Following on from his ‘My history of hawking’ feature in the December 13, 2017 issue, GRAHAM WELLSTEAD explains why an unfortunate series of events led him fly a Harris hawk – and how it turned everything he’d previously thought about the species on its head.
FALCONRY
UP UNTIL the introduction of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, falconry was still a very low-number sport and it was expected to die out. The success of captive breeding led to an explosion in numbers, but we still knew how many keepers there were. When registration ceased for 90 per cent of people, we no longer had any idea. Hawks and hawk displays became commonplace. Almost everyone knew one or more people who kept, flew, or bred Harris hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus).
In the 1980s, I was happy with my red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) and was now flying peregrine falcons, so my life was complete. My all-time favourite bird was a tiercel peregrine who, in my eyes, walked on water and flew like silk. Blind in one eye for 12 of his 17 years, Midnight – of whom I have written before in these pages – was my greatest joy and, although I have no peregrines now, I would like to finish my hawking life with one.
Denne historien er fra January 17, 2018-utgaven av Cage & Aviary Birds.
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Denne historien er fra January 17, 2018-utgaven av Cage & Aviary Birds.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?
Intensively studied, the gem-like Anna’s hummingbird is a welcome visitor to the gardens of America’s most populous state: California. Bill Naylor investigates its life history
The charm of the English Cinnamon
Despite its long and complicated history, the true Cinnamon canary is still with us – in the hands of a tiny group of breeders. DONALD SKINNER-REID reckons it deserves wider appreciation
Spangles: a personal overview
FRED WRIGHT relates a budgie story of over-exploitation, consequent problems and abundant potential for the future
New converts to old breeds
Old and rare canaries have a reputation for adding fresh interest and challenge to the hobby. PETE HOOK and NICK JOY agree, and explain the birds’ charm to Dave Brown
Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show
DECORATIVE AVIARY DISPLAYS from a CBS and an online bird keeping advice group were voted in the top three by visitors for the inaugural Stafford Aviary Competition.
Pieds with potential
More than just a lesser variety, the dominant pied will introduce challenge and change into most studs, reckons CLIVE WAKEMAN. Here he discusses pairings to try and others to avoid
Club News
Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that’s all about you Results: convention, specialist & rare and Breeder of the Year
Canaries Month by Month:
With Christmas around the corner, BRIAN KEENAN is well into his winter programme, and reckons he might deserve a nice outcross
Smart Choice, Docile Nature
Dave Brown welcomes the masked grassfinch to his birdroom and shares advice on this lovely Australian species
The truth about the ‘flying toad'
Odd local names and weird superstitions can’t hide the beauty and elegance of the nightjar, a species that has made a fascinating subject in a few zoo collections, reveals BILL NAYLOR
