FALCONRY is the rebranded original 'DAVE SHARPE nature boy' channel and will now only feature falconry content in any new uploads. A new channel is now set up under the 'DAVE SHARPE nature boy'' title for all my nature and vlog content and SNAKES + will see all new uploads of reptile and exotic content. PLEASE HELP ME BY SUBSCRIBING TO ALL THREE CHANNELS IF POSSIBLE.
The point of this channel is to enthuse you about the art and practice of falconry as well as working with birds of prey across various settings. The real ethos of the channel is helping you guys learn from my success and especially my mistakes from a lifetime of interest.
I run raptorxotics.co.uk and icarusfalconry.co.uk, hence my whole life is practicing what I preach!
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Just absolutely beautiful to see the birds of prey In action. Just breath taking ❤❤❤
Do you free loft or tether your sparrow hawk and do you use hoods with them?
I used to tether mine , I’d prefer hooding them, many will find particularly muskets can get more and more difficult to hood
I haven't seen an Aplamado in a long time. Very Kool!
🎉Aplomado
A White-tailed Hawk on steroids...
Great video. Thanks.
How can you gender a sparrow hawk when young?
Females are twice the size of
Would it be possible to do a video on sparrowhawks, I’ve already seen one that you have done but would be great if u could do an updated version. I’m still unsure weather to tether or freeloft mine when I get it, and unsure about hooding it or not. Any advice is much appreciated👍
Could you please do a class on training a raptor for rehabbing/release?
Go on Facebook and look up North East Rapror Rescue . Message John on there he knows more about this subject than I ever will
Definitely interested in coming. Let me know dates if it works out.
Will do
hey! what are the conditions for breeding? would it be a case of getting a male and keeping him in the enclosure? any tips would be great :)
No they’re snake eaters and females sometimes eat males, Feed well all summer and pair when temps cool in autumn or early spring as things warm a bit
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy thank you!
Serious question: do you think the birds 'care' or 'notice' that they aren't hunting? If not, then those who argue its 'cruel' to keep a raptor and *not* hunt with it don't really have an argument. Also, if wild birds need to learn to hunt and captive bred birds never learn or are never entered, how can their quality of life be bad? It's not like they 'know' that they should only be eating food they caught, is it? A fed-up and stress free life is (surely) all raptors'want'?
The birds don’t care at all if they never hunt or even fly free. If they did it would be a tragedy of captive breeding , breeding stock
Dave, as soon as you don't hunt, the compromises start, only flying half the week, fly through the moult because too cold in winter, etc etc. Thousands of years of standards are slipping away because the lazy make excuses and then pretend they are still falconers
Yes but I don’t think that’s any different if you get a hh for hunting or a black kite for pleasure flying ; you either fly them daily and keep super fit or you don’t . One becomes useless at catching stuff the other useless for flying if no wind
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy Truth is a black kite isn't a falconry bird, as you well know. Fantastic birds on the wing. But falconry by definition is hunting with a trained bird of prey. Hunting road kill with a kite is never going to compete with Goshawks/rabbits or Goldie/hares. Demo flying has its own skills and tricks, but it isn't falconry. Any falconer can demo fly, but most demo flyers would struggle to hunt a raptor successfully. We don't need to water down what counts as falconry. Just admit they have different goals. There is many more compromises in demo flying than falconry would ever allow, trouble is that people want ever more compromises. Where do you draw the line? We have too many fakes, frauds and internet experts already. If you don't hunt successfully then you aren't a falconer. Bird trainer might be a more accurate and honest description.
@davidirving2006 that’s what the videos about , exactly that really ; most people who take up falconry would be better off not doing so but instead flying a non hunting bird; everything would bebbetter off for it
Click bait title 😂 I totally agree with the american system, if you don't hunt then you aren't doing falconry or are a falconer. Demo and non hunting flying needs less skill and knowledge. And to be honest 95% the birds will be operating at a lower level and lower fitness.
We don’t have their option I’ll of hunting all winter and releasing in spring , so most uk falconry birds sit still more or less for half a year with non hunting ….
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy Even in the US many more people are moulting hawks than there used to be. Flying in the moult is a compromise as you well know. And that is a whole can of worms of its own. But for me there is a higher requirement of skill and effort involved in training a successful hunting hawk than merely flying one.
Very interesting point Dave - I know one female who flies her hawk every day on her farm, that bird is loved, cared for, feather perfect, always shining and may occasionally catch something. I have met others who hunt their hawks on the roundabouts at weekends and usually finish up in Tesco’s car park with their birds crashing about on the tarmac after crows. So let’s all be careful how we judge others. As someone who has now reached retirement age, I would rather see a good flight than rush in to dispatch quarry.
Falconer or bird keeper ? One hunts one doesn't, simple.
True words
in the states you must hunt with your birds.you must have a hunting permit in order to even apply for a permit. I say just get a parrot.
Why is the parrot a better pet then? An imprinted falcon kept as a pet and never flown is way better for the bird as it’s so easily pleased as the far more intelligent parrot would Suffer far more if its higher needs aren’t met . I don’t think falcons should be pets but far better pets than a parrot , so how do we justify getting a parrot but not working with a free flown falcon daily …..
Couldnt disagree more, parrots are terrible pets and we are doing them a disservice by reccomending them as pets. They need so much attention and enrichment and can develop self harming habits easily in captivity. A parrot is a whole different beast to a raptor, where in the wild a raptor will spend most of its time perching when its not hunting a parrot is constantly on the go and needs mental and social stimulation 24/7. They are also as loud or louder than raptors and just as capable of causing injury with their beaks that are made to crack nuts.
I would buy her tomorrow ❤
If I'd seen your channel, and Ben Woodruff, 20 years ago.... Now, too old to take on an animal that could easily outlive my ability to fly it ... But, thinking is ok, and enjoying learning... I wondered about a Kestrel as "non-hunting" bird? Their flying skills are "pretty" at the least, and, if they decided to hunt some of their typical prey, while out free-flying, it would probably not bother people much if they found out that your bird occasionally took a mouse or lizard? We have red kites ( Rot Milan) around the village, and they are lovely to watch, so another type of kite would likely have that lovely soaring, and be both relaxing but fun, too ... Great stuff, Dave!
Kestrels are superb for the flanker who knows their stuff weight wise etc
I remember that they need especially careful weight management for hunting, and I guess that a "fatty" might not live as long, and not have much interest in poking around after a lure 😄
My own interests center on my surname.. FAULKNER Keeps me researching. Thanks..
Excellent !
A topic that often arises in my circles, negative usually if someone isn't actually hunting. I have to keep a little quiet as for me as long as the hawk is well cared for and flown regularly that can be OK. Bit like all animals we should really look after them. Lovely as usual and good food for thought.
Same I hear it a lot and usually not thought of answers I’m given . As a sport Falconry is what it is but to say you can’t keep a raptor because it should hunt for its own mental well being is a very ignorant pseudo fact
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy it's that word falconry, the bee world's the same I'm sure you will or have seen. It opinions. Have a great Bank Holiday.
@freebirdofreason1994 deffo hehe; had out last lesson yesterday ; handling bees for real !
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy brilliant Dave lovey thing.👍
Hi Dave its all about the well being of the birds in my opinion everyone to their own
Deffo
Morning so since I lost mine for 2 weeks then got her back I actually enjoyed educating people about her Local residents in the nursing home loved seeing her once I got her back I found it as rewarding as the hunt just talking about these beautiful animals
Nice one
This was a really interesting video, thank you! I'm at the stage where I'm volunteering, saving money and reading every falconry book I can get my hands on. I'm very much intending to get into hunting but this made me think, in a really good way. I think there should be space for people who can give raptors in captivity a really good life without having to hunt but I feel like we lack the language for that kind of animal, because they're not entirely a working falconry bird but they're certainly not a pet! Even though I fully intend to hunt in the future I can see its entirely likely I'll have one or two birds in my care who won't hunt for whatever reason, so on a smaller level I feel this can apply even to 'true' falconers.
Great food for thought Dave as usual. I hunt my Birds Dave but I do have a very old Redtail that I don't hunt anymore. I free fly him two or three times a week as I would sooner he died on the wing then die of boredom in a Mews day after day. Having said that he does get the odd Rabbit but I don't put the effort in to getting him primed for hunting alone as I feel the rigours of proper weight management would be too hard on the old guy. He is happy to hollow on at his own pace and I think has earned the right to please him self at times. Mind you he is very good 99% of the time.
I have an old dog like that hehe
I feel so validated 😭😭😭
Hehe
I do I want the gyr but it's too much bird.
Love watching kestrels round my way (Warwickshire). Plenty about which is always good to see. Great video!
Nice! And cheers!
Really good emphasis at the start at how tricky they can be. I had to change jobs so I couldn't have all winter off so I switched to flying my European Kestrel for fun in the summer months instead. Has its' own set of challenges with weight management but honestly it's always easier not to fly and do jump ups in the weighing room in the summer because too high in condition than get too low in condition in winter! Her first winter I was able to take her straight out from a heated mews to a field and I'd fly her hard to the lure up to three or four times a day which was great, but the sheer amount of time you need for that cannot be overstated. The new aviary for her has 20mm PVC rod for bars with about an inch of space between each bar. It's not very strong though so the bars are fixed to the inside of the aviary wall and spaced on the outside is big galvanised steel mesh to stop cats, foxes etc. from physically being able to reach through the bars into the aviary. Doesn't look particularly pretty from the outside but it works and when you're inside it is surprisingly light and you can see out really well.
I think that’s the key ; time , more so than ever to get a micro right
They are preparing for when the Dutch & German DOC industry stops producing and we here in the UK follow suit. That is when you are going to see the wholesale release of all manner of raptors. Harris hawks and eagle owls will be undoubtably the greatest in number. I see the release of these birds now, especially with the rising cost of living and people having purchased these birds for all the wrong reasons, initially.
Sadly same with reptiles with energy rises two winters back
protected by law to have them captivae in florida
Good and bad I guess
Muja lena by please price batyo
I feel like Apollo Creed just told me exactly what I needed to hear to become a champ.
Hehe. Nice one!
Holy shit. What a huge knowledge drop. I'm memorizing this entire thing.
Cheers! Check out the full set “ how to train a hh”
Thank you. I'm very interested in accipiters but this gives me a lot to think about regarding prey abundancy. Yourself, and Ben Woodruff are swaying me toward a Harris Hawk.
Whatever you end up with; enjoy
Brilliant idea mate
this was a really useful video and the brutal honesty was refreshing
Hehe brutal but true ! Thank you
I have two EU Polecats!
Nice one
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy Jill is pregnant!
@kayedal-haddad9294 cute babies soon!
Great idea 👍
Would love to visit but I cant leave my own small centre till November.
That’s a true problem ; we’ll both be shut at same time !
Dave will these take ducks and geese on the wing? Or is it ground game only?
O the rise but never in straight line form standing start; rembered thyre designed to fly from the soar really
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy so if the eagles already up high and the duck is flushed, the eagle will drop on it?
@kevinduffield626 well that could be a great flight ! But I bet no one has tried it with these yet …
@kevinduffield626 they do seem to like taking stuff on the ground tho
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy im new to bops and i want something i can take ground game with, mostly rabbits with a few hares thrown in but also ducks and geese. I should probably get a gos but i do like these blue jobs :P
So true Dave. Great video.
Thanks
I would love to come . Have you ever done a video on traing a falcon for display work with the lure ?
No not yet ; more detailed than some but a good idea ; I’ll put it on the mist in my head for when I have a bit more time
Sign me up I’m well up for having a falconry weekend! 😁👍🏼😎
Hey Dave, is your chilean blue a hand reared or parent reared bird? What would you recommend for this species? 😊
What exactly? Hehe
Always a lovely watch, good tips and knowledge. Great idea on social falconry meeting, chatting about falconry and meeting like minded people. Have a lovely weekend you guys. Good news on Ben he definitely had a rough time good to see him back.
And you two enjoy the weather
Great update Dave, September sounds good. I'm sure David Fox mentions a whalbergs' being flown on a field meet in his garden of eagles book, but my memory may be failing me, it's been a very long time since I read it.
Me too! I have it some where ..
Good update Dave and thank you for the plug, be good to see the eagle in Zim once in gets going I dont think I have ever seen one before. Be good to get over to the meet in September but I may be too skint, again! Lurcher pups look the business ...like I need another dog. Good points on tethering/free lofting , pros and cons . Keep up the good work.
Cheers John
Sounds good
Have there been any updates on this? I live in the US, but I'm still concerned. The worst part is that these people wholeheartedly believe they're doing good. It's the Dunning/Kruger Voter. The "My ignorance is just as valid as your expertise" people. I've said for years that people should have to prove competence to have a say on any particular issue. If you don't understand the consequences, your opinion shouldn't matter. That goes double for the politicians. It boggles the mind that anyone can run for office and without any qualifications whatsoever, decide policy.
Politicians …. Do t think ours are Much good at anything hehe It’s looking like I’m the coming years our zoos Will need to have birds free lofted, With some concessions to tether briefly for training etc . I don’t really care about zoos ; almost all out birds are freelofted here but then a couple do not like or do well free lofted . My concern is still that it will rapidly work down to individual falconers who will be told they can’t keep the birds as they see fit .
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy do falconers in UK have any kind of lobbying representation? Something similar to a Union but instead of representing employees interests against their bosses it represents falconers against the government. Like the NRA is for gun owners in US.
@cameronmccoy5051 sort of but they seem fairly useless here . In the U.K. we constantly moan about the government etc and the freedoms they take away ; but we never band together to prevent it , we just accept it moaning …
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy I'm sorry to say I know what you mean. And it will keep getting worse until people get angry and do something about it.
@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy ok, I have a criticism that I was going to keep to myself, but I changed my mind. You said earlier that you "don't care about zoos". Maybe I read into that more than what you meant, but it might be worth considering that caring about their problems and helping them might get them on your side when you need help. If that didn't make sense then I can elaborate, but I was trying for brevity to avoid making you read an essay. Just something to think about.
There are some cheap drones you can buy for about £70 with decent recording cameras
Great video as always! I look forward to working with these in October