Now that I have this brand-new birdie, I'm curious as to the "traditional" style of merlin-hawking: ringing flights on larks.
Since larks are generally protected, this bears the question: can this be done against any other species? I saw in the pursuit falcon thread that a gyr ringed up against a gull.
My other, major question, is what in the world does that look like? The reading just mentions "ringing flights," but doesn't describe it in detail. Is it a chase that just involves altitude gain, or is there more to it?
Just curious, guys! If anybody could find a video I'd be stoked to see it. Thanks, ^^
If you dislike someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. --Jack Handy
Ally, Some" ringing" flights with the merlin can involve one great big ring(circle). Birds(usually flocking species, especially on migration) try to outfly the merlin, but are forced to return to sanctuary. I saw ducks doing that with large falcons this weekend. Thats when you see those big,tight, swirling, smoke-like balls of birds, trying to evade capture as a group.
Back in south Florida, a long time ago, on the edge of the Everglades(late winter, dry season), I had a female columbarius ,"Jewel", that would chase snipe from small, wet sloughs, up and away, ever climbing. Straight away for miles until out of sight. The first time it happened I thought "Well, isn't this nice", in the words of Allanis Morrisette in Ironic. No transmitter back then, no roads. She's gone. Then after a few heart wrenching minutes, back they would come, out of the clouds, racing for the same slough it started.
The merlin never laid a talon on them while in one of these chases, even though she would be right on their butt the whole race. I picked up two of them by hand that had enough and of course gave Jewel a big reward. On one of the flights a tundra peregrine joined in the chase out of the glades and landed right next to me.
On the plains in the dead of winter, flocks of artic birds (larkspurs, redpols, various finches and buntings, horned larks) will take wild Richardsons up in circling flight. This might be hard with a trained merlin due to legal issues plus it is a blast out there when it's 40 below. Theres always Prairies and maybe gyrs trying to make life rough for a merlin too. Feed lot Starlings seem to be the western merlin flight of choice.
Good luck and have fun, even if you are just stooping her to the lure. That is a ball with a merlin.
Last Edit: Oct 29, 2009 13:03:32 GMT -5 by stooper
Ally, Some" ringing" flights with the merlin can involve one great big ring(circle). Birds(usually flocking species, especially on migration) try to outfly the merlin, but are forced to return to sanctuary. I saw ducks doing that with large falcons this weekend. Thats when you see those big,tight, swirling, smoke-like balls of birds, trying to evade capture as a group.
Back in south Florida, a long time ago, on the edge of the Everglades(late winter, dry season), I had a female columbarius ,"Jewel", that would chase snipe from small, wet sloughs, up an away, ever climbing. Straight away for miles uuntil out of sight. The first time it happened I thought"Well, isn't this nice", in the words of Allanis Morrisette in Ironic. No transmitter back then, no roads. She's gone. Then after a few heart wrenching minutes, back they would come, out of the clouds, racing for the same slough it started.
The merlin never laid a talon on them while in one of these chases, even though she would be right on their butt the whole race. I picked up two of them by hand that had enough and of course gave Jewel a big reward. On one of the flights a tundra peregrine joined in the chase out of the glades and landed right next to me.
On the plains in the dead of winter, flocks of artic birds (larkspurs, redpols, various finches and buntings, horned larks) will take wild Richardsons up in circling flight. This might be hard with a trained merlin due to legal issues plus it is a blast out there when it's 40 below. Theres always Prairies and maybe gyrs trying to make life rough for a merlin too. Feed lot Starlings seem to be the western merlin flight of choice.
Good luck and have fun, even if you are just stooping her to the lure. That is a ball with a merlin.
that is a quality post!! i could almost feel the chill of -40, very good post!
Harrishawker--I've seen that video before, it's a blast to watch!
Stooper, thanks for the story, I agree with killjoy that was a great post and gave me a great visual. Starlings and valley quail will be the prey of choice I think. We bagged my friend's female on a starling yesterday and she didn't have too much trouble with it. Great to watch!
If you dislike someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. --Jack Handy
Post by profalconer on Nov 2, 2009 18:11:02 GMT -5
The only ringing flight I have seen was a gyr/saker on gulls. Big wings, lots of power, light wingload and hybrid vigor. Beautiful flights and he could keep it pressured enough to keep them close.
The only ringing flight I have seen was a gyr/saker on gulls. Big wings, lots of power, light wingload and hybrid vigor. Beautiful flights and he could keep it pressured enough to keep them close.
That's the stuff.
I'd really like to see a merlin do it.
Last Edit: Nov 2, 2009 20:04:48 GMT -5 by jfseaman
Post by profalconer on Nov 2, 2009 22:02:37 GMT -5
So what prey bird would be best for a merlin ringing flight? I like the single bird flight the hybrid had as it was more of a contest between the two birds. Personally I would love a jack merlin for hawking sparrows from a pitch. Will sparrows ring with a jack in pursuit off the fist if given a head start?
So what prey bird would be best for a merlin ringing flight? I like the single bird flight the hybrid had as it was more of a contest between the two birds. Personally I would love a jack merlin for hawking sparrows from a pitch. Will sparrows ring with a jack in pursuit off the fist if given a head start?
Don't know, I've only been out with the guys in the video 3 or 4 times. The jack I saw fly was waiting on at around 50' while sparrows were flushed. never saw the merlin fly in person. I think there is a type of bird that jacks will ring, if I remember what they said correctly. I've just never seen it.
With a fit merlin you will witness stellar ringing flights on horned larks. Finches, pipits and cowbirds will also ring. Robins don't really ring, but they climb up and away and will take the merlin quite high, as will dove in open country. The problem with that video is that you are not seeing what the merlin can really do - it's rat hawking. To each their own, however.
Last Edit: Jul 29, 2010 12:10:50 GMT -5 by fairchase