Members Newsletter December 2008

Centre News

It's been another very good year at the centre despite the credit crunch. We would like to say thank you to all members including those that joined over the past twelve months. We hope you will continue to support us throughout the coming year and beyond because without your support we could not do the work that we do.

We have had some exciting new additions at the centre and joining our flying team this year. Two Barn owls, Trevor and Cecil, and Dundee our first Kookaburra were born at the centre this year. All three have now become part of our flying team. Also joining the flying team are Basil (Burrowing owl), Goliath (White faced scops owl), Storm (Crested Caracara), Shianne (Striated Caracara) and Dollar (Young Bald Eagle), these have all been rescued from various centres around the country.

Our biggest achievement this year is having our first Peregrine falcon in but more importantly returning it back to the wild and seeing it reunited with its parents and two other siblings. We also had a Red Kite in this year which was very weak and low in weight, but is now doing well and we are waiting for the bird to moult before it can be released back to the wild next year.

Hospital News

August 2008 - December 2008.

Meet the team..

Madeleine Weber, Volunteer

We caught up with Madeleine Weber and asked her about her experiences at the Raptor Foundation; here is what she had to say.

How did you first hear about the Raptor Foundation?
My daughters bought me a Falconry Experience day for my birthday over two years ago.

How do you contribute?
I work four days a week on a voluntary basis. I work in the hospital, help with flying displays and in any way I can around the centre.

Why do you help?
I have discovered a love of raptors that I never knew I had, being able to work closely with them and learn so many new skills is very rewarding.

Favourite Raptor?
Sweep, the Little Owl.

Why?
She makes me laugh, she has such attitude! If she decides that she doesn't want to fly she will turn her back and deliberately ignore you, however if she wants something she can be very vocal.
On more than one occasion she has had two dinners as she has convinced people, with her insistent shouting and gestures, that she hasn't been fed.

What has been your best experience so far?
There have been so many but one of my favourites was when I was able to release a bird that had come into the hospital injured back into the wild.
As I watched it fly away there was a real sense of achievement.

Tell us something else about yourself?
I also make flowers with cold porcelain.

Falconry Equipment.

The Glove

The glove has two purposes. The first is to protect the falconer's hand from the sharp powerful talons; the second is to act as a cushion for the bird's feet.

Jesses and Anklets

Anklets are made of soft leather and fit around the strongest part of the bird, its legs. Jesses are used to attach the swivel too and to catch the bird when flying.

The Swivel

Secures the jesses to the leash. It takes the most strain and therefore quality is of the utmost importance.

The Leash

Used to tether the bird to its perch using the falconers knot. Length and thickness is dependant on the size of bird.

The Hood

This is used to keep the bird clam when travelling or just before it is to be flown. The hood can be used on hawks, falcons and eagles.

Creance

From the French phrase "de peu de creance" meaning "of little trust" ultimately deriving from the Latin: credo - to believe in (to have trust in). It is used in the early stages of training because you do not trust the bird. It is tied to the swivel and its length slowly increased as training progresses.

The Lure

This is a leather pad used to simulate a bird in flight. It can be used to train hawks, falcons and eagles. It is swung around to encourage the bird to fly and to chase the lure.