FALCONRY: Sparrowhawks, some thoughts…

[@DarrenSh-k6o]

I flew a musket a few years ago for three seasons. I took 178 jackdaws , over 80 magpies. dozens of rooks and even a few hooded crows. Plus the usual small birds. And he only weighed 4and a half oz. Halfway through his third season he point blanked stopped taking the bigger birds. But what a game little bird

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Cor blimey three seasons ; he was balsey!

[@DarrenSh-k6o]

I’ll never have another like him.

[@freebirdofreason1994]

Lovely insight, thank you, fortunately my mate, you met him Merlin lad, has had them and been successful, offered to help with the process. He is a 7day a week lad like my self, that said lm still reading a book he gave me for my birthday, Sparrowhawks A Falconers Guide ,Ben Crane. I’m so cautious i probably won’t do it but it’s been an interesting read for sure (:

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Bens a top chap I like him ( lent that book out never seen it since !)

[@freebirdofreason1994]

@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy I’ll drop it to you sometime, along with the other books I got of yours (: 👍😎.

[@paulbarry6451]

As always super informative, I hope people realise and appreciate how lucky they are that you share your vast knowledge warts and all, FOC on this channel.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Plenty of my mistakes to learn from hehe ! Thanks you

[@waynemccully611]

Fantastic video. Never got into falconry, but have had the immense pleasure to have rescued a few wild kestrels and sparrowhawks found whilst out enjoying various fieldsports. Much of what you have said here about the difficulties with sparrowhawks I take as a huge boost given the success I’ve had getting them tip-top for release back into the wild. But, by God do I miss them when they’ve gone! Subscribed - absolutely.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Thanks so much! And yes real little characters eh!

[@OldSkoolWax]

Trying to tame a sparrowhawk is like trying to befriend a polar bear. Some things are meant to be forever wild.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Unless it’s not from the wild I guess , oddly wild ones from suburbia are easier to train than captive bred parent reared…

[@OldSkoolWax]

@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy I don't know...every falconer I've met have been able to tame everything but these wild little free spirits

[@ronaldgressens7736]

Beautiful video😉👍thanks

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Thankyou

[@Brisco-rl8nc]

Here in the states, I've flown numerous sharp-shins--all wild taken from nests. Nearly all have been female imprints taken at 10-12 days of age. Our imprint females usually fly at 140-150 grams. Your observations are accurate and consistent with mine. Some of the sweetest imprints will turn irreversibly wild regardless of what you do, leaving you feeling betrayed. Most imprints become a little nervous after they've become accomplished hunters, but are still manageable and rewarding to work with. The current female I'm working with was taken from a nest at 19 days of age--definitely not an imprint! She will fly frantically about her mew in fear if I enter when she is not down to weight. But if I wait and come back in a few hours she's ready to go! I have to weigh her twice a day to manage her weight properly. She has taken 20 head and is becoming increasingly tame. Her flying weight has increased from 138 to 145 grams over the last month. She pays me no attention when I stroke her breast. She tolerates my petting of her wings. But, she will not allow me to touch her back. I can live with that. She has, in fact, become very much like an imprint.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Thanks for that insight , very interesting observations . They do have funny micro brains for sure !

[@johnwilkes7190]

spot on regarding these little guys so very highly strung

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Like a rare super car , thrilling but highly tuned hehe

[@raphlvlogs271]

sparrow hawks are becoming common in urban areas because of people putting up bird feeders and nest boxes which attract their usual prey

[@sprwhwk]

Would love to see an informative video like this on the Finnish goshawk! Currently planning a spar x gos hybrid project

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Sounds fun! Good luck with it ! Check out my hh v gos video I covered them a bit

[@ronaldgressens7736]

Hello,what was the name of your spanisch friend,thanks,Ronald

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Rafa

[@davidirving2006]

Takes alot to be that honest in public these days, so many thanks for that. Sparrowhawks are probably the best and worst bird in falconry. Anything that can go wrong, always seems to with a Spar. But they are truely awesome birds.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Just to watch them i the glove is thrilling , before they even fly ! Yes folk often dont admit much but not on this channel hehe

[@stubailey8058]

Very good video Dave 👍

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Thankyou

[@lohikarhu734]

If I can say, they seem like the 'Race Horse' of hawks, set up for speed, ut easily 'broken', too... As you said, maybe compared to a tiny Goshawk, but even less 'personable'... thanks, Dave!

[@jujucattys156]

Only ever flowen one musket imprinted my self but I think I not lucky with him lol

[@gavincole2659]

Great video as always Dave. Quick question. Where do you apply for this FREE FALCONRY LICENSE ?

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

www.gov.uk/government/publications/wild-birds-apply-for-a-licence-to-kill-wild-birds-for-falconry

[@billygrey9235]

Do you free loft or tether your sparrow hawk and do you use hoods with them?

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

I used to tether mine , I’d prefer hooding them, many will find particularly muskets can get more and more difficult to hood

[@NMFalconry]

Freezing doesn't kill frounce.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Most folk say it does if frozen for months ( not weeks in my case ……)

[@Martin-lk7uk]

Thanks for putting this video out very important content I flew an imprinted female terrible table manners but wot a hawk👏

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Cheers for that !

[@earlgrey691]

Wow.Some wake up pointers here ? i'm concluding Sparrow Hawks and Kestrels are just not suited for the sport essentially.?

[@NMFalconry]

That is not at all the case.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Thyre eminently suited and have been hunted with for centuries ; they just need truly skilled falconers to o talon them and work with them , not those who feel like dabbling so to speak : supremely exciting and capable birds in the correct Hands

[@earlgrey691]

@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy Obviously i'm approaching from completely a rookie,unilluminated perspective but l appreciate the candid feedback.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Always here to help hehe, Sparrowhawks are not easy but they are incredible things

[@earlgrey691]

@@falconry.davesharpenatureboy Absolutely and your reverence for them is clear to see.