Yesterday morning we found the female American Kestrel with attached jesses once again. This time we were able to get a little closer to her than we had before. This little lady is more difficult to approach than most other kestrels on the island.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light
I think she looks and acts healthy. She’s actively hunting and based on the blood on her jesses (most likely from voles) I’d guess that she’s good at it.
I immediately called Becka Butcher, the trapper who has been trying to capture this bird so that the jesses can be removed. Becka made another attempt later in the afternoon but she was unsuccessful. This bird is extremely wary. The kestrel approached the trap, even flew down and investigated it closely but would not enter it.
Becka said that she and others who are qualified and licensed will continue to try to capture this bird using more “creative methods”, since traditional traps don’t seem to work on her (a number of attempts have been made). And since she most likely escaped from a rogue, “wannabe” illegal falconer (rather than from an ethical, licensed falconer), once this falcon has been trapped and checked for health issues she will be released back into the wild. A good thing…
Ron
Her life in the wild is challenging enough without adding trailing jesses to the mix. I love the photographs of her you have shared, but would be more than happy not to be able to distinguish her from any other female kestrel. So I have my digits crossed that she can be caught and released soon.
poor thing, I hope she survives.
I think she will, Tana. Even if they don’t catch her, those leather jesses will eventually rot and come off or she’ll get them off. But her chances will be improved if they can be removed soon.
I also admire your concern for them Ron. Today I published a post about a sport that is indeed gruesome, but is still a sport, just like Falconry is. I just thought you might be interested in looking at it.
Thanks, Maria. Your post on spur attachment for cockfighting in Puerto Rico and Spain was interesting and unsettling. I should mention though, that many (perhaps most) falconers don’t consider falconry to be a sport – one of the many things I’ve learned about falconry lately. That’s why I’ve always put “sport” in quotes in these recent falconry posts.
Ok, that is interesting then. I knew the cockfighting in no way compared to falconry, do you think it’s more of a practice?
I think “practice” works but many falconers refer to it as a “lifestyle” because it is so all-consuming. It takes huge amounts of training, knowledge, time, dedication and it’s more expensive than I ever imagined.
Ok, thanks for explaining this aspect of it.
Thank you for detailing and helping the raptors with jesses… I admire your talent and big heart! I especially have a love of kestrels and this brings me some peace of mind that others are looking out for her! Happy Holidays!
I love’m too Julia, largely for their beauty and their moxie. Thanks.