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Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Talon Salon Coping Block Perch



Materials needed: Flower Pots (either plastic (for traveling) or ceramic/terracotta). Make sure flower pots selected do not have a ‘rolled under’ edge. This edge snags on swivels.
4-5 inch for small raptors
7-9 inches for medium raptors.
10-12 inch for large raptors (eagles and eagle owls).
Quick (Not Rapid) set mortar, Ratio:  2 parts mortar, 1 part 
Vermiculite (soil conditioner).
3/4 inch PVC pipe, cut to height of perches.
Garden trowel, Garden ‘rake’ for mixing and handling mortar
Mortar pan or dish pan for mixing mortar.
Coffee filters
Sturdy long rubber gloves.
Astroturf (long leaf type).
Hot glue gun or Gorilla glue. (Practice first with Gorilla glue).
2 gallon bucket for water.  
                                                  Rags for wiping up execess. 





Instructions:
Take flower plot, drill or enlarge hole sufficient in size for PVC pipe to fit snugly through the hole, and be parallel with the surface underneath. Tape top of pipe to prevent mortar mixture from filling pipe. If the flower pot has more than one drain hole, use a piece of coffee filter to prevent mortar mixture from draining out of bottom drainage holes.
Dry ingredients: Mix mortar and vermiculite thoroughly 2:1 ratio with garden rake. Add water to make the mixture the consistency of oatmeal. Mix water small amounts at a time. The mixture should be moldable, but not runny. With garden trowel, scoop mixture into prepared pots, small amounts at a time to insure that there are no air holes left. When filled, use gloved hands to shape the top of the pot to a dome shape about 1 inch above pot with a ‘flat spot': about in the center for the hot glued Astroturf pad. Wipe excess off sides with rag rinsed in bucket of water.
Let set for 24-48 hours in a dry location, facing the south or west.
When dry:  Cut a piece of Astroturf in a circle, undersized for the pot. Leave about a 2 inch rim of mortar for talons to scrape. Then use hot glue gun or gorilla glue (practice first), glue Astroturf to pot.

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