain one
barrier made it difficult to understand some but it
of the highlights of my falconry career and many
was very interesting seeing and chatting to some
fond memories remain of this great time.
of the celebrated falconers from each country. From the desert camp we moved to the city Saturday saw the closing ceremony and just after
of Abu Dhabi to the Al Forsan Arena for the
midnight we boarded the big bird in the sky and
public displays. The festival was a showcase
jetted our way down the African continent to
of International Falconry and each day we
arrive back home tired but exhilarated from all
participated in the parade of nations as well as
the sensory overload of people, falcons and the
featuring in the local media (tv and newspaper)
desert. I think all who made the trip really enjoyed
the Arab culture highly regards falconry and
every moment and wouldn’t hesitate to go again.
due to this we had an extremely large turnout
A big thank you must go to the organizers and
and much interest. What was fascinating was
sponsors’ of this showcase event.
the huge numbers of South African expats who enjoyed chatting and “praat die taal” While we
Memories of Stuart Pringle – Delegate from Natal
were in the city we were extremely privileged to be invited to see the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, a multi-national awarded falconry medical centre
I
had the privilege of attending the 3Rd
that could rival any private hospital facility in
International Festival Of Falconry held in Abu
South Africa. This centre sees on average 120
Dhabi in December 2014.
It was a fantastic
outpatient falcons each day and they have many
honour to represent SAFA and the NFC at such
flight pens for moulting and recovering falcons as
an International event. I’m used to the quiet
well as an ICU unit.
Midlands life and not the hustle and bustle of an International event. I had a great opportunity to
This facility is a huge asset to the falconry
network and learn how others did things. I met
community in the area and serves a great
some awesome guys from just across our border
purpose. Some of the Zimbabwe Falconers as
in neighbouring Zimbabwe and I’m hopefully
well as another SA Falconer and myself went one
going to go to their field meet in early August. The
evening to see the Dubai Falcon Soek, which is
other group of people that were, regrettably, also
a mini mall dedicated to falconry and hawking
really great were the Ozzie contingent – great
equipment and was a mini heaven for a me as we
guys that were pretty much barking mad. For me
have to make our own here but in the UAE you
this is what big falconry events are about, people
can walk out with everything you would require.
getting together with a common interest and
I think I speak for all of us when I say Thank-you to
promoting our wonderful sport. For those of you
all who made this trip possible! It was an honour
that get given the opportunity grab it with both
to represent South Africa and an experience none
hands put 150% effort into the task of promoting
of us will ever forget!
Mines bigger
than yours WORDS BY
PAGE 12
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
STUART PRINGLE
I’d reached a cross roads with my falconry, well
there done that, I’ve learnt what makes a short
so appropriate. Be prepared to constantly change
actually in my life if I’m honest – but that’s another
wing tick. He never really screamed, except when
things and adapt but most of all just enjoy flying
story all together. Falconry, it starts to take over
his brother was around. He took the first thing I
these little assassins of the sky.
your life, think about it carefully and you’ll realise
showed him and we went from strength to strength.
that most decisions are put through the falconry
I’ve learnt a few tricks along the way, I’ve flown a
test, daily. I base most decisions around the ability
number of accipiter species and like to experiment
for the outcome to allow me to fly daily or at the
with each new candidate. Falconry is an art, there’s
So you wanna survive your first black spar
least every other day. This is the deciding factor.
no one size fits all. Falconry is about adapting along
I can only urge all you guys that are interested in
Sound business practise goes out the window,
the way to get the desired result. I’d seen a few
flying short wing hawks to talk and observe how
family holidays, you get the picture.
pics of a perch, called a corner perch and thought
other guys are doing it. If you don’t know how to
that this would solve the problem of keeping Chuck
do something ask, if you cant see the point of why
After losing my Imprint Black Spar Musket – whilst
inside. As laid back as my wife is, and sometimes
someone’s doing something question it. Go to as
moulting from his mews in his 4 year, I couldn’t do
she’s almost parallel, accipiter mutes on the wall
many field meets as you can and read, read read.
another. It had taken a lot to get him to where he
or couch are a no-no. The perch was approved by
I’ve learnt everything I’m about to write either
was, a well matured bottle of your finest red wine.
the club who could see the benefits and Chuck
through books or from the wonderful group of
Season after season of fine tuning. My last season
spent his days in the house interacting with the
falconers that I’m proud to call my mates. Everyone
with him was epic and we reached near perfection
daily hassle and bussle of the Pringle household.
does things slightly differently and I’d like to think
on a number of fronts. It was time for a change.
I never really did any real weight reduction and
I’ve taken the best from each in writing this “ how
flew him “fat”. He never ceased to amaze me with
to guide”
th
I’d watched Bruce and Ross fly female Red Spars in
his acceleration off the fist and vertical climbing. I
my first year as a member of the club and had been
started restricting the number of kills, for fear of
Manning
in awe of the birds skill – not the falconers (kidding
killing everything in sight. I could comfortably have
I was lucky enough to go to the 3 rd International
guys)!! Seeing a Red Spar command the sky and
taken double figures of small grass birds, from
Falconry Festival in Abu Dhabi in December 2014.
fly down everything that moves is something else.
cisti’s to long claws, consistently day in day out,
My main goal whilst there was to network with as
I quickly ran through a few ideas in my head, what
from day two of hunting. That’s around 100 small
many short wingers as possible. I was treated to
boxes would flying a small accipiter tick. Would
birds a week – at that rate you can see the damage
many stories and methods of doing things. Sitting
life become easier?? I have a young family that
you could do with one of these flying assassins. I
with a group of Pakistani falconers, their English
includes three daughters all under 6. The idea
then decided that I had to let this guy have a go at
barely understandable but certainly better than my
started gaining momentum. I could take it on family
some true game hawking.
Pakistani, talking about their manning methods was invaluable. Manning is critical with any accipiter,
holidays as hawking grounds would be easy to find, no dog required for finding franks. The family could
Quail are by far my most favourite quarry, mainly
man it to death and then man it some more – these
come out into the veld with me and we could all
because it makes use of a good pointing dog and
guys tie a cloth around the hawks wings and its tied
partake – my wife just gave me that look when I
you get that feel of team work and what I thought
to a table in the middle of a market, this from the
mentioned that one.
was going to be some real testing flying for a little
day it was trapped and until it’ll happily eat during
musket. Once again this bird was just dynamite and
the markets busiest times. Passive manning, by
The process of finding one, I was warned, was
quail were caught on the rise or after a short tail
putting the hawk in front of a TV is another option,
difficult and you always needed some luck. Red
chase. I’ve seen him bind to a cock quail, loose
for those like me that need to work for a living.
Spars seem to have declined in KZN and many
it, get going again, rebind, loose it on the ground
active sights seem to disappear overnight. Cut a
and then fly it down in 20m to claim his prize –
Dr Andrian Lombard’s female Spar is a prime
long story short but within the first few hours of
all in about 10 seconds. It’s great to watch but
example of a well manned hawk using the waking
looking I had my prize – I’ve been called a jammy
sometimes I feel it gets to easy.
method. Sit down with him, bring a good bottle of Red and you’ll learn loads. Also go onto youtube for
git a few times. I estimate that the chicks were around 18 days old and they were socially raised.
At SAFA 2014 I met my match – Snipe. Well we
videos of how the Pakistani and Turkish Sparviters
After about a week, I moved them to a vegetable
were taught a few good lessons and this is going
train there birds from capture to catching quail in
tunnel in my garden and they learnt the skill of
to be my main goal for 2015 - to consistently
5 days.
flying and chased each other for entertainment.
catch snipe with this musket. It’s a big ask but I
After they were hard penned they tipped the scale
believe it’s possible. I came, oh so close, but no
Trains
at a massive 149g. I took favour on Chuck as he
cigar!! Hopefully by the time you reading this I’ll be
if your hawk is breaking tail feathers, ITS your
had a missing talon and I’m into quirky things. The
grinning ear to ear having achieved some success.
equipment. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wild
other musket would be flown for a few weeks and then put into a breeding project with a female.
hawk with broken tail feathers. Yes you might find In closing I’d like to encourage anyone that’s
it broken after a clash with a bigger than normal
gained the necessary skills to give a small accipiter
quarry but I can guarantee you, the damage was
Chuck was a dream to train, but required infinite
a go. Speak to the guys that have given these micro
done prior to this. What works for one hawk is a
attention to detail. Some people are lucky and this
hawks a real burn and you’ll hear tales of twists
disaster for another. One of my biggest bug bears
comes naturally. Me, I’ve had to go through the
turns, 360’s and flying through legs. They are
is guys that don’t immediately repair a broken
proverbial school of hard knocks, but having been
deadly efficient and the saying, if it flies it dies is
feather. As a short winger you need to know how
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 13
to imp and imp well. Any feather is better than no feather. Once a feather is broken it ceases to support those around it and the domino effect occurs. Get a temp in there asap. Figure out the husbandry issue, change it and you’ll be amazed that the bird that was “ hard on its tail ” suddenly stops breaking feathers. Tail guards also work a treat, especially when a bird is bouncy in a box.
Weight management I feel that we fly our birds far too sharp. I made the rookie SAFA mistake and nearly killed my first Black Spar by seeing weight reduction as the single tool in shaping behaviour. Do sprinters starve themselves for three days before competing for Olympic gold? No they don’t, through training and conditioning they slowly make progress with the final being the end race. See your accipiter in the same regard,
I’ve got a design for a tail guard that works well. Some slip over the tail bell or have a telemetry style clip.
I’m not saying there should be no weight reduction initially. I recently had the pleasure of getting my hands on a Haggard Blackspar Musket. He’d
Hooding
been in a wire cage for three days without food, had trashed himself and was a unhappy camper.
I now make every effort to hood all my accipiters
He weighed 475g. Luckily he was pretty hungry
and find that it makes your life so much easier.
and the food was irresistible. He literally flew
I can hear the chatter already, my birds so well
through training and when I released him some
manned it doesn’t need a hood – ok so lets look
ten weeks later he was 534g, chased the pigeons
at these 2 options. If your black spar has chased
I’d launched for him to the moon and back. The
and killed in the middle of a bramble bush, you’ve
point is I never reduced his weight and found other
managed to get to him, by crawling and being
solutions to problems that occurred. Admittedly,
scratched to @#$@, what now? Every bit of hard
the three days of no food prior me receiving him
work, the bond you’ve made with him, the hours of
meant he probably viewed me as the Patron Saint
manning are just about to go down the drain as you
of Hawk food. I flew him every day and he acted as
drag him backwards, tail spread, wings open out
calmly the day I released him as when he was first
of the bramble bush. Option 2 slip his hood on and
manned down. Never carried or even showed any
slowly withdraw yourself – simples!! It’s worth the
sign of that creeping into his head. He absolutely
effort. It also means that with a bit of planning you
hated, and I mean hated dogs.
can travel with the hawk in the open rather than in a stuffy box – needless to say this hood needs to
Ross wrote an article about the “Hungarbilty
fit perfectly.
Factor” and Harry McElroys 22 hour weight control in Desert Hawking explains it pretty well. Kyles
PAGE 14
Timmy MacPherson, Gareth Rowley and Dylan
Lanner that he can take out the moult and club
Freeman all make awesome hoods and will happily
Franks from day one sparked more interest and my
point you in the right direction.
own niavity in almost starving my first Black Spar.
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
I feel that we fly our birds far too sharp. I made the rookie SAFA mistake and nearly killed my first Black Spar by seeing weight reduction as the single tool in shaping behaviour.
The Trade Off A number of years ago, an apprentice of mine (there’s a saying that if you wanna learn more about a topic, teach it) wrote an article about an insane number of mynahs he caught in one morning. I remember listening to the mumblings that it was impossible. Well the truth be told, Derren had perfected the trade off to such an extent that he could remove the hawk from the quarry in an instant. The hawk never felt robbed and continued to fly mynahs until Derren had to leave. She could have caught another 20, 30 or 40. No issue. It’s really simple and works no matter what hawk you flying, from a Little Spar to a Crowned Eagle, it’s been done. It takes 2 minutes to demonstrate and I’ll happily show you. The basics are to use the pick up piece to get the bird to voluntarily release the quarry. Make in and dispatch the quarry immediately – this
3 weeks of using this method she transferred in
is best done using a pair of circlip pliers to the neck
seconds rather than a tug of war battle that lasted
at the base of the skull. You cover the quarry with
minutes.
your gloved hand and hold the pick up piece in the
Calling to the Lure The lure is an important thing as I’m sure you are aware. My observations here are that you don’t need to call the bird to the lure on the ground, its
ungloved hand. Every time the hawk bites onto the
Perches
pick up piece you raise it as she lifts her head,so
I’m still undecided about which perch is best
the lure and then move the lure into the gloved
that it gets no meat. You’ll feel the first foot release
for shortwings but the standard bow properly
hand, in one motion. Another thing is to always and
its grip, and she’ll move it to try secure the pick up
constructed is hard to beat. One thing I must say
I mean always reward for the lure return. I made a
piece. Don’t allow her to grab it. Continue the lifting
is that if your bird bates its for a reason. Some,
small lure out of neoprene for the musket Red Spar
motion with the pick up piece and the other foot
especially late passage birds and the haggard I
to protect his delicate toes – works a treat.
will soon follow. It sounds complicated but spend
flew absolutely bate themselves silly. I built a loop
the initial extra time. Very quickly she’ll learn that
perch 6 foot off the ground and he rarely bated.
The above is just my observations, I’m sure others
resistance is futile and it gets to a point that you
Height gives spars security. Again its all about
do things differently, some will improve on them
could practise catch and release!! I’d like to take
observation and solving the issue.
and others scoff at them. If you take anything away
credit for this one but Ross and Scmegal (KZN’s
just pretty stupid in my view. Much better to swing
from it, its that observation and questioning will
infamous Club Goshawk) helped me come up with
Mark Cook makes some lekker bows so be sure to
only improve the way you do things. Rather have
it. Shcmegal had been used and abused by many
check if he has any. The ring must flow freely over
21 years experience than 1 years experience 21
club members in their initial intro to falconry so she
the astro and Mark has solved this issue nicely.
times!!
held onto her quarry like nobodies business. After
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 15
There I was just minding my own business in the
had stipulated that I had 30kgs of luggage as she
at the next available turn around precede another
backwoods of Mpumalanga when THAT call came
would have packed a tent and camping chairs,
4kms and turn right. This led us to an excavation
through. The voice on the other end asked me
but she knew that I couldn’t take the gas braai!
site with loads of trucks. All the while now we had
if I would be willing to give up three weeks of
Oh and lest I forget two goodie bags were added
come off the highway and were bumping along on
my life, leave the old “trouble and strife” to her
for son and I consisting of kit kats and bar ones
what could politely be called a dirt track. The road
own devices and help to train some eagles. It got
in case we got hungry whilst braving the perils of
gradually worsened and the driver began frantically
better as I was told I would be in the company of
being in the desert.
calling on his cell phone for help. At this point we
falconers from all over the world and the cherry
three wise men decided to take over and told the
on the cake would be that my son, Ben McAllister
The days to departure just dragged on but finally
hapless driver to follow a fence we had stumbled
from Poland was also going to be there. This
it was time to drive to Joburg and board the
upon. Lo and behold there in the distance was
chance of a lifetime was fully sponsored and
plane to Abu Dhabi. A wonderful flight, not that
what appeared to be a domed structure. The driver
music to an old pensioner’s ears. So in an instant
I had any to compare with. The hostesses were
suddenly broke into a smile as he recognised it to
I gracefully, well if the truth be known, I bloody
pleasing on the eye and more importantly of all
be some sheik’s car museum. Help was at hand,
gratefully accepted the offer, it was a no brainer
the take-off equalled the landing...one all .There
all was not lost we could go there and ask for
to refuse. I would be staying in a desert camp
to meet me at 6.30was my son. He had arrived
directions. So once again we changed our route
somewhere in the United Arab Emirates and all
four hours earlier but had to turn back to the
only to come across some very imposing gates
I knew about that country was that there were
airport as his journey to the desert camp had to
manned by some fierce looking heavily armed
sheiks, camels, oil and no corner bottle stores
be abandoned due to the fact that the driver had
guards. Rifles pointed at our vehicle, we were
to buy the occasional beer, but I could go cold
no idea where he was going. We waited for a third
ordered to stop and then the games began.
turkey, after all it was only twenty-one days, so I
member of our “eagle handler” party to arrive
would survive!
from Holland, and at 9.00am Willem Vrijenhoek
At last we thought that help was in sight. We
walked through the arrival gates. A travel agent
should be so lucky, but the gods were not looking
Armed with what I thought would be the
gathered us together and handed us over to our
kindly down on us. We were ordered to stay in the
essentials required to handle these eagles,
Pilipino chauffeur. Waiting outside was a black
car whilst one of the Nepalese soldiers telephoned
,jesses, leather, crimping tools along with all the
air-conditioned limousine. Was this really for us,
his commanding officer for instructions. All this
other paraphernalia that I could think of, I was
wow not a bit like our taxis in RSA? So we got in
time we were not allowed to vacate the car and
ready for the off even though I had four weeks to
and prepared for the comfortably luxurious ride to
I would have given up anything, even the lovely
departure time.
an unknown destination.
wife. To be allowed to urinate but my pleas
Much to the better half’s dismay the lounge
We proceeded along a palm tree lined eight lane
also knew that I could not argue with an M 6
looked like a falconry emporium, but as of
highway. After several kilometres my son pointed
Carbine pointed at the limo’s window. After an
old, I chose to ignore all the innuendos about
out that his previous driver, six hours earlier;
hour an officer appeared and all our luggage,
tripping up on the bits and pieces scattered
had been travelling in a 180 degree different
cameras and cell phones were confiscated. We
over the carpet, switched off the hearing aid and
direction to the one we were going. At this point we
then had to follow their convoy along yet another
continued to add to the piles of really important
suggested that he phone his head office and ask
rocky road to their headquarters. By this time my
equipment. But all did not go my way as darling
for directions. After all we knew why Moses had
predicament had been noted and with eyeballs
insisted on packing my bags with presents for
cocked around in the desert for forty years caus he
floating I was allowed to relieve myself.
the grandkids and their folks back in Poland. To
hadn’t asked for directions and we were not about
add to all this she put in clothes, socks and other
to repeat that mistake. We were told to proceed
After going through three military checkpoints, all
boring bits of apparel. Thank goodness the airline
along the highway till we saw a radio tower and
manned my machineguns; we reached the heart
were ignored or just simply not understood. I
PAGE 16
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
WORDS BY GEORGE
MCALLISTER
of some sort of military base. As we stepped out
Our attempts at answering just frustrated every
play. We arrived at our destination nine hours
of our fancy car, loudspeakers started chanting
one and we were not satisfying our captors until
after landing in the UAE. If the truth be known
some sombre Imam across the whole complex.
Willem came to the rescue. His brainwave was
we really were not the worse for wear after our
At this point we realised that we were way out
to ask to have his cell phone back to illustrate a
misadventure and were thankful that we did not
of our depth and the mood turned surreal real
point. He scrolled through and showed the panel
land up being BANGED UP IN DARBS.
quick as we looked at each other with puppy
photos of his hawks simultaneously pointing to
eyes pleading in vain for some moral support.
Ben and me to indicate that we also had hawks.
PS
Apparently we had arrived just in time for prayer
A real light bulb moment, after a brief silence
Why you may ask did this happen, well in our
time. We were escorted to what can only be
one of the military men, Captain Jumaa Alqubari,
ignorance we had stumbled upon a sensitive
described as an interrogation room. Our driver at
then showed us photos on his phone, Eureka,
military base which so happened to be next to an
this point was on the verge of an anxiety attack
he also had a picture of a hawk. He immediately
oil field. Limos with three foreigners in them were
and was mentally packing his bags back to the
knew what our true mission was, we were going,
highly suspicious and not welcome!
Philippines, he had never before had nightmare
or at this stage, trying to attend the 3rd Annual
passengers like us. Our frame of mind was quite
Falconry Festival.
the opposite, after all we were innocents abroad
Our long suffering driver Anval did not lose his job as Ben contacted his employers and explained
and our only crime was that we were fools who
What a turn around that was, smiles and
that he was merely following our directions so
had rushed in where angels feared to tread! Our
handshakes all around. This was immediately
he was absolved of any responsibility for what
‘cool ‘ mode was soon put to the test. Our panel
followed by one of the “generals” snapping his
occurred
of interrogators sat in a row behind a long table.
fingers, roaring a command that sounded like”
Several high ranking military men and some very
RAM< RAM “ and a feast appeared. This was not
In the days that followed our adventure sign posts
solemn looking military types glared down on
a sheep as the word suggested but a table was
were erected to show the way to the camp.
us... Thoughts flashed through my mind, would
brought in laden with cakes, dates, sweets, tea,
my falconry club bail me out but we only had a
coffee and an array of other treats I had never
My time spent at the festival was an amazing
few thousand rand in the bank? How about SAFA,
seen before. We were then instructed to help
experience and I got to see and handle eagles
oh I wished that I had kept quiet at the AGM and
ourselves. So with no hesitation we set about
I had only ever seen in books. The organisation
instead of rocking boats, made more friends?
stuffing ourselves silly. It was a combination
of the festival was faultless, the hospitality
of genuinely being starving as it was now
was outstanding. I have nothing but praise for
And so the questions began, one after the other:
early afternoon, and if we were honest, we had
our Emeriti hosts, an excellent venue and great
Why were we in that area?
expended a bit of extra nervous energy during our
activities were arranged for us guests. My eternal
Answer: we do not know
ordeal. All through our feasting we bombarded by
thanks also go to Dr Adrian Lombard and to Dr
Who did we work for?
apologies from our captors now turned wonderful
Nick Fox for enabling me to go to Abu Dhabi. Not
Answer: ourselves
hosts. Our appetites sated we were then
forgetting all the other wonderful people I met,
How did we know how to get where we were?
allocated an armed escort to the desert camp.
but special mention goes to my fellow eagle
Answer: we do not know
The journey back was hair rising, we had to keep
handlers Gordon { USA } Steve { UK} Willem {
Do you know what this area is?
up and follow their fancy four x four vehicles at
Holland] and Ben {Poland } the latter two were my
Answer: we do not know
a speed of 180kms an hour. On a track that a
prospective cell mates !!!!!
Who had sent us?
donkey would stumble on. Also by now my bowels
Answer: we do not know
took a turn to make themselves felt so once again
What organisation did we represent?
my powers of mind over matter had to come into
Answer: we do not know
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 17
WORDS BY SHANE PAGE 18
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
MCPHERSON
For the last three years I have been researching
with high fledgling success. The breeding
the phenomenon of Durbans’ Crowned Eagle
productivity will be analysed and reported on in
population (at the University of KZN). The
the coming year to compliment the GPS tracking
Photo 2. ‘Victoria’ about to lift off at the Victoria
MSc thesis was accepted (cum laude) which
results and complete the requirements of the
Country Club nest. The eaglet is nine days old.
precipitated an upgrade to PhD on which I am
PhD.
The nest is sitting on top of an artificial platform
currently still working on. SAFA and members of
with resident pairs.
– put in place in 2012 after their natural nest
the NFC have been integral in the support and
One
success of this project, in particular with SAFA’s
unanswered. Currently, juvenile survival in this
vital
piece
of
the
picture
remains
site collapsed.
sponsorship of GPS tracking units. The last of
population appears at most risk from persecution,
Photo 3. Nests occur in a range of indigenous
five transmitters fell silent in December 2014.
electrocution, and collisions with lines windows
and exotic trees. Blue Gum trees offer important
This aspect of the research has provided a robust
and cars – all anthropogenic impacts. It will be
nest sites apparently due to their radial branching
dataset of the movements and habitat selection
important in the future to assess the impact of
structure, rapid growth, and tall stature. The
of four urban adult eagles and one adult in the
juvenile mortality for the long term survival of
tallest nest in this gum in Hilton is 41 meters up
sugarcane lands on Durban’s north coast.
the population, and to identify threats to attempt
a 62m high tree (I was unable to get a climbing
to reduce losses e.g. to electrocutions. This can
line in a safe position to reach the nest).
During the first three years we have successfully
best be achieved with the use of PTT solar-
executed a nest camera study to show that wildlife
transmitters fitted to an adequate sample of (i.e.
Photo 4. Indigenous trees are typically shorter
accounts for the majority of the diet, mitigating
ten) juveniles.
and more irregularly shaped than Bleu Gum trees;
negative perceptions eagles that occasionally
Ongoing updates of the research are shared at
the nest here in the largest of the indigenous
prey on pets. Another interesting outcome was to
facebook.com/CrownedEagleResearch
trees is 18 m up a 27m high Cape Ash.
show that of 21 nest sites in Durban, Blue Gums are an important nesting tree. Half of all nests
Photo
1.
the
Photo 5. Thus far 54 nestlings have been
occur in Blue Gum and this raises an interesting
movements of four adult eagles during a three
tagged with coded colour rings. Maintaining
conflict between alien plant eradication and the
month period. White circles show the predicted
public awareness and enthusiasm for reporting
protection of indigenous raptor nests. There are
home range of all known nesting pairs in this
ring resightings will provide an opportunity to
now 65 nests monitored annually in the scope of
urban landscape. The estimated home range is c.
investigate individual movements and survival for
my study area with many nests active annually
10km2, and the environment appears saturated
decades to come.
1
3
Preliminary
results
showing
2
4
5
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 19
WORDS BY DIRK
D
uring the first few years of the last decade
set wings in a shallow dive. At first I threw a stone
step away from the swinging lure association that
of the previous century I flew a small
to flush the doves, this triggered a stoop and as
the falcon learned during basic training) and the
Lanner passage tiercel (trapped weight
the doves scattered I shouted to keep them from
desired behaviour (flying back at height to the
410g) against doves for three years. (Wow, I
breaking back. Usually he was too high in the first
waiting falconer). If we think carefully there are
always wanted to start a story in this way !) I was
stoop to be effective, and this served more to
many ways we can use such bridging signals or
in private practice east of Pretoria at the time
scare the doves or isolate the occasional stupid,
insert conditioned behaviour during our falconry
so the only open period in a tight work schedule
young dove that did not follow the example of
activities.
was midday, between 12h00 and 15h00, which
more experienced doves and flew alone away into
meant soaring conditions on most days. My time
the wide open. Subsequent stoops were from a
The pick-up routine is another good example
constraints forced me to fly always at the same
lesser altitude and more effective for the typical
where conditioned behaviour, always done in
spot, an open area with some Syringa trees and
Lanner chop at this very elusive quarry.
a specific sequence, can make the difference
thorn bushes, surrounded by maize lands. The
PAGE 20
VERWOERD
between a smooth, professional action and a
setup was perfect as there were a huge number
The order of actions changed at some stage,
risky, confrontational situation. Small prey, easily
of doves & pigeons every day that flushed into the
without thinking about it at the time, so that
carried, requires a careful approach, and the
isolated trees the moment they saw the feared
it became a shout, then the stoop, and only a
ritual established with bigger prey items or during
falcon shape, allowing me to choose the right
second or two later, when he was at full speed,
lure training can often be the key. After catching
moment for a flush, again and again and again.
the throw & flush of doves. In other words he
any prey a raptor is for a few minutes under an
started stooping on my shout, with no flying doves
adrenalin spell, where even the tamest bird will
We had 10 or 20 stoops every day before success,
as trigger, as he was confident on what would
respond in fight (eagles! and certain female big
with on average three strikes/pulled feathers for
follow. This made us much more successful as a
falcons) or flight (all the rest) when you or the
every kill. This falcon taught me many important
team, and the kill number climbed steadily. This
dogs advance too quickly or too close. Respect
principles, the first being that one should choose
tiny difference showed me that one can “teach”
this and allow the the falcon to kill its quarry.
your hunting opportunity so that it is so attractive
(condition) the falcon to exhibit natural behaviour
I like to wait until they have eaten the head,
for your falcon that he/she do not even consider
one step removed from the natural trigger. We use
roused, and started plucking. This is a predator-
leaving. Almost every day wild Lanners came
the same principle to call falcons with a waving
prey bonding process that we as humans often
to join the party, and after a season, as an
hand, glove or cap or flashing light to come over
rush, and especially where ducks or other large
intermewed bird, Rapaz broke away from hunting
for the flush of gamebirds on point or ducks on
prey items are concerned we should allow
and first chased away any passage falcons from
a dam. During training this behaviour is usually
ample time; e.g complete plucking, in the first
“his” area , then came back very high for the next
stimulated with a flapping pigeon / shaken dead
kills so that the desirability of the particular kill
session. Once focussed on you as a worthwhile
pigeon, and gradually it becomes a hand signal.
is stamped indelibly in the falcon’s mind. With
partner, Lanners remain very steady , even
What we are really doing is to insert a transition
Rapaz I developed a way where a fresh, opened
soaring at tremendous heights right above you. I
signal (can really be anything visible/audible
dove carcass tied to his lure, thrown next to him,
could normally discern when the first minutes of
to the falcon) between the natural response to
enticed him to step off his dove kill. Every time he
fun flying was over as he came towards me with
a meal offer (the flapping pigeon is already a
would get that faraway look in his eyes or show
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
“...Now, with prey in both feet, she tumbled to the ground...”
nervousness, I could, from a distance that he
that a falcon can easily interpret as an effort
her foot she was standing on. Now, with prey in
was comfortable with (about 3m or leash length),
to steal his hard won meal. Something similar
both feet, she tumbled to the ground and we were
move the carcass between his talons and so focus
worked for me a few years ago when I flew a
more or less in the standard pickup situation we
his attention again on eating rather than flying
passage African Hawkeagle female as a longterm
had practised so many times before, during lure
away. Slowly I could then move in, on my knees,
rehab project. We were hunting guinea fowl in
training as well as on kills ranging from Hadeda
running the leash through my glove, eventually
a particular valley where she had caught a few
Ibises, Swainson’s Francolins and halfgrown
lifting lure, dove and falcon, all together onto
before, so she knew exactly what the plan was.
Guinea Fowls.
my fist. Only then would he be tied down while
On this particular day the flock had a number of
eating on the fist, and in the process I could also
pullets and they bombshelled, scattering in all
Most falconers have busy schedules and often
remove the lure. Years later, at the turn of the
directions in response to some thrown rocks.
have to rush home or make special arrangements
century, flying a tiercel passage Barbary falcon
The eagle flew rapidly from her perch and calmly
to fly in the short days of midwinter. A small
(430g) also at doves, this time around Bedouin
plucked a pullet from the air right in front of me.
delay in traffic or similar frustrations every now
camps in the Dubai desert, I employed the same
She just kept flying with the ball of grey feathers
and then ruin an afternoon of training or hunting
methods. A Gyr Peregrine tiercel I flew at ducks
clasped in one crooked hand*, disappearing into
flights that was planned. In frustration we then
during the first few years of this century caught a
the eucalyptus plantation ahead. Nothing good
just feed the bird on the fist and drink another
snipe opportunistically against the dam wall after
can usually come from a situation such as this,
whiskey, hoping for better luck the next day.
slamming a duck into the water and once again
but this time lady luck smiled at me and somehow
Several years ago, working in the corporate world
the lure transfer technique saved the day. This
Murphy blundered. I found the the eagle by
and often times the victim of Gauteng traffic, I
happened a few times with this particular falcon.
following her bells, no need for telemetry. She
realised that there must be a more productive
was balancing precariously with one foot wrapped
way of handling this situation.
Some American falconers flying merlins at
around a thin branch about 5m from the ground
starlings/sparrows use a stick with something
in an area of young trees. Any attempt from me
I placed a spotlight strategically in my garden
sharp, like bent hooks, at the end to pin the
to climb or shake the tree would cause her to fly
and started to repeat basic training exercises on
quarry beneath the falcon as they move in for
into a nearby large eucalypt, and I could see her
the lawn on these occasions. Jump ups, call to
the pickup. This allows the falconer to prevent
already contemplating that option as I drew near.
the lure etc, all on a creance. This conditioned
carrying when they enter the “flight zone”
I always carry utility nylon string, about 15m (this
the bird to follow the correct actions even in
distance. A glove garnished with a freshly
is actually my creance during training also) with
the dark / in a beam of light and prepared her
plucked and opened sparrow or small quail is
me in my hunting jacket, so I quickly tied a live
for a situation where I had to retrieve her from
then used to transfer the merlin from the kill
quail, intended as a fresh pickup piece later, to
a building, tree or pole at night by the light of
to the fist. Any of these or similar techniques
this string. I knew I had only seconds before she
a strong flashlight or the lights of my bakkie.
aim to transfer the falcon from its kill to a more
bolted, so swung the quail up against her feet,
This preventative training saved several nervous
controllable (for the falconer) and more desirable
she could not resist this offering, followed her
nights and early morning tracking/retrieving
(for the falcon) situation in contrast to actions
instinctive response and grabbed the quail with
sessions over the years.
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 21
WORDS BY ANTON
MULLER
I trapped her at the end of April 2014 that
months of easy pickings can do to a young falcon
was increased to about thirty meters until she
would make her a late passage in the southern
in this forming period. This is just theory that one
could be trusted with the pick-up. This procedure
hemisphere season where one starts seeing
can indulge into when you have the privilege of
was repeated in different locations. She was never
passage lanners as early as January. Her
trapping passages for falconry.
called to a lure or jumped to a fist whilst in training.
plumage was faded by the sun and her primaries
For free flight I waited for the perfect day; slight
was worn but still in good condition, three adult
I trapped her using a dho-ghasa. When the vehicle
breeze and sunny ten o clock in the morning. I took
plumage feathers was visible on the back which
was about 100 meters away she folded in a stoop
her to a big open fallow field, where I was able
could indicate that she comes from way further
straight at the net. She was caught on the first
to drive in any direction for at least a kilometer,
up North where the breeding season starts
stoop. I hooded her and started my inspection
this for making sure I can have her vertical above
earlier. She was trapped on the very same farm
back at the cottage. She was a big female with
should she drift off. When the hood was struck
where I hunted the sandgrouse mostly. This is
nice feet, but her tail was a bit long for my liking
she took to the air within seconds, it appeared as
open grassland area far from a city or town. I
and her plumage was dull, not the prettiest lanner
if she missed flying as she powered up to the sky.
was entertaining a theory of trapping a falcon
around. I weighed her the afternoon at home, she
Then she set her wings and started gliding on the
far away from the myriads of doves and pigeons
was 740 grams. I decided to keep her.
rising air. In a matter of about two minutes she
close to towns where many falcons congregate
was approaching a pitch of a 1000 foot. I waved
because of the abundance of prey. This over
From the onset of her training I could see she
my cap, shouted, and at the same time shook a
abundance of prey can develop hunting habits in
was a feisty female. She only took food on the
dead pigeon in my hand and threw it as far as I
the falcons, which is not favoured qualities for a
glove on day three. I followed a watered down
could. She stooped down grabbed the pigeon and
gamehawk. Like waiting at the fields for prey to
version of Ed Pitchers training methods. After
tried to fly off. I had a hard time making in and
arrive rather than actively seeking prey on the
eating from a pigeon carcass on the glove, I
had to wait until she was feeding. The problem
wing, or hunting from a sitting position on pylons
coaxed her to jump from the glove to a pigeon
though with these passages is that they can eat
and only catching the easiest available prey.
carcass on the floor. After she ate a half crop
a crop full in no time. But I managed to get her
Numerous low exertion half-hearted attempts
on the carcass I would then carefully pick her
back on the glove. A routine was installed where
can be executed from these positions of which
up, with a big tasty pick-up piece on the glove
she would climb to a thousand feet or more, was
most are unsuccessful and the falcon would still
and let her finish her meal on the glove. This
showed a waving hand and get served.
get prey for the day for another opportunity will
procedure was repeated daily indoors, with
present itself shortly. While a falcon roaming the
the distance to the pigeon carcass gradually
open country with a low prey density has to catch
increased to 10 meters over a couple of days.
whatever is available: easy or difficult prey; big
Outside on the creance the distance was
Skyfall proved to be deadly on pigeons, by coming
and small, and this she would have to go find
shortened again and the weight dropped but
down from great pitch and retaining speed for a
on the wing. The attack has to be with serious
the same procedure was followed. When she
strike was a great method to counter the familiar
intend and persistent as another opportunity at
progressed to a distance of 10 meters outside I
roll of the pigeons. This success made me
predation may not present itself for an extended
tied a fishing line to the pigeon carcass to create
optimistic on her chances on sandgrouse.
period of time. If one bear in mind how quickly
some movement to fix her attention. Every time
a gamehawk in training learns a hunting pattern
great care was taken when making in and the rest
From my vehicle I spotted a covey of sandgrouse
like waiting-on, one can imagine what four
of the meal was taken on the glove. The distance
feeding in a pan with hardly any cover on. I
Namaqua Sandgrouse
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 23
mentally marked the spot, reversed about 200
falconers me included would be less keen to
m away and prepared for cast-off. Behind the
fly this type. However this lanner proved this
vehicle I struck the braces and let Skyfall face into
prejudice to be silly. She was able to climb high
the wind, she glanced and flew off. She climbed
in the sky without thermals. Her stoops were hard
into the wind away from the sitting sandgrouse,
and serious and the strikes like that of a golf iron.
I started walking towards the sandgrouse on the
She took sandgrouse far better than any other
vehicle tracks keeping my eye on the falcon. At a
falcon I have ever flown including peregrines. In
height of 200 ft she turned downwind, the wind
the level flight she demonstrated great speed by
took her halfway back over me but she turned for
flying down doves over harvested fields, much to
another climbing circle. I had to quicken my pace
my dismay that had a covey of partridge lined up
to be ready with the flush another turn and she
for a great flight.
was approaching a height of 400 ft and getting close to a vertical position above me. I rushed in
This female Lanner that I have surprised me once
for the flush but nothing took to the air. I had to
again in the sense of the highflying sport they can
steady my nerves and excitement, find the hawk
offer and their hunting capabilities. Unfortunately
and work out where the grouse were sitting. I
many falconers haven’t experienced this, for
looked up and saw skyfall not in circling flight
this reaon I will offer my humble advice as the
but waiting on now at 600 ft. With the falcon in
following:
position I turned my attention to the sandgrouse. I checked my markers and the line of my approach,
• Trap a late passage the earliest beginning of
it was all good the grouse should be right here.
April. You will find them a lot harder to train but
And sure enough as soon as I spotted one
the effort is worth it.
crouching 10m away from me, five sandgrouse took to the air. I looked up to meet the stooping
• Don’t beak the spirit of the lanner, by reducing
falcon already halfway down. She leveled out and
it to a beggar that jumps to your fist multiple
I held my breath. A ripping sound and when my
times. To train it to know that it can feed itself
mind processed the event a sandgrouse was in
by catching a lure is all the same. Rather let it
her feet and a stream of feathers was flying in the
jump from your fist to a pigeon carcass close
wind. She flew to a barren spot and started eating
by first and start feeding, then as a servant you
the head. I was elated the first attempt on a
offer a plucked tasty meal on your glove as the
sandgrouse was successful, Skyfall you beauty!!
convenience of a perch. You will have to lure your
This was the first sandgrouse of a hattrick.
falcon in from time to time in the field, use a realistic lure. But try to keep it to the minimum as
She proved to be the most successful falcon
the following point will explain.
on sandgrouse to date for me. With a roughly estimated success rate of 1/3 through the
• The only way the falcon can retain its passage
season. Skyfall entertained me with incredible
nature is by hunting for itself with your help of
stoops from great pitches and strikes that could
course. So every effort must be made to get the
be heard from great distances. She binded the
falcon hunting as soon as possible. This puts the
first one but killed all the other with strikes that
duty on you as the falconer to flush quarry in the
send the grouses cart wheeling in the air or
setups where hunting success will be imminent
across the dirt.
and the falcon is in a position to have a very good chance. Lanners has the ability to figure out the
At the SAFA fieldmeet skyfall caught her first
easiest way of doing things including to feed
partridge, she didn’t need any encouragement
themselves. So watch out that your lanner is not
to take partridge. She proved to be deadly on
training you.
them and swainsons franccolin and took a couple through her short season all were first striked
This is just some broad guidelines that worked
down and then taken on the ground. I think a
for me you will have to apply the in your own
pointer and female lanner can offer tremendous
environment.
sport on gamebirds, and if only more falconers can be helped to get such a team together they will have excellent trouble free sport. I would classify Skyfall as one of the more buoyant type, less peregrine like lanners. Most
Happy Lanner Hawking
Mpumalanga Falconry Club Report
WORDS BY PAT
MCALISTARE
We are a very little club in terms of membership but very big in spirit. All our members had what you could call a “gap” year last season as work commitments had to take preference for George, Charles and Marile. This season started off on a more positive note by us hosting an educational seminar chiefly aimed at our younger members of the club, interest was shown by members of other clubs and we had a good response and input from our own members. The topics covered included: nutrition, innovative ways of making jesses, Charles’s lecture on “puppy rearing “ which was most informative, .pigeon care and breeding, imping and repair of feathers, practical demonstrations on other subjects such as making anklets and a field exercise using telemetries .We also had two videos, one on hood making and a slide show of George’s visit to Abu Dhabi. A social braai was held on the Saturday night and more practical’s were done on the following day. We welcomed a new member Chris Whit stock at this get together. On a sad note we unfortunately lost a valued honourable member and friend. Andries Pienaar was the man responsible for all matters related to National Parks and in his capacity as a senior member of the Parks board he gave our club his special attention and assistance in all matters related to the issuing of permits. We should like to express our condolences to his wife and family. This season promises to be a more active one with George flying his old faithful peregrine, Charles and Marile are flying peregrine tiercels cast, Stephen flying a peregrine and the school kids an African Goshawk and a Jackal Buzzard. See their separate report. We are confident that we can revitalise our club and hope to have a good attendance at this year’s SAFA meet.
Penryn College Falconry Report
WORDS BY GRANT
CARSTENS
The Penryn College Falconry club is hoping to make this year’s season just as exciting and successful as before. • Ockert Botha has just picked up his once intermewed passage female African goshawk from the moult. • Ryan Schreuder has been training his haggard female jackal buzzard with success. • Kevin Chandler has begun the process of dropping his 5 year old imprint musket African Goshawk after a long moult. • Grant Carstens has just begun hunting with his 2 year old imprint female African goshawk with success. • Megan Martins is beginning the journey from the start: training and manning her haggard female African Goshawk.
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 25
Natal Falconry Club Report
WORDS BY ROSS
KRAMM
So 2014 to 2015, What have the boys been up to, who
then. 24 is the number. Well so much for dreams and
and collected. “Watch when I flap my cap she will come
is flying what and how many birds are ending in the bag
challenges.
over” and then she bloody well does.
Some of you old buggers may remember a chap called
Elton Arnott with his 3 or 4-year-old passage Perri has
First, it is important to understand that anyone
Greg Mc Bay, well yes he is still a recluse living the
blown most of my theories on weight management and
practicing falconry in this province must either have a
dream of flying birds everyday a getting paid to so. He
flying on speck. I’ve seen his bird mount to a 1000
good inheritance they are living off or be prepared to
has been stretching some lanners wings and of late, has
ft., stoop a long claw, miss, remount, stoop a quail,
spend their kids inheritance on fuel and travel costs.
started a hacked peri female. She takes massive pitch,
remount. Again and again while we walk the dogs below.
as would be expected in Greg’s hands and is taking
45 minutes is no problem for her and if a frank can be
Durban and the surrounds don’t hold any sustainable
anything that decides to get of the water below her.
found, it gets bound to in good style. She is super fit,
numbers of francolin or duck. A 300km drive gets you
Darryl Tweedy, also living in the berg has his Gyr cross
fat and so well in tune with Elton it is something to see.
to where things start to happen. The Durban crew’s
finally with the program and I suspect there will be a lot
Now our Pretty boy with the golden touch, Kyle Solms.
training field is a postage stamp surrounded, on one
of duck breasts frying in a pan soon.
He’s finally become a man and tied the knot this
as opposed to laughing at us as they speed over the hill.
side by a massive squatter camp and on the other a
season!! The ladies at the bar can breathe a sigh of
cliff, that will take about an hour to get around. And
Bruce Padbury has been making a pig of himself again
relief. His trusted bus of a lanner is now into her 10th
this is the best training site. Some of the guys fly on
as usual. Working most days with a falcon and dog in
year and still clubs any franks that dare to get off the
sports fields and any piece of open ground they can
the back of the Van. His Passage ended well last year.
ground below her. She no longer does duck, as I think
find. With this, as a backdrop to our falconry foundation,
This year she went from creance to selfy photos in about
Kyle is starting to retire her and she is flying about 50g
one would expect bellow average birds and very few
4 days. We can always rely on Bruce to add 5 or 6 to
overweight. This year he has picked up a special little
kills in the bag. However, nothing could be further from
the SAFA bag.
turbo. I don’t think I have ever seen a bird fly like this.
the truth.
PAGE 26
(Except for my own of course). He mounts to a speck like Stuart Pringle last year was every small bird’s nightmare
he is chasing bees in front of him. He is worth watching
Somehow the guys manage to lie and cheat their way to
with a little male imprint red spar that had massive
if you get the chance. This is how you want a bird to fly.
better hunting grounds on a regular basis. Somehow the
brass, you know what’s and tried to club anything that
Orange River seems to be looking for parking under him.
birds seem to know the difference and usually perform
moved. This year he has gone over to the other side and
Our resident farmer boy and the only one really living
and do what they where born to do. I could be mistaken
trained his first long wing. Unfortunately she mounts to
in duck heaven, Gareth Rowley. He is getting a freshly
and of course no one is counting but I think the NFC
a speck and is as disciplined as a well-trained dog. I’m
trapped lanner going. She seems to love the franks but
has left the past 4 or 5 SAFA meets with the biggest
sure the falconry Gods have a sick sense of humor. It’s
seems to be holding back on the duck. Just a question
bag. As I write this the sms group chats are abuzz with
no fun watching a chap with his first long wing sitting a
of time with the 30257 duck dams he has in walking
predictions and challenges. So lets put it in writing
km away at about 2000 ft. in a thermal and he is calm
distance from home. I’m flying a fresh Passage and she
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
has just got with the program. It has taken 2 months
justice and the odd swainson is also fair game. These
Warren Stone, another young man lost to the world, has
though. Mostly because she was being flown 80g
mad chaps think nothing of leaving to hunt at 8pm and
just picked up his first gos. Under the watchful eye of
overweight. Now I recon anything that flies true will be
return at 4am exhausted but with big smiles on their
Rowan, this should humping soon.
in my frying pan soon. My 4th year Gyr cross is being
faces.
worked hard to get some massive pitch in preparation
Ashton Musgrave has had a very busy season too.
for the sand grouse that elude me year after year. That’s
Greg West will be doing the same soon and has been
Unfortunately busy for the wrong reasons – work
the long wing bunch.
flying a very nice female gos he has had for a few years.
commitments have meant that he’s only been able to do
20 mynahs for her in a morning is no mean feat. Steve
the odd rehab bird. We wish Ashton well for his wedding
Andre Van Sitert having also done the long wing thing
Laurence is about to take up his hand me down Black
to be held on the 4 July.
last year, has decided to concentrate on his Musket
spar for its second season - that should be the business.
Black spar. The spar is a bit of a perpetual moulter and
Garth and Ryan Lee are a father and son team flying an
All in all we’ve got some great birds and we’ve had
has had him pulling his hair out. Hopefully this year the
Af Gos. Very nice to see but I’m not quite sure what good
some great hunting, more importantly a really great
birds cycle is sorted and we can see some more good
parent would encourage his children to do falconry. That
bunch of guys and now 2 girls. We have a great team
flying from him. Rowan Mattig and Graham Berry are
being said Rowan Mattig has finally relented and his
spirit and watch that SAFA bag count this year. Stop
our Harris fanatics. They do the rabbit hunting good
two girls will soon be doing us all proud too I’m sure.
making it so easy for us.
Cape Falconry Club Report
WORDS BY DR
EDMUND OETTLE
This year was unusual in that it has been the only year where 2 AGM’s have followed each other without a hunting season in between. Achievements: Good communication with Cape Nature, with the re-instatement of the wild take. This was due to the overwhelming response by members to submit their nest records, and CN were clearly pleased with the data. The quota was changed to reflect better the needs of the club, namely the peregrines were increased, and the lanners were decreased. Communication with the BFC was initiated, we had a meeting to discuss areas of mutual concern, and talk of uniting the clubs was made. However, Wehahn does not think this will take place just yet. Riaz created a new email for the club that is owned by the club and not by any individual. The correspondence that goes there will be available to all future committees. This is due to the problems that were caused by not having access to the records on the old Gmail account, and so past decisions were unknown. This complicated the committee’s task enormously, but nevertheless we have overcome this, and have ensured that this will not happen again. Members are motivated again to get involved with projects, be they nest records, observations, etc. I was swamped with records when I sent out the request, which is very encouraging as it means that the majority of the members trust that their data is safe with the committee, and will be kept confidential, and that no one will steal their nests or chicks without their consent. The black spar nest project has started up again, and hopefully the preliminary data will be supplemented by new data this season, making the project worthwhile to write up. Grading’s: Mo and Michael both passed their tests, and are awaiting their equipment and mews and experience before grading to Novice.
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 27
North West Hawking Club Report
WORDS BY DYLAN
FREEMAN
This year was another rather slow one for the North West Hawking Club but the upcoming season is promising to be fantastic. As always we ensure ethical and quality falconry is promoted as well as practiced in the province, thus ensuring our ability to continue this fine art and make the most from our hawks and quarry. We are lucky to have good flying locations stocked with good quarry and as a result will be kept busy attempting to get the most out of falconry in the province. Dylan Freeman, I will be flying a male Lanner Falcon as well as an African Goshawk and also toying with my Rock Kestrel I use in shows but has taken to hunting so I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t discourage herâ&#x20AC;Ś I also have a Black Eagle I work, but have not taken quarry as yet but working on it. Looking forward to the season ahead and been a great start so hoping to be in full swing for the SAFA meet. Johan Smith worked his female Black Sparrow Hawk and waiting for her to complete the moult then will get her back into the swing of things again. He also has taken up a fresh passage Lanner that he has done well with so far and I am sure it will keep him busy in the hawking to follow, he has had many work commitments but is structuring his hawking around this and at this stage of the early season he is doing really well. Adri Du Toit slowed down her hawking season last year and her previous female African Goshawk was paired up and put into a breeding pen and they successfully bred producing a chick. This musket will be flown by Adri this season and has already showed its keenness for quarry. She has been a bit tied up with responsibilities but as all falconers know when the hawk is ready to fly we drop everything else and off a hawking we go. We have been engaging some prospective new members but due to the commitment required, many are just dipping their toes in the proverbial water. Time and consistency has caused a few to just accompany us on outings but for hard core addicts of this drug we call falconry, once it gets its grip on us there is little hope for recovery. As per usual we have engaged with our Nature Conservation Officials from the department of Rural, Environmental Agricultural Development and continue to sit in the provincial wildlife forum meetings as well as assist wherever possible and this keeps us in a good working relationship with them. We are committed to falconry and all the avenues that are connected to the sport as well as conservation in general. Falconry has become an addiction to our members and we encourage their slip into the firm grasp of this interaction between man, hawk, dog and quarry.
PAGE 28
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
Eastern Cape Falconry Club Report
WORDS BY ALAN
HARVEY
Arnold flew his Harris hawks to good effect on the guineas around PE. He also flew a female Peregrine from Lizette Beukes and an eyas Peregrine from one of the urban eyries around PE. His rehab organisation Wildline continued its good work rehabbing raptors in the Eastern Cape. Jono Arnott also flew a Harris hawk in the brush country around Kenton. His intermewed lanner was flown at Redwing francolin. Jonos nephew released his Af gos and has left the club. Bryan Reeves had a quiet season with his Af gos. Alan Harvey flew two intermewed female Peregrines, one a passage and the other a hack bird. Both took a lot of ducks of all species. The passage bird in particular killing many in the strike. They also both continued the wide and high flying style of the previous season. Mostly big water was flown which encouraged this type of flying. Two trips to campaign sandgrouse ended with only feathers but underlined the quality of this top quarry.
Boland Falconry Club Report
WORDS BY MARK
COOK
During 2014 the BFC only had 2 active falconers within our ranks namely Johan Botes and Mark Cook. It was a fairly quite season for the club. In February 2015 the club had grown to 13 members and out of those, nine are active - with a few potential new members in the queue. BFC is looking forward to the new season with new active members and new birds. A new committee was formed at our AGM and a very warm welcome goes out to the new committee namely; Francois Breedt (Chairman), Graham Sleep (Treasurer) and Mark Cook (Secretary). We also formed a BFC grading committee consisting of Hank Chalmers, Nick Aitschison and Rob Van Veen Victor Beeslaar and Christo Cruywagen will be responsible for potential new comers in outlying areas which forms part of BFCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s satellite division. This will cover areas like, George, Oudsthoorn etc.
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 29
Free State Falconry Club Report
WORDS BY ANTON
MULLER
The FSFC held its annual field meet and AGM for 2014in
In the Central part of Bloemfontein we have Bertus
the tiercel flying very nice it refused sandgrouse. He was
the district of Zastron. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see a single francolin
and Lizette Beukes. Francois van Zyl, Tim McPherson,
hacked from Antonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homestead where he stayed for a
or partridge for the entire meet but the duckhawks
Cobus Bezuidenhout and Terrence Eliott. Terrence flew a
couple of months he was later put in a pen as a future
had good opportunities. We learned a valuable lesson
passage female Lanner, he trained her to the aeroplane
breeder. Anton flew a female lanner falcon mostly on
in doing proper reconnaissance and not just rely on
and had a few close calls on partridge. The Lanner was
sandgrouse and gamebirds. Six rednecked falcons were
reports. But the company and venue was good and
a great learning curve for him and was released again.
produced of which four were hacked to wild. Steven
some good fun was had. We had a Natal falconers as
Cobus flew a Peregrine tiercel in a freestyle manner
Squires flew Peregrines on rock pigeons and his male
guests by the names of Stuart Pringle and Ross Kramm.
at his homestead with great style and success on
Crowned Hawk Eagle on hares, springhares, mongooses
Office bearers was elected as follow; Chairman -A
doves and pigeons on passage and from lonestanding
and small antelope. He produced both Peregrines and
Muller, Secretary-B Beukes, Treasurer- T Elliot.
tree setups.Tim flew his intermewed Peregrine tiercel
Rednecked falcons from his breeding project.
on doves, rock pigeons and partridge. The elusive The FSFC members is currently in three areas the East,
sandgrouse evaded them for another season, Tim
Alan Harvey and Mark Labuschagne are associated
Central and West.
hacked the tiercel back from his homestead. Francois
members from the Eastern Cape and Gauteng province
van Zyl flew his male African Hawk Eagle on fur and
respectively.
In the East we find Trevor Oertel in the town of Vrede,
feather from fist and pitch with great success. Hares,
Ernst and his son Eurhun du Plooy in Frankfort and Adolf
groundsquirrels, francolin, guinefowl and duck has been
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our
Krogman also in the town of Frankfort. Trevor runs a
taken by Atilla. He also flew a Rednecked falcon tiercel
members for their contribution to our beloved sport. We
large rehabilitation and breeding facility. Ernst and
and trained it to take remarkable pitch. Bertus flew his
live in a busy and sometimes crazy world that makes
Eurhun found the first official Ovambo Sparrowhawk
intermewed Peregrine tiercel, it flies wide and high
falconry very difficult in many aspects. Despite this your
nest in the Free State Province. This was duly reported
shows a lot of promise. There was a good attempt on a
passion takes you to the field and you fly your hawks,
to the Conservation Department. The Du Plooys takes
namaqua sandgrouse but unfortunately the sandgrouse
well done! I am also commending everyone for making
their falconry very serious and makes use of just about
dumped. However the tiercel caught a Yellow throated
this club welcoming and friendly one, where each can
every training tool in the book including kites, copters
sandgrouse, took it to ground but lost it before the help
enjoy his sport in his own environment despite us all
etc. Ernst took a female Ovambo as nestling raised it
could arrive. Lizette flew her old Peregrine female on
being totally different both in character and background.
successfully but suffered with bad health and hacked
francolin and partridge, she feels it is time for a new
Thanks to Bertus Beukes as secretary and Terrence
the hawk back. Eurhun flew a female Peregrine on
challenge.
Eliott as treasurer.
next longwing generation and hold a lot of promise for
In the West we have Steven Squires at Jacobsdal
Thanks to the SAFA Exco for making our Free State
the sport due to his passion and commitment despite
and Anton Muller at Hoopstad. Anton flew a hacked
Falconry happening today and tomorrow. Special
study obligations.
Peregrine tiercel on doves and tried sandgrouse. Despite
Thanks to Ross Kramm and Bruce Padbury for heading
gamebirds with great success and good style. He is the
SAFA and the time they donate.
Transvaal Falconry Club Report
WORDS BY TIM
WAGNER
The Transvaal Falconry Club celebrates its 30th Anniversary in 2015. In spite of the area encompassed by the TFC having constricted to just Gauteng Province and Guateng arguably being the Province that has lost most hunting opportunities in the whole Republic, The TFC is alive and well. The combination of continuing reduction in suitable areas for flying hawks and falcons and increased time spent at work placed considerable pressure on members. Consequently only 18 members flew birds through the season. Once again, there were only 3 formal Club gatherings. Instead, small groups of falconers met on weekends and the other members flew their birds individually. Club members also continued to carry out research projects and to engage with members of the public, youth groups and conservation groups. Members of the Transvaal Falconry Club made a good showing with their birds at the SAFA annual field meet. On the administrative side of national falconry, Tim Wagner (TFC Chairman) was Treasurer and Robbie Robinson (TFC Secretary) was President of the South African Falconry Association.
PAGE 30
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
Membership During the year 5 new members joined the Club so membership is 38 falconers. The following were the grades, as recognised by SAFA, of members as at 1 April 2015: A Grade
15
B Grade
8
C Grade
10
D Grade (Apprentice)
3
Associate (Ungraded; may not fly birds)
2
Hunting Details of the birds flown and hunting success are given in the attached Hunting Report below. Large falcons occupied more mews space than other types. Peregrines were in the majority, with seven members flying them. Three members flew Lanner Falcons. One bird was captured as a passage bird, one was a rehabilitation bird that was released at the end of the season and the third was a bird bred by Mike Thompson. As with the Peregrine Falcons, most hunting was on gamebirds. Although most of the birds performed well, it is increasingly difficult to find areas where there is suitable quarry and few doves to spoil flights. Three austringers flew Black Sparrowhawks during this year and they took a wide range of quarry and their birds showed high quality flying. Five members flew small shortwings; 3 African Goshawks, 2 Gabar Goshawks and one Ovambo Sparrowhawk musket. Thanks to good availability of quarry and suitable hunting grounds, micro-falconry with the small shortwings was of high a high standard and was very successful. One Rednecked Falcon was flown for a short time before being placed in a breeding pen. Captive Breeding Programmes The Club continues to breed peregrines and peregrine hybrids. Unfortunately, despite strenuous efforts, there has been no progress in obtaining new genetic material for the Taitas so this breeding project remains stalled. The Rednecked Falcons showed very promising signs of pre-breeding activity but no eggs were laid. Raptor Monitoring Monitoring breeding success of Black, Ovambo and Little Sparrowhawks in central Gauteng. This continued and the results showed the severe impact of human activities on the large Sparrowhawk but ability of the small Sparrowhawks to adapt to urban conditions. Black Sparrowhawk Of the 7 Black Sparrowhawk nesting areas that have been monitored for many years, only 2 pairs successfully nested in the original nesting areas. At one site 3 chicks fledged and at the other 2 chicks at least reached brancher stage and therefore most probably fledged successfully. The reasons for failure or abandonment of the other sites were as follows: • Destruction of nesting groves by the Working for Water Programme – 2 sites • Destruction of nesting groves by industrial/urban development - 2 sites • Removal of the entire grove by wood-cutting – 1 site. Ovambo Sparrowhawk Nine long-term sites were again monitored. Two pairs abandoned nest sites after having been present early in the season. In both cases the groves (of Silver Poplar trees) were cut down as part of the Working for Water Programme. No new nests were found and therefore there is no record of breeding success. Of the 7 pairs that nested the following results were recorded: • 2 pairs fledged 3 chicks each. Both nests were in peri-urban farming areas • 2 pairs apparently fledged 2 chicks each. Both nests were in parks in the city • 2 pairs laid and incubated eggs but nests – both in parks - were destroyed during storms. • 1 pair was only visited once when the birds were incubating, but was not re-visited. Little Sparrowhawk Four nest sites – two in parks, one along the Crocodile River and one in a poplar grove in the peri-urban area near Lanseria Airport - were monitored. One nest site was destroyed by wood cutters and the replacement site has still not been found. Of the three remaining nests, all were successful, but only a single chick was fledged by each pair. Dirk Verwoerd continued with his project on Lanner Falcons. Unfortunately work in 2014 had to be restricted to Gauteng and KwaZulu – Natal.
MEWS VIEWS > 2015
PAGE 31
WORDS BY MARK
WILLIAMS
The recent passing of our fellow falconer and dear friend Mark Holder was a sad loss to the sport and many of us from all over the world who knew him. Mark was a lifelong friend, first introduced to me through mutual falconry friends back in the early eighties when we both lived in the UK. His life revolved around falconry and he worked as a milkman which mean very early starts and done work by early afternoon which enabled him to hawk every day in the season. Our kids grew up knowing him as “Mark the Milkman”. We both flew short wings and hawked a lot together before I immigrated to Canada. A decade later Mark went to South Africa for a change in life. In spite of the huge geographic challenges, we remained in constant contact and alternated visits over the years to each other’s respective new countries. Originally working for our mutual friend Tim Wagner in Dullstroom as a summer experience, Mark eventually moved to South Africa and bought the business from Tim and later moved it to a farm he had bought at the other end of town. Over the years and with the help of friends, Mark built the Dullstroom Bird of Prey Centre into a successful business, captive breeding program and bird rehabilitation centre. He was later joined by a mutual friend, another Mark, being Mark Bett who he went into business with. Mark loved his work and the people he worked with but unfortunately the demands of the centre took a toll on his personal hawking. I know he would have loved to have hawked more than he did but I did get him into wildlife photography and during my visits would often deliver some new camera gear for him. Anyone who knew Mark will have come to appreciate his sense of humour and jolly easy going nature. He’d do anything for anyone and was such a great person which makes it much harder that he should leave us so soon. It is not even two years since he first called me and spoke of his headaches and dizziness and yet how quickly it cruelly robbed him of his ability to communicate with his many friends and associates in spite of his perfectly intact cognitive skills. Mark was diagnosed with an incurable and particularly aggressive brain cancer. Unable to call or communicate through e mail, I was fortunate enough to visit him in the UK where he was being cared for by family before he passed late last year. He had a positive cheerful outlook right to the end and was incredibly fortunate to have such caring family members at his side. Mark was the brother I never had and was a great friend to many, we will miss him greatly. RIP Mr. Milkman.
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MEWS VIEWS > 2015
Dear Fellow Falconers It is with great sadness that I need to inform you that Mike Thompson passed away on Thursday the 12th of February. I would like to express my sincerest condolences to Melissa and Annie and all of Mike’s family and friends, who I am certain, were just as fond of him as myself, and the many other falconers, friends and family that knew him. For those of you that knew Mike you would remember a humble, generous and honest man that would go out of his way to help you, he was kind and gentle. My father taught me from a young age that you could only judge a man by his children and dogs. Mike was a man amongst men. We never shared a dull moment in the field, no matter what happened, our birds could fly low, they could f ly high, yet most of the time they f lew away. He never the less, always found a reason to laugh. I met Mike about 10 years ago. Mike was instrumental in my early falconry career and without him I would more than likely have never persisted through the Exam and grading. I spent a few afternoons in the field with him doing a mock grading with my Kestrel. Unfortunately he got me f ixated on Black Sparrow hawks from day one. For those of you that have had the displeasure of flying one you would understand. Mike was f lying a full imprint Black Spar called Harriet at the time. I remember the hawk to this day perched on his f ist whilst he rode up front in the passenger seat of the car. Mike was the f irst person in the world to breed Black Sparrow hawks in captivity. He was an authority on them. His success largely stemmed from a very clever pen design that allowed the pair of hawks to be somewhat separated and secluded from one another. A great deal of persistence and patience also played a large factor. Mike bred the best hawk I ever had the privilege of f lying, a Black Sparrow Hawk Called Lucy, we raised her from the egg and followed and imprinting technique that was developed by a falconer in the states. She was great fun and accounted for a fair number of game birds. Mike f lew some great hawks in his time. Jemima was one of the memorable Falcons he bred and f lew. She caught a fair number of Orange River Francolin in the f ields that are now known as Steyn City. A memorial service was held on the Thompsons Plot in Chartwell Johannesburg, on Sunday the 22nd of febuary. An Ovambo Sparrow hawk joined us mid way through the speeches and started chasing doves up and down the chicken farm. A very f itting spectacle and send off for a well loved Man. The number of people that attended from all walks of life, as well as the letters that were read from all around the world showed how loved and respected Mike was. I would like to conclude with the following quote by LK Rowling “To the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure.” Alec Glyphis
ULTIMATE SPEARFISHING MAGAZINE > VOL 11
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ULTIMATE SPEARFISHING MAGAZINE > VOL 11