Search This Blog

Friday, December 20, 2013

December 20, 2013:
Yesterday was a good abatement day. I weathered all of the raptors, cleaned enclosures,  The presence of the hawks all day on the grounds I feel is also a good 'territorial' establishment of the hawks being here all of the time.    Hawks started  evening flights at sundowns, around 4:00.  The grackles were very intimidated by the presence of the hawks.  They would move away from wherever the hawks were seen.  After sundown approaching darkness, the hawks would still chase the grackles in the trees, due to the lights allowing them to see.  The hawks are becoming more comfortable flying after darkness, due to the lack of owls and competing avian predators in the area.  The hawks also know that me as their falconer also protects them from harm.   The youngest and most trusting of hawks came right in to a flashlight attached to a T post.   Also with a pice of hawk food held in place with a ball bungie.  She stays very close to her falconer.  The second oldest bird  also saw this behavior and become more confident moving about in the dark.  She also came to the same T perch arrangement, then laddered down to a second on T post to be safely put to bed at dark.   This morning, I access the success of the patrols by listening to the calls of the grackles prior to departing to their daily foraging around the city.  Definitely, less noise this morning.  I will also walk the areas to see how many droppings are left behind.  An encouraging sign for the winter roost reduction.  

No comments:

Post a Comment