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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.

Portable T perch for hunting large fields


Often, we are in a field with no trees or perches for the birds to stay in position. Falconers have devised a T post for the birds to have a good vantage point in the field. Mine is PVC on a telescoping paint pole. Extends to about 8 feet tall.  I use the Shurlock brand paint poles.  For tall abatement work, I also have the 6-12 foot and the 8-16 foot poles.  All modified the same way. I prefer the Shurlock brand as they are durable and the tab to raise the perch up and down is easy to use with one hand.   I use the 4-8 foot one for carrying in the field. Materials I use:   1 inch (schedule 40)  PVC (with the 'bell' on the end).  The 'bell  holds the T connection in the center for the other two sections for the hawks to land on on and does not spin when the hawks land.   I drill all the T post all the way through the factory drilled hole.  I then carefully measure where the hole is and drill the PVC bell all the way through.  To lock to bell top on I use a zip tie.  Then the other two sections, each 2 feet long fit into the T. I have glued or screwed these two so they do not come apart in the field.   I cap the ends of the PVC.   Then I put Astroturf on top for the hawks to land on.  I now wrap it completely around the perch.  I also put a couple of ball bungies on the T post to hold food tidbits and a flashlight to illuminate the tidbit when flying hawk in low light conditions or for recovery during night abatement work.  My hawks are trained to fly into their crates (vari kennels) which also have a flashlight inside them illuminating a food treat.  This is essential for nighttime abatement work.  In the center of the T.  I put section of Velcro and have made a 4 oz cup where I tidbit the hawks and give them water.  They really like having access to water and during a hot abatement assignment.  They will actually fly to the T post for a drink.  The T post idea for falconry is a new tool and I've found it as essential as a lure in the field.  

Monday, September 21, 2009

Cable, electrical ties for falconry equipment


The photo of the red-tailed hawk 'Buster' shows the system I use for cable ties for falconry equipment attachment. Note the clear tubing to keep the cable tie from getting smaller on the bird. With birds that pick equipment, I use 'NO BITE' nail polish by Orly. It tastes TERRIBLE and works to reduce or even eliminate equipment picking. Also, note the 'ring' on the cable tie, very convienient for attaching telemetry for flying.