Sparrowhawks: A Falconer's Guide

Description

Flying imprint sparrowhawks is often unfairly portrayed as being overly complex and highly technical. Sparrowhawks - A Falconer's Guide aims to paint a far more informed picture, and to perhaps dispel some of the myths. Written with the beginner in mind, it is based on considerable first-hand experience of the author and a number of other respected falconers from the United Kingdom, Croatia, Ireland and Turkey who have specialized in flying sparrowhawks. By drawing comparisons with some of the most ancient trapping and training techniques of the East, and by making a connection with modern Western falconry practices, this remarkable book encapsulates the timeless beauty and joy of sparrowhawking, which crosses all cultures. Topics covered include: equipment, preparing to receive your sparrowhawk chick and imprinting; training, behaviour, quarry, entering, field craft and hawking in many different types of terrain; methodologies of captive breeding in the West; problems associated with the rehabilitation and release of wild sparrowhawks in the United Kingdom and finally, the vitally important subject of sparrowhawk health and welfare.

Ben Crane is a writer, artist and teacher who has been involved in a wide range of country pursuits from an early age. His fascination with falconry has taken him all over the world and he has travelled across Europe, America and Pakistan flying birds of prey and writing about trapping, training and hawking with sparrowhawks, goshawks, falcons and eagles. His articles on falconry have been widely published in Europe, USA and in the UK.