MERLINS

[rt]

Merlins are a small raptor in the Falco family. They spend most of their life following tweety birds from migrational routes. There attack style is like that of a gyrs they find a good perch wait for something they want to fly by then they chase it down in the typical falcon speed. They are not as hardy as the larger falcons so stricter attention is needed to fly succesfully. I have watched a few merlin flights here in the east which is rare since they arent that common in my area but out of all the flights I saw they were impressive and very fast. I also had one slam into my pigeon loft and hurt its wing I had to carry it to a rehaber, but I was amazed at how much they weigh despite their small fram they are heavy birds very solid, luckly the merlin I caught was able to be released so it is now back on the chase of the tweetys. ;D

[Minca]

Here's the merlin my sponsor trapped the end of January. I believe she's flying around 195 grams +/- right now.

[bobdale]

Mike McDermott has a sharpy that he force moults in the winter. He uses it to fly at sparrows and starlings during the summer. I'd like to try that with a merlin. Imagine... year around hawking... sighhhh!

[Weasel]

A good friend in MN is doing the same thing right now. Her RT is done for the season and she is just about ready to start flying her sharpy for the summer time.

[BlueTiercel]

Beautiful birds. My friend is taking a downy this summer.

[BlueTiercel]

Hey ya'll I know most on here are RT hawkers but has anyone been out hawking with someone that has a merlin? The miniature gyrfalcon... i am very interested in this bird... and hope to fly one some day.

[jondarp]

bluetiercel said:

Hey ya'll I know most on here are RT hawkers but has anyone been out hawling with someone that has a merlin? The miniature gyrfalcon... i am very interested in this bird... and hope to fly one some day.

BT,
A good person to ask about Merlins is none other than your fellow Mainer, Mr. Fanning. I seem to remember hearing that he has flown a Merlin or two in his day.

With all the wooded areas you have in Maine, it may be a bit tough to find places to fly one, but check with Mr. Fanning. I'm sure that he has some good advice on the subject.

- Jon D.

[BlueTiercel]

Yeah Mark and Cindy Fanning have flown a few especially Mark, something ike 9 birds. He was hoping to take an eyass this year but between schedule and bad luck didn't take one. As the club picnic is August 13 I will have more time to talk merlins with him then. Have you met Mark? He teaches biology and human anatomy at the high school i went to and is the guy who started my obsession with falconry that son of a !@@#%$%! Hehehe.

[jondarp]

bluetiercel said:

Yeah Mark and Cindy Fanning have flown a few especially Mark, something ike 9 birds. He was hoping to take an eyass this year but between schedule and bad luck didn't take one. As the club picnic is August 13 I will have more time to talk merlins with him then. Have you met Mark? He teaches biology and human anatomy at the high school i went to and is the guy who started my obsession with falconry that son of a !@@#%$%! Hehehe.

Yes I've met Mark and Cindy a few times. Very nice people and great gamehawkers. Cindy will be taking over as NAFA Northeast Director next year as Bill Johnston is stepping down.

I went up to the Fanning's place for the longwing meet in 2005 and really enjoyed myself. Mark and my sponsor (Jim G.) are pretty good pals. That's how I met him and Cindy. In fact, I may be going to the picnic on the 13th with Jim.

- Jon D.

[BlueTiercel]

i will be there at the picnic Lord willin! I met Jim G this winter out on the salt marshes the last day of the Maine black duck season with Mark and Cindy. They have been very gracious to me in withstanding my phonecalls, and allowing me to go out with them. Mark's mother recently passed away but so far the picnic is still planned or that date unless you hear otherwise. Jim seems like a cool down to earth guy and i hear he is a hell of a redtailer. Did he get a new Gos this year? Look forward to meeting you at the picnic. Carl Andrews

[jondarp]

bluetiercel said:

Did he get a new Gos this year?

No, things didn't work out for an eyas Gos for Jim so he's going to be flying the older gos again, plus he plans on trapping a RTH this fall.

Sorry to hear about Mark's mother. I had heard she was very ill, but nevertheless it must be very difficult for him.

- Jon D.

[demarest]

do you really need(in the loose sense)telemetry for this spunky bird?

[BlueTiercel]

They cover alot of territory very quickly... i am not really sure exactly..but they sure can get places quick...so i bet they could disappear pretty easily otherwise. they also loove to cache what they catch.ussually in some trees on the edge of the woods..anyway..thats what i have heard from those who fly them

[frootdog]

I would definitly use telemetry with any longwing. Hell I even use it with my red tail.

[demarest]

you'd use it w/ an ak even(not the machinegun)?