Another Positive Development Regarding Lost Falconry Birds
Just a quick post this morning to announce some more good news on the “lost falconry bird” front. (no, the female kestrel hasn’t yet been recaptured, but I believe efforts are continuing). For those new to this issue, a quick summary: Occasionally, falconry birds escape through no fault of the handler. When they do, they typically still have falconry gear attached – jesses, anklets, telemetry gear etc. Every effort is made by the falconry community to recapture these birds, usually with success. The larger segment of the problem comes from unethical “rogue” or “wannabe” falconers who capture wild birds illegally and then try to fly them without proper knowledge and experience. Due to negligence or inexperience these illegal birds sometimes escape with their “gear” attached, which puts them at a distinct disadvantage in the wild. My good friend and constant photography companion Mia McPherson and I have come across and photographed three of these escaped birds in the last three years. At least two of the three were most likely the result of rogue falconers rather than the organized falconry community. More details of what has already transpired can be found here. When someone spots one of these escaped birds in the wild, getting through to the “right” person for reporting and appropriate action is cumbersome, time-consuming and frustrating (believe me, I know!). It’s difficult to get through all the layers of DWR’s bureaucracy, finding a rehabber who can help isn’t easy and there hasn’t been an efficient avenue for a non-falconer to report a found bird to the falconry community. The North America Falconer’s Association (NAFA) website…