Falconry, Sea Ducks, & Sandhill Cranes

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Falconry, Sea Ducks, & Sandhill Cranes No. 3, 2015 $3.00 Inside This Issue: Falconry, Sea Ducks, & Sandhill Cranes 4 Vol. 65 No. 3 FEATURES FALCONRY IN MASSACHUSETTS 4 — William F. Johnston, Jr Hunting with a hawk or falcon takes patience, perseverance, and the responsibility to care for the daily needs of a bird of prey, but for those willing to make the grade, the rewards are worth every sacrifice... Photo © Bill Byrne LONGTAILS & HARLEQUINS 14 — H W Heusmann Few people are even aware of the most spectacular waterfowl species that winter in our coastal waters. You may want to bundle up and grab the binoculars... TIME FOR CHANGES IN SEA DUCK HUNTING SEASON 21 — H W Heusmann Increasing hunting pressure requires that we manage these increasingly popular species conservatively... AUSPICIOUS TIMES FOR SANDHILLS 28 — Andrew Vitz The tallest breeding bird in Massachusetts didn’t start nesting here until 2007, but it is now on the increase and pioneering new sites all over New England 21 Director’s Editorial 2 Photo © Bill Byrne Big Beams (Youth Deer Hunt results) 26 28 Faces of Conservation 36 On the Cover: A flock of Harlequin Ducks Histrionicus( histrionicus) perform a short flush and chase routine in late winter as they enter early courtship. These col- orful ducks gather annually in small flocks to winter in preferred areas along the New England coast. Due to low reproduction and a relatively small population, they have been fully protected since 1989. They nest in the far north along fast-moving streams and rocky coastlines. Photographed from rocky blind with a Nikon 400mm + 1.4x teleconverter. Photo © Bill Byrne TO SUBSCRIBE OR BUY A GIFT SUBSCRIPTION PLEASE VISIT www.mass.gov/masswildlife OR CALL (508) 389-6300 ANY WEEKDAY Questions about your subscription? Change of address? Call toll free: (800) 289 - 4778. Photo © Bill Byrne Falconry in Massachusetts by William F. Johnston, Jr. It takes intense commitment and perseverance to become a falconer – training and keeping a bird of prey in good health and vigor is certainly not for everyone – but for some who have the time, interest, and deter- mination, participating in the “sport of kings” is a compelling option for living an outdoor-oriented life. If you think you have what it takes to become a falconer, here’s what you need to know. Photo © Darryl Perkins The early January sun holds little We have about an hour before the in- warmth, particularly this late in the day. coming tide will begin to flood the salt For the last week temperatures have marsh where we are hunting and nightfall hovered in the high single numbers, will put an end to our efforts. colder at night. Buzzards Bay is frozen; the only open water is where the rising We spot a mixed flock of black ducks and receding tides have dislodged large and mallards feeding on the exposed, slabs of sea ice that lay stranded like boot-sucking mud in the main channel. beached ships. Too much water, too many avenues of 4 escape: We need to look for something Seeing her opportunity slipping away, in one of the smaller channels. A slight the peregrine folds into a perfect tear- breeze from the northeast bodes well for drop and pumps her way down at a steep the female peregrine as we spot several 45-degree angle. Timing and coordination more mallards and black ducks in a side are all that matter now; a younger bird trench. Backing away, we retreat to a safe might have gotten it wrong and missed. distance before striking the hood. The falcon will only get “one bite of the apple”; miss, and the duck will be gone. This falcon was bred in captivity, born Peregrine falcons have been clocked at on the high plains of Saskatchewan, over 200 miles per hour in a dive. This Canada. She honed her hunting skills on bird is not going nearly that fast, but sharp-tailed grouse and ducks flushed she is going fast enough. The terminus from small stock ponds and prairie pot- of her stoop ends about 50 feet up with holes. This is her second year in the Bay a resounding whack that can be heard State and she has perfected her craft well from several yards away. on tidal mud flats and cranberry bogs. Her hood removed, she calmly surveys The duck hits the marsh below where her surroundings, and then with swift, it was momentarily dazed by the aerial sure wing beats launches herself out over impact. It takes a moment to regain its the marsh. Vigorously pumping to gain senses; a moment too long. With a quick altitude there are no thermals to aid in wing over the falcon has the duck firmly her ascent this time of year she heads in its grasp. Seconds later, using her into the breeze to acquire lift and help notched upper mandible, she surgically bring her upwind and into position. Too severs neck vertebrae and begins to enjoy wide, too low, or downwind would turn her well-earned meal. the advantage to the ducks. Now pinned, the ducks are safer in the water then in the air. Continuing her climb, the peregrine reaches her “pride of pitch” in another two minutes at 600 feet and slightly upwind. Now our job is to execute the flush. It’s all a matter of timing and luck. The signal is given and the field rushes the trench, only to find that some of the ducks have moved down closer to the main channel. Run, wave, and yell, more or less simultaneously, is all we have. Two of the ducks flush, only to bail into the deeper, wider water. One wily old drake goes out the back door, following the contours of the trench back, and then escaping out the end several hun- dred feet away. But two mallards decide that sanctuary is in the sky: A mad dash over land, gaining speed and height, will distance them from their adversary. Only one will succeed. A successful hunter begins to pluck her well-earned meal of Mallard Duck. Relatively easy to train and maintain, the Peregrine Falcon, fastest bird on Earth, is a favorite choice of falconers who hunt waterfowl, pheasant, and other avian prey. Photo © William Johnston, F. Jr. 5 ORIGINS the timber wolf, domesticated and trans- Although the origins of falconry are formed into hundreds of permutations of shrouded in time, it is widely accepted the common dog, birds of prey remain that it probably had its beginnings some essentially as they were at the dawn of 4,000 years ago somewhere between the falconry. That humans have been able Near East and Far East. The intervening to take a wild creature so different from years saw its “hay day” in the Middle us and mold its behavior is a testament Ages throughout Western Europe and to our creativity. That is to say, once one Great Britain. It is still held in high regard recognizes that they serve the interest in most Middle Eastern countries, and a of the hawk or falcon, not the opposite, Saker Falcon appears on the paper cur- progress can be made. It’s the falconer’s rency of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). job to provide opportunity for the bird. Even there, however, there is concern A falconer who fails at this too often is about the future of falconry. Young people likely to see his or her bird disappear around the globe are more preoccupied over the horizon. with the wonders of technology than the wonders of nature. In an effort to keep their Bedouin traditions alive, in 2010 the HIGH HURDLES UAE was successful in securing United Here in Massachusetts falconry is a Nations Educational, Science, and Cultur- passion shared by a relatively small group al Organization (UNESCO) recognition of of practitioners. With all of its demands falconry as an intangible cultural heritage and the high hurdles every novice must in 11 countries. By 2012, the number had overcome to enter, the sport has never risen to 13 nations. enjoyed widespread popularity. One of the reasons (and a good one at that) Falconry in the U.S. does not enjoy is that state and federal governments the same long history it does in the Old impose strict requirements to become World. Although there is some record a falconer. Treated as vermin in the ear- of colonial falconry, the sport didn’t ly part of the last century, all raptorial really come into its own here until more birds now enjoy the protection of the modern times, particularly after World Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Lacey War II. Our greatest contribution to the Act, and myriad other state, federal, and sport has been in American innovation international laws – laws that are strictly and technology. and vigorously enforced. Originally, hawks and falcons were To become a falconer in Massachusetts, followed in the field through the use of one must be at least 15 years old (and specially designed bells affixed to their if under 18, have a signed consent form tail, neck, or tarsi. Still used by some from a parent or guardian) and must find traditionalists, bells have now largely a general or master falconer as a sponsor. been replaced by micro transmitters that A written exam pertaining to basic raptor allow radio tracking of birds and permit biology, husbandry, and laws must be the falconer to find his or her hawk with a successfully passed. Finally, a facilities in- directional receiver. Kites, balloons, and spection, conducted by an Environmental quadcoptors (drones) have supplanted Police Officer, must take place to ensure fast flying pigeons as teaching aids that the potential apprentice can adequately help a bird learn proper pitch and footing, and also build stamina.
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