pursuit falconry magazine - april 2014
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Promoting the art of falconry and hawkingTRANSCRIPT
Your FREE Online Falconry Magazine
April 2014ISSUE 8
PURSUIT
14TH-15TH June 2014
DUNCOMBE PARK HELMSLEY
NORTH YORKSHIRE YO62 5EB
www.raptorfair.com www.icbp-duncombe.org
A celebration of falconry and birds of prey Full access to the bird of prey centre Trade Stands Flying Demonstrations Dog Training Demo Seminars Camping (please pre-book) Saturday Evening BBQ
9am until 5.30pm
RAPTOR FAIR
THE
WelcomeSpring, is fi nally upon us. Its will be a busy
time for the breeders, who we rely upon for
supplying us with our new charges for the
season ahead and I hope each one, both big
& small has a good and productive season.
I am constantly surprised by how much
PURSUIT has grown since its inception last
September and the viewers of my magazine
has grown to an incredible 50,000 - WOW!
So a massive, thank you to all the readers
and the contributors.
Last month, saw the launch of PURSUIT
in Italian, this quarterly magazine was only
possible to my incredible friend, Patrizia
Cimberio. Who not only translates but also
administrates it for me. (How she fi nds the
time, I honestly don’t know!- But thank you.)
My plan towards the end of the year, is to
produce PURSUIT, as an annual magazine
in both Russian and Arabic.
Th is month I have articles from contributors
from around the globe and I hope everyone
enjoys the latest edition.
So until next month - Good Hawking!
Neil Davies, EditorPursuit Falconry Magazine is published by Neil Davies and promotes the
art Falconry & Hawking.
Please be aware all images and text is copyright © Neil Davies 2014 and
the contributing writers, photographers and artists.
No part of this magazine can be used without the written approval of the
Editor or its contributors.
To advertise, submit articles or photographs within Pursuit Falconry
Magazine please email the Neil Davies , Editor: [email protected]
Front Cover image courtesy of Th omas Carnihan © 2014
features4 News
6 Hunting Eagles Images by Th omas Carnihan
12 Photo of the Month
14 Japanese Sky Trials by Shawn Hayes
22 A mix of luck and determination
by Nicholas Gerhard
28 Th e Raptor Fair
37 Wildife Artist Steven Lingham
40 ‘Th e Best in the West’ by Shawn Hayes
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 3
PURSUIT FALCONRY MAGAZINE is proud to support the work of the IAF - Th e Internati4
In the News...
Th e anti-infl ammatory drug diclofenac,
which is highly toxic to vultures, has
been authorised for veterinary use
within the European Union.
Th is represents a grave threat to
Europe’s vulture populations, many
of which have only recently recovered
from historical lows.
Diclofenac represents a clear and present
danger to vultures in Europe, as the birds
will be poisoned if they feed on carcasses
of animals that have been treated with the
drug.
Dr Campbell Murn, Head of
Conservation and Research at the Hawk
Conservancy Trust was astounded: “An
immediate ban on diclofenac for veterinary
use throughout the EU is required to avert
a species crisis, the waste of millions of
Euros in conservation funding and direct
contravention of primary EU legislation”.
“It beggars belief that diclofenac has been
authorised for veterinary use in some
countries of the EU. Th is drug has been
shown clearly to be responsible for the
near-extinction of at least three vulture
species in South Asia”.
“Th ere are vulture-safe alternative drugs,
such as meloxicam, that are available. And
besides, authorising the use of diclofenac in
Europe directly contravenes the EU Birds
Directive, under which Member States
have a legal obligation to conserve vultures
– an ecologically vital group of birds”.
“As core members of the IUCN Vulture
Specialist Group, and also the European
Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)
and the British and Irish Association
of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA), we are
working with our partners towards
facilitating a complete ban of diclofenac
in countries where vultures occur. We are
linking these eff orts with the existing work
of the Vulture Conservation Foundation
and Birdlife International on this issue.”
For further information please contact:
Dr Campbell Murn FSB
Head of Conservation and Research
Th e Hawk Conservancy Trust
T: 01264 773850
www.hawkconservancy.org
More European Government Madness!Th is might not be directly related to falconry, but as passionate falconer and lover of all birds of prey and in fact all
animals, to see the present European Government granting the licensing of Diclofenac for use within Europe aft er
its devastating eff ect South-East Asia’s Vultures is surely madness and incompetent at the very least. I implore all
the readers of this magazine to share this information to your MP, MEP, Assembly member to stop this potential
environmental disaster from happening again with Europe. Two of the leading campaigners for Raptor Conservation
have made the following statements.
Neil Davies, Editor - Pursuit Falconry Magazine.
CALLS FOR DRUG LETHAL TO VULTURES TO BE BANNED
Th e Hawk Conservancy Trust is a
conservation charity and award-winning
research and visitor centre based in
Hampshire, England. With projects in
Africa and Asia, the Trust has been actively
involved with vulture conservation and
research for over 15 years.
Th e IUCN SSC Vulture Specialist Group
advocates for greater awareness of the
plight of vultures and coordinates eff ective
conservation activities to their benefi t.
BIAZA is a conservation, education and
scientifi c wildlife charity, which acts as
the principal professional zoo body and
represents over 100 responsible zoo and
aquarium members in the UK and Ireland.
EAZA represents and links 345 member
institutions in 41 countries. Formed in 1992,
EAZA’s mission is to facilitate cooperation
within the European zoo and aquarium
community towards the goals of education,
research and conservation.
Vulture Conservation Foundation is the
leading European vulture conservation
NGO. Among many projects, it leads on
the successful reintroduction of the bearded
vulture in the Alps, and is working toward
minimizing the eff ects of poisoning on
vultures.
Cinereous Vulture - Aegypius monachus
ional Association of Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey - www.iaf.org
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PURSUIT ISSUE 8 5
Th e International Association for
Falconry and the Conservation
of Birds of Prey (IAF) notes with
dismay and outrage that Diclofenac
(a Non-Steroidal Anti-infl ammatory
Drug used for the treatment of pain
and infl ammation) is available for
veterinary use in Member States of
the European Union including Italy
and Spain.
Th is drug is incredibly toxic to vultures, even
in very small quantities, and fatal poisoning
can result when vultures consume the
carcasses of animals treated, before their
death, with Diclofenac. Th e widespread
use of this drug, as a veterinary medicine,
resulted in almost total devastation of the
vulture populations of south-east Asia, killing
some 40 million vultures. Subsequently,
this drug has been banned for veterinary
use within that region. As a result of this
ban, along with a massive and expensive
conservation eff ort, there are the fi rst signs
of a recovery in vulture populations within
the south-east Asian region. Despite the
fact that alternative safe and inexpensive
drugs are readily available, Diclofenac has
been authorized for use in domestic animals
in Spain (where 80% European vultures
live) and Italy and is now becoming widely
available on the EU market. Th e IAF notes
that, according to a technical dossier put
together by SEO/BirdLife, RSPB and the
Vulture Conservation Foundation, this will
cause a European mass execution of the
charismatic, endangered and ecologically
valuable vultures. Four rare vulture
species are present in Europe, and all are
protected by EU law. Th e Egyptian Vulture
is threatened with extinction and listed
as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of
Species and the Cinereous Vulture is listed
as ‘Near Th reatened’. Th e Griff on Vulture
and Bearded Vulture have recently recovered
from very low populations aft er decades of
conservation eff orts. Millions of Euros have
been invested in saving these European
vultures. It is tragic and ironic that this
investment is now in jeopardy through the
use of a veterinary medicine which is well
documented as being the cause of the virtual
extinction of vulture populations elsewhere.
Furthermore, the veterinary use of this drug
in Europe will weaken the case to prevent its
use in Africa, as well as weakening the resolve
to maintain the ban on its use in south-east
Asia.
Th e European Union and its Member
States have a legal obligation to conserve
vultures under the EU Birds Directive and
under EU Veterinary Drugs legislation
which requires the avoidance of ecological
damage. We call on the Governments of
the European Union and of the Member
States to take urgent action on these grounds
and ban the veterinary use of Diclofenac as
well as removing this agent immediately
from the EU market. Furthermore, we call
on Veterinary bodies and organizations,
including the Federation of Veterinarians of
Europe, to alert their membership and all
who may be responsible for the treatment
of animals. It is our belief that, in light of
the fact that safe and aff ordable alternative
medicines exist, the veterinary use of this
drug is inappropriate and unethical.
Dr. Adrian Lombard
President: International Association for Falconry
and the Conservation of Birds of Prey.
8th March, 2014.
WARNING OF A SERIOUS THREAT TO
EUROPEAN VULTURESDr. Adrian Lombard
6
EAGLE FALCONRY
THOMAS CARNIHAN A COLLE
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ECTION OF HUNTING IMAGES
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PHOTOOF THE MONTH
© Graeme Scott 2014
FALCONRY IN JAPAN
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by Shawn Hayes
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I fi rst visited Japan back in 2011, when
I was asked to give a lecture on how I
practised falconry in the USA. I have
always been impressed with how the
Japanese falconers practised their art
and observing how they trained &
hunted their birds in such enclosed
areas, that it gave me a desire to take a
closer look at how the art of falconry is
practised modern day Japan.
But I was delighted to be invited back
to Japan in February this year. I was
asked to be one of the judges at their
falconry Sky Trials and the Lure
Stooping Competition at their
annual falconry festival.
On arrival in Japan, I was taken by
my hosts and we went to meet fellow
falconers all met at the ‘SHOP’.
Th e ‘SHOP’ is the place where most
of the hawks and falcons are housed.
With Japan being such a small country,
many Japanese falconers house their
hawks and falcons at the ‘SHOP’ in a
communal mews.
In the few days before the festival and
trials was due to start, I was asked to
watch a few falcons fl y and see if there
was any suggestions I could give to the
falconers that would help make their
falcons better fl yers and hunters.
We headed out to an open area that was
mainly rice fi elds. Th ere was a small
paved road that went right through
the middle of the fl ying fi eld. Aft er
watching 5 to 6 falcons fl y.
I was impressed on how disciplined
their falcons were. Th ere is not a lot of
space to fl y their falcons, along with
the many other distractions, like city
pigeons fl ying around and wild game
such as pheasants and some times ducks.
Th e falconers had to have their falcons
focused and well trained. All of the
falcons stayed within the training area
and never wondered off , chasing any of
the many distractions that were present.
Th e festival was just a few days away
and diff erent falconers each day began
to show up at the ‘SHOP and each
morning I would go out and watch the
falconers train their hawks and falcons
from the falcon ‘SHOP’.
One falconer, I was delighted to work
with, was Hidetoshi Ishibashi, a young
woman falconer, who is currently
training a tiercel Peregrine, along
with male eagle owl and a well trained
Harris’ Hawk. Ishibashi and I worked on
how she could get her tiercel to stoop
the lure with a little more aggression.
Her falcon was used to fl ying and stooping
to the lure in a way that you could tell
he was board. Within 2 days we had the
tiercel making more stoops to the lure
and he seemed to really enjoy it.
Having the opportunity to travel around the world
in pursuit my passion for the art falconry. I have
witnessed and discovered many things and made some
amazing friends from around the world.
Two of these friends, are traditional Japanese falconers
Asaoka Yukio and Yukihirio Fujita and this is my
short story of my time in Japan.
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Ishibashi is famous within Japan for
introducing falconry to the wider
public. She gives talks on falconry with
her birds of prey and runs a small bird
control business too.
She is fast becoming an excellent
falconer and an ambassador to the art
of falconry.
My good friend and falconer Yukihiro
Fujita, fl ew his female Gyr X Peregrine
Hybrid to the lure. Th e falcon fl ew
with some style and as she made 30 or
more passes to the lure looking more
like a male falcon as she stooped the
lure. Th at showed me how well trained
she was and I could tell she was in top
condition and she enjoyed doing what
she was doing. She fl ew with zest and
had a little snap in her wing beat.
On the day of the falconry festival both
falconers and non-falconers began to
gather. We had a little rain and a light
wind as we set up for the event that
morning.
During, the opening ceremonies
the JFA - Japanese Falconers
Association, paid tribute to
fellow American, former IAF
President, Frank Bond, who
sadly passed away last December.
Frank, was a close and dear
friend, but was loved by many
falconers from around the world.
He played a major roll in the
falconry community as head of
the IAF for many years and was
instrumental in falconry being
recognised by UNESCO, among
his many other achievements.
Long time, Japanese falconer
Fumio said a few words about
Frank and presented me with
a photo of him. It was a wonderful
gesture and I respected the falconers
and people of Japan for reaching out
to a man who was so special and has
helped to make falconry better for all
of us.
He was a good man who will be sorely
missed.
Th ere were 18 falcons entered
to compete in the lure stooping
competition. Th e winner of the Lure
Stooping Competition was determined
by how many times the falcon stoops
the lure.
Th e winner with an incredible 74
stoops was won by Kihira, who fl ew a
wonderful female Gyr/Peregrine.
Th e Sky Trials had 10 falcons entered.
Th e area the sky trials was held was not
your typical wide open sky trials fi eld.
It was no more then 400 yards long and
200 yards wide. Some of the best fl ying
falcons in Japan were entered
in the trials. I was asked to judge
the sky trials.
FALCONRY IN JAPAN
20
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 21
What I was impressed with most with
the Japanese style of long wing falconry
and sky trials was how well trained the
falcons were. Being in such a closed in
area the falcons and falconers showed
how they work together and not let
any of the distractions interfere or
disrupted any of the fl ights. Watching
falcons fl ying to heights in excess of
600ft in the testing weather conditions
was fun to watch.
Ishida who fl ew a nice fl ying male
Gyr/Peregrine hybrid took a well
deserved First Place. Second, went to
my good friend Ebihara, fl ying a Gyr/
Shaheen, with the Th ird place going
to another talented young falconer,
Krhira.
Aft er, the trials had ended, I had the
opportunity to experience a little bit
of Japanese falconry.
On the last day of my Japanese
adventure, I was collected by a few
falconers early in the morning. As
we set out from the ‘SHOP’ in pursuit
of our quarry. Aft er short drive, we
scoped out a few rice paddy fi elds that
held a good number of Pheasants.
Ebihara led the way and spotted two
cock Pheasant feeding on the edge of
this rice fi eld. As we approached the
fi eld in our cars, the two game birds
disappeared into the thick cover. Ishida
was asked to fl y his female Gyr/
Peregrine.
Th e falcon mounted quickly up to
about 600ft . As Ishida and his dog
walked towards the area, the pheasant
put into cover. Looking up, I spotted
the falcon fl ying steady and holding her
position well. Th e dog and two other
falconers went in and tried to fl ush the
pheasant.
Sadly, we weren’t able to re fl ush the
pheasant, so we called the falcon
down and headed to a diff erent area.
As we drove along this dirt road, we
approached a small drainage ditch that
had water running through it. Yukihiro
spotted this single duck fl ying out of
the ditch, but then landed back in the
ditch.
So it was decided that Ishida would
fl y falcons. Th is time, he fl ew his male
Gyr/Peregrine. Yukihiro and we put
ourselves in position to fl ush the duck
for his falcon. It was mid morning and
the air continued to hold and produce
good fl ying conditions.
Th e young falconer released his falcon
and he mounted up nice. Flying out
wide the falcon continued to go up.
Up to about 500 feet the falcon began
to work his way back. Yukihiro and I
were ready to fl ush the duck. When
the falcon fl ew over us and put itself in
good position, we fl ushed.
Th e duck fl ushed clean fl ying out
and away from the ditch. Th e falcon
stooped and hit the duck down.
Th e falcon pitched up and went in to
grab the duck. Th e duck then took off
and fl ew towards an open body of water
about 200 yards away. Th e falcon fl ew
aft er the duck and caught it a few feet
away from the pond.
We were all happy, because this was
Ishida’s fi rst head of game in two seasons.
Th is was a excellent fl ight and was a
wonderful and fi tting way to end my
time in Japan.
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FALCONRY IN AUSTRALIA
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 23
24
FALCONRY IN AUSTRALIA
Whether you were brought up
into the sport or not, I doubt
any Falconer would forget the
experience that persuaded
them to take it up. For me, it
was when I swung a lure for a
Peregrine for the fi rst time, and
from that point on I decided
where I wanted to take my life
and what I wanted to become;
but in a country where Falconry
is illegal, fi nding ways to
lead myself into a career with
raptors has been both a mix of
luck and determination.
I’ve had an interest in birds since I was 10
years old, but it wasn’t till a simple 8th grade
assignment I did on the Peregrine Falcon
did I get a leaning passion towards Birds of
Prey. At the beginning of last year, I went
with my parents to lamington National Park
on a weekend holiday to O’Reilly’s Rainforest
Retreat, and not knowing much about the
place, I was a bit excited when I saw they had
a birds of prey show. According to what I
was told, my parents already knew about the
show and had organised me to have a one on
one encounter. During this experience I was
able to try some lure swinging, and in those
few mesmerising moments of watching the
Peregrine make fl ying look like an art and the
quick manoeuvres she made to strike the lure
was something that opened up my eyes to a
whole new perspective on where I wanted to
take my life.
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 25
As I started my third term of year 10 back
in July, I was enrolled within a subject called
‘Program Challenge’, where students get to
study a subject of their choosing and create an
independent project; and of course I chose to
study birds of prey.
More importantly, however, it off ered me the
opportunity to go back to lamington national
park and have work experience with Mark
- the demonstrator who I met earlier that
year. So aft er sending a few emails I was able
to organise a week working with him and his
raptors. On the fi rst day, I wasn’t sure what I
would be doing; cleaning, cutting raw meat,
and maybe just doing some handling of the
birds, but nope, straight onto attaching a bell
to the tail of a Black Kite!
Not that I wasn’t doing the latter, but I had no
idea I would be getting to do tasks like that.
Over the next few days I was quickly taught
to weigh the birds and getting them prepared
for the show, while also helping out with the
training of a male Wedge-Tailed Eagle and a
Brahminy Kite. Mark has an assortment of
aussie raptors that I all did some work with
Left : Nick with Wedge-tailed Eagle
Below: Barking Owl
26
FALCONRY IN QATAR
in one way or another, but, defi natly one of
my favourites was the Grey Goshawk (White
Morph), who had the most stunning pure white
plumage and piercing red eyes; I wonder what
they would be like as falconry birds!
Others in his collection included the Nankeen
Kestrel, Black-breasted Buzzard, Sooty Owl,
Masked Owl, Barn Owl, and a Barking Owl;
as well as all those already mentioned.
As short as one week may sound, it went quicker.
Getting the hands-on experiences was amazing,
couldn’t have had it any better! I’m currently
still keeping in contact with Mark and looking
into going back during my next school break.
Soon aft er fi nishing my work placement with
Mark, I met a Raptor rehabilitator named Claire,
who lived nearby that I came across on Facebook.
At the time, she had a Black kite in care that
had been clipped by a plane and had lost
almost all primaries and many secondaries. I
came over one morning to her place to see her
set-up and go with her to the Australia Zoo
Wildlife Hospital, as the kite was due for a
check-up.
While they were examining her, I watched
the procedures they went through in getting
her under anaesthetic to be able to examiner
her feather growth without causing too much
stress. When we had a look at the wing, many
feathers were starting to moult back through
and were growing fi ne, so then I was shown
how to hold her and placed her back into the
carrier. A few months later to where I am now,
I have just been off ered a mentorship with
Claire, an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
Over the next two years I will working with
Claire and learning how to rehab and take
care of raptors, but also many other native
species of birds and some mammals. Meeting
FALCONRY IN AUSTRALIA
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 27
all these great people who are helping me in
gaining experiences with birds of prey is and
has been amazing, with more recently meeting
a local business called ‘Raptor Vision’, who
works primarily with Australian owls; training
them up for a show and currently doing ring
deliveries at weddings.
Starting my second last year of high school, I
am determined and know my career pathway.
I’ve always believed if you want anything to
happen, you make it happen. So I’ve decided
that aft er school to get an apprenticeship in
falconry over in the UK or Ireland; mainly
because they’re both great countries that I’ve
always wanted to visit, but also the fact that I’ve
got an Irish passport in which will help me out
quite a bit!
Th e experiences and knowledge I would gain
from an apprenticeships will become invaluable
to me, and when I come back to Australia,
I will take more than just new skills, but a
passion I can spread onto future generations.
My hope is to one day see falconry legal in
Australia, but until then, gaining experiences
in falconry is a priority for me.
If anyone is interested giving me a
hand. I’d appreciated all the help I
can get!
Contact details:
Nicholas Gerhard
Email: [email protected]
Left : White Morph Grey Goshawk
28
FALCONRY FAIRS
Th e RaptorDuncombe Park, Helmsley, Nork Yorksh
14th-15th June 20www.raptorfair.com www.icbp-duncom
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 29
r Fair hire, England
014mbe.org
FALCONRY FAIRS
30
Th e Raptor Fair is
a show devoted to
show casing the very
best of birds of prey
and falconry in the
UK and abroad.
Held in the grounds of the new branch of the
International Centre for Birds of Prey at Duncombe
Park it is a fantastic setting for a very special event.
Th e North of England has never had its own high
quality falconry event – until now!
Organised by the International Centre for Birds
of Prey (with rather a lot of help from lots of other
people!) the Fair is conceived to appeal to falconers,
birds of prey keepers and everyone who has an
interest in these wonderful birds. Children are
extremely welcome and will fi nd lots of things to
put a smile on their faces!
A range of trade stands will be exhibiting their
wares enabling visitors to see and handle a range of
falconry equipment before buying.
Th e weathering area at ICBP Duncombe
Lanner Falcon
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 31
Nigel King from the
Imperial Bird of Prey
Academy is coming to fl y
some of his birds on both
the Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors have full access to the International Centre
for Birds of Prey whilst at the Fair. A wide range
of birds from tiny Burrowing Owls to Steller’s Sea
Eagles and Griff on Vultures are on display.
Th e timing of the Raptor Fair means we will still
be fl ying the best of last year’s young birds, and the
full complement of our older birds will be at their
best too. Th e main fl ying area will have lots going
throughout day.
In addition the Discovery Centre will host a
number of seminars and workshops. Keep watching
the website for more details.
For those visitors who want to come and make a
weekend of it, our location on the doorstep of the
popular market town of Helmsley means that a
huge range of hotels and B&Bs are at your disposal.
A basic camping area is available – please pre-book.
Dogs or birds (other than our own) are not
permitted within the centre grounds. However
access to the fair includes access to the Parklands
which are great for dog walking.
www.raptorfair.com
www.icbp-duncombe.org
Tel 0844 7422035
Th e magnifi cent Duncombe Hall home of the ICBP Duncombe
32
Th e unique wildlife designs of
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Tel: +(44) 7723 442669 Email:[email protected] Website: www.hoodedtalons.co.uk
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 33
Stella’s Sea Eagle
34
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Second Edition. If you missed it first time around, here’s another chance toimmerse yourself in this massively detailed best-selling training and huntingmanual. New layout including action shots by US photographer Natasha Leong.
GLOWING REVIEWS‘Deserves an A-plus. A first-rate, top-flight falconry book’American Falconry
‘Should be compulsory reading for anyone flying or contemplatingflying a Harris’ hawk’ International Falconer
‘Probably one of the most descriptive accounts of ferreting tohawks ever written’ Hawk Chalk
‘A compelling and enduringly fascinating read. This book lives up to its boastful title’ Independent Bird Register
‘A must for all rabbit and hare hawking enthusiasts’ Scottish Hawking Club
TWO TITLES FOR THE EAGLE ENTHUSIAST
German Eagle. HC. Limited to 400 signed copies. £30.00Join Fritz Loges as he hacks, trains and then flies his eagles tofox in wartime Germany. ‘Recommended for anyone drawn by the allure offlying eagles’ Matthew Mullenix
Hunting Eagle. HC. Limited to 500 signed copies. £35.00Forests and fields are hunted – islands too – as rabbit, hare,fox and deer are pursued as eagle falconry’s best knownnames deliver today’s devastating bird. ‘A book that should grace the shelves of all who areinterested in this wonderful raptor’ Alan Gates
ALSO …
Memoirs of a Hunter. HC £25.00By Friedrich Remmler Edited by M Hollinshead Illustrations by V Gorbatov
‘The squeak of footsteps in newly fallen snow, the lugubrious silence ofa forest shrouded in white and the startling cry of the tundra wolf; allare part of the astonishing memoirs of Friedrich Remmler…Whetherdriving wolves to waiting borzois in pre-revolutionary Russia orhunting them with golden eagles on the Kirghiz steppe, Remmler’sboyish excitement entrances…A mesmerizing book’ The Field
‘Fascinating...riveting...unique...mesmerizing’ Sports Afield
‘You won’t find a more exciting hunting book this year’ Gray’s Sporting Journal
‘Opens up an entire lost world’ Stephen Bodio
To order signed copies email: [email protected] 01384 878 573
Available in the US and Canada through Mike’s Falconry and Western Sporting
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 35
36
Memoirs of an Artist Naturalist
by George Edward LodgePrinted by Th e George Edward Lodge Trust
www.georgeedwardlodgetrust.co.uk
APRIL 2014
PURSUIT ISSUE 8 37
An award winning
British Wildlife Artist
based in Yorkshire.
www.stevenlingham.com
‘Making a presentation’
FALCONRY ART
FALCONRY ART
38
Steven has a real passion for
British birds, the subject matter
for which he is most renowned.
He has used a variety of painting
media - acrylics, gouache and the
occasional pencil drawing, but has
fi nally settled upon oils, which allow
him to attain vibrancy in colour and
texture. Steven is renowned for the
meticulous attention to detail in his
paintings, and although can be very
labour intensive his work is still rich
with light, atmosphere and beauty.
His work can be found in many
private collections worldwide,
including in the UK, Europe, South
Africa, United Arab Emirates, New
Zealand and North America.
In 2008 Steven was invited to become
a patron of Raptor Rescue, a UK
based charity which rehabilitates
birds of prey, (which is one of Steven’s
favourite subjects to paint).
Steven’s artwork has been selected for
inclusion in the prestigious Birds in
Art exhibition for 2010 at the Leigh
Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in
Wisconsin, USA, which is arguably
the World’s most highly regarded
wildlife art exhibition.
Goshawk’ on Rabbit
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PURSUIT ISSUE 8 39
‘Back-lit Goshawk’
Artist’s StatementI am constantly trying to develop
my work, by pushing the boundaries
as an artist, to master my medium
and as a result I’m intending to
paint stylish pieces that incorporate
birds and animals within grand and
elaborate settings, or representing
birds in a decorative and stylised
form. I want to show people how
beautiful the world is, to evoke
emotion and go beyond people’s
imagination by showing the
humblest of every day objects or
birds/animals for what they really
are, oft en stunningly beautiful.
Whilst out walking we all see
fl eeting glimpses of the wildlife that
surrounds us, whether it be of a
fox running through a woodland, a
herd of Roe Deer bounding into the
distance or a Barn Owl quartering a
fi eld at dusk, moments like those can
really make my day. It’s so easy to get
‘bogged down’ by daily life, but by
taking a walk in your local woodland
or park you can see such sights,
which make you realise what life is
really all about.
With that in mind it’s very important
to preserve these little ‘nature
reserves’.
By painting wildlife I am making
people aware of its existence, and
giving the viewer a rare chance to
really appreciate all the beautiful
species that we have in our
countryside. My aim is to bring
the viewer of my work close to the
subject, to see a moment in time.
I like to portray my subjects as
they really are in the wild, perhaps
passing through a scene that I have
already chosen to paint.
Th e appearance of the animal or bird
becomes an added bonus.
40
SKY TRIALS
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‘Th e Best in the West’Th e Shawn Hayes Invitational
Sky Trials &
Falconry Demonstrations
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FALCONRY FAIRS
42
SKY TRIALS
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Cory Dalton and I located a fl ying
fi eld about 20 miles north of Fallon,
Nevada. Th e fi eld was open and had
good and easy access. A perfect place
to hold our event.
On the Friday morning a few of us
falconers met out in the fi eld. We
set up a few easy up shade tents and
tables. Karl Kerster lure fl ew his male
peregrine falcon putting on a good
show.
Mac Lopez then fl ew his male Gyr
falcon on the balloon. Mac’s bird fl ew
really nice fl ying up to the bait that
was well over 1000 feet. I then fl ew
my male peregrine falcon. Th e little
guy didn’t do what I wanted him to
do but I was happy with how he fl ew
the short time that he did. He was
recovering from an early season injury
so I didn’t expect him to do much but
I could tell during that fl ight he was
healing and getting better.
Karl Kerster fl ew another one of his
peregrine falcons, this time he fl ew a
female. Th is falcon also fl ew strong
making several passes to the lure in
fi ne style. Th e people really enjoyed
the wonderful display this falcon
showed while stooping to the lure.
Brian Evens a local falconer and friend
from Reno, Nevada fl ew his drone
quad copter. Th is quad copter is another
tool we are learning to use to train
our falcons. Brian has built two quad
copters and will be instructing Mac
and I on how to operate one.
Mac and I have been talking and
working with Brian to help improve
the quad copter to help make it a
better tool for the training of falcons.
As Brian fl ew the remote controlled
copter I explained to the crowd how
falconry has evolved and technology
has began to play a major roll in
falconry.
We only had a couple of falcons left
to fl y so we took a short break. Cory
Dalton and his wife Kristy had their
Harris Hawks and fl ew them for a
short time giving the people a chance
to see the diff erent types of raptors
used in falconry. Chris Honecker an
apprentice falconer also had a Harris
Hawk and helped educate the public
on the diff erent types of hawks and
falcons during the break.
Saturday we were greeted with nice
weather. Perfect fl ying conditions for
the falcons that were to be fl own in
the trials. Th e fi rst falcon to be fl own
would be a dark male Gyr falcon
owned and being trained by Mark
Moglich. He is a local Nevada falconer
who is also a breeder of both hawks
and falcons.
Th is was a fi rst year falcon that Mark
produced, he showed signs of being a
good game hawk.
I introduced Mark to the crowed of
about 100 people. Mark explained
how the training was going with the
young bird and what type of game
he planned to hunt with his young
falcon. Mark then walked out into the
fi eld with his son Ryan.
Th e falcon was then released. Th e
falcon reached his pitch which was
about 1200 feet. When mark called
for the serve the falcon began to fl y
higher. Mark then called his falcon
down to the lure. As Mark walked in
with his falcon on his fi st I could tell
he wasn’t really happy with how his
falcon performed.
Two weeks ago Mark fl ew this same
falcon and won a sky trials. He had
a smile on his face at the end of our
interview. It was a good fl ight.
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FALCONRY FAIRS
42
SKY TRIALS
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Martin Stiasny then fl ew his 8 year
old Gyr X Peregrine Hybrid. Th is is
a veteran falcon that has become a
well trained game hawk. Th is falcon
hunts Ducks and Sage Grouse in
fi ne style. He has also done well in
sky trials in the past. Martin is also a
falcon breeder breeding Gyr falcons
of all colours, Peregrine falcons
and Gyr X Peregrine Hybrids. We
all watched as the falcon started to
mounted and go up. Th e falcon was
acting as if he was going to fl y away.
As some of us watched through our
binoculars we could see that the
falcon was turning and fl ying back
towards Martin. Brian Evans and I
guessed that the falcon was well over
1000 feet. Th e falcon fi nally returned
and fl ew above the falconer. When
Martin called for the serve the falcon
came down in a nice stoop that just
so happened to be right in front of
the crowed. We all enjoyed the fl ight.
Th e falcon was called down. Martin
walked up to me and had a few
words about his falcon. I thanked
Martin for attending and fl ying his
falcon in the trials so did the people
and falconers watching.
Long time friend and falconer Mac
Lopez was nice enough to help out
and fl y his falcon in the trials. Mac
is fl ying a nice looking two year old
Male Gyr falcon. Th is falcon is of the
white phase. Mac and I have trained
our falcons together for the last 3 to
4 seasons and I knew we had a good
chance to see this bird fl y well.
Mac walked up to me just before he
was going to fl y and asked if it would
be OK if he fl ew his falcon on the
drone. I thought it would be great to
see how his falcon would respond to
the drone.
Brian Evans also brought out his
PA system. We took another short
break while Brian set up the drone.
Mac and I entertained the people
by explaining and talking about the
training and the process it takes to
get this particular falcon to do and
fl y as high as it dose.
Brian was now ready to fl y the
drone. With the control box around
his neck we all watched as the four
prop drone lift ed off the ground and
made it’s way up to about 1000 feet.
Th e falcon was then un hooded. A
short time aft er, the falcon looked
up and spotted the bate hanging
10 feet below the drone. He then
left Mac’s glove and started to work
his way up. I stood next to Mac
and Mark Moglich as the falcon
worked his way up to the bait. Th e
falcon seemed to be motivated as he
worked his way up fl ying with a lot
of energy with a sharp wing beat. We
could tell he was eager to get to the
bait just by the way he was fl ying.
A few of us tried to guess how high
the falcon was as it mounted up.
We all guest wrong because a short
time aft er the falcon reach the bait.
Th e falcon made it up to the bait in
good time. He grabbed the bait, the
parachute released from the tube
and as the falcon came down with
the bait the parachute opened and
the falcon fl oated down with it’s
meal. Mac walked out to his falcon,
allowed him to eat on the ground.
Once he was fi nished with his meal
Mac picked up his falcon and fed
him a small portion as he sat on the
glove.
Th e last fl ight of the day would be
falconer and friend Pete. Pete is
from Reno, Nevada. I fi rst met Pete
a few years ago while visiting Mac.
We all met out in the fi eld to train
our falcons. It was early September
and Pete was the only falconer who
was fl ying a adult falcon. He was
fl ying a 6 year old male Peregrine X
Prairie Hybrid at the time. I asked
Pete if he would be willing to fl y his
falcon in the trials. He agreed, Pete
chose to fl y his bird who is now 9
years old. Pete mentioned that his
bird fl y’s better in the late morning.
On several outings I have watched
this falcon fl y really high and put on
some really nice stoops. Pete and I
did a little interview.
He talked about his falcon to the
crowed giving them and the on
looking falconers an idea of how
he trains this falcon and what
type of game he pursues. It was
late morning as we watched Pete
walk out into the fi eld to release
his falcon. As expected the falcon
fl ew nice making it up to about 800
feet. Th e falcon fl ew wide as it went
up but not so far that we couldn’t
see him. As mentioned it was late
morning and thermals began to
rise off the desert fl oor. Th e falcon
took advantage of the rising air and
drift ed a little further out an away.
A wild prairie falcon came in on his
falcon and they began to chase each
other. Th is went on for about 10
more minutes. Th e two falcons fl ew
out of site. Pete had two transmitters
attached on his falcon. He turned
on his receiver and picked up a
signal. He and Mac drove a short
distance and recovered the falcon
safely. Brian Evans again fl ew his
quad copter showing us the diff erent
styles it can fl y. When Pete returned
with his falcon I announced it over
the PA system. Pete received a big
applause from the crowed. A good
way to end the day of fl ights.
Aft er lunch, Janet Karecki, Cory
Dalton, Lauren Evens and Lesley
Aluffi sold raffl e tickets and helped
set up the raffl e table.
We were happy to receive the
donations from the falconry and
non falconry venders. We were
able to raise enough money for the
children cancer research center
in Davis California. When people
ask me who won the sky trials I
tell them the kids who are battling
leukaemia and cancer won.
It was a wonderful event and we are
in the process of putting together
next years event.
I would like to thank all who helped
put on the sky trials.
Shawn Hayes 2014
