I am not a hunter, nor ever really cared about falconry, but you and Fable have won me over. I truly listen to the knowledge of your craft that you share with us. I really appreciate the care you have for your birds and animals. I love animals and believe in you and the ways in which you care about your environment. PLEASE continue to allow us into your world, it's very interesting and Fable is AWESOME. Boop Boop forever!!!!
Falconry And Me yes pleaseee! Sent you an email hope you got it. I’m sure you have a backlog. You’re going to have to train Fable to answer emails lol. Great editing also..for someone who claims they aren’t very pc savvy you’re doing excellent work !
@@Whiteshell204 Falcons don't like Toyota trucks, they'll refuse to ride in anything but a "Ford Falcon" tailing a "Volkswagen Rabbit" to their new location.
From what I can tell it seems like falconry is much more focused on the animals well being and preserving the species rather than what the person gets from it, at least now a days when food isn't much of a problem anymore. It's truly fascinating what kind of bond you need to have with the bird. For some reason I used to think falconry was a much more morally grey area, though I must admit I never took the time to get myself familiar with it either. Very informative video!
Love the way you started this - as personally I have zero interest in hunting but at the same time I have absolutely zero issue with someone, such as yourself, hunting in the way you do. As you say and are correct about this is nature and how our world and these amazing animals work - I do, like many, have issues with "sport" hunting which is clearly not what this is. So thanks again for your detailed and very well produced videos. Like many of your viewers I had no interest in these animals until I stumbled across you (I was in the first 20k subs BTW!)
Thank you very much for your comments. I feel honoured to engage with such an interesting and varied audience. Thank you for following the channel for so long too :) hope you continue to enjoy.
Just stumbled upon your channel. I started falconry by having an older friend who was a master falconer. He told me he would teach me if I could catch without harming it a falcon. I caught a sparrow hawk or you call it a Kestrel in the UK. I also had ferrets and coursing dogs, Greyhounds so I learned a lot about conservation and respect for wildlife. I don't go into the field much now a days, I am sixty seven and lived a great life but I know the thrill of and heartbreak of owning birds of prey. Thank you for teaching people the art of keeping these wonderful birds and other animals. Even if they miss their quarry they still get a good meal and never ever starve. Keep up the good work, I have rescued many birds from Eagles to Swans and it takes dedicated people like you, so I salute you again!
Howdy from Sacramento! Don't worry about the haters and those unwilling to learn. Many people these days are so disconnected from nature and even from where their own food comes that they may not get it no matter how good the explanation. And yours is a very good explanation!
I think you’ve made us all realize how difficult life in the wild is for predator birds/ your birds really do have a special life🦅 and I love how they love you, Thank you for teaching us about this world❣️✌🏼
My wife and I discovered your channel last night. Watched a dozen videos together. We are really enjoying your channel. So glad you were recommended. We fell in love with Fable and have been saying "Boop Boop" to each other all day and laughing. I bought her a Fable shirt so *fingers crossed* she loves it. Thank you for showing us Fable and Kevin and all the others. Can't wait to meet more!!
This is incredibly interesting. I would love to see some dedicated hunting videos where you'd bring a camera and let us come along through the whole process. I'm learning so much from this. Just amazing, thank you!
Fantastic, well explained.I'm getting a female harris this year, she is an egg at the moment. I can’t wait although I’ve been almost two years getting ready with the help of a friend falconer 30 years plus experience. Been out with him flying merlins and peregrines with his pointers.amazing to see the three of them come together as a team when that happens I’m just amazed. Anyway I’m really enjoying and learning from you . Thank you.
As a retired falconer myself it is absolutely wonderful to hear this sort of news in this day and age. Congratulations and I wish you success and happiness. ❤️
The Hawk Conservancy near Andover used to do training days. They took us out hunting with a beautiful Harris Hawk. Using Ferrets to do the flushing I launched the Bird off the glove and it caught a rabbit. It was an amazing experience. It is a wonderful place to visit, a great day out I would highly recommend it. Another fascinating and informative video Amy, Thank you, I wish I lived nearer to you so I could help out. Stay safe :-)))) xx
With every new video you put out, I am immensely impressed with the ease and eloquence with which you present all of this fascinating information. Really happy that your channel has taken off like this. The fact that you've posted a half-hour talk about hunting and have garnered upwards of 600 likes and 0 dislikes (at the time of my commenting) speaks to how thoughtfully you handle these often hairy subjects that are by and large misunderstood. Thank you for all the work you're putting into this, and please say hi to the little Orange owlet I watched hatching in your recent stream, if he's not already at his new home :)
Thank you! When I was a kid I use to sit up on the hill behind Morlan Nelson’s house and watch all the birds he had behind his house. Living here in the valley there didn’t seem to be summer I wouldn’t run in to him. He did a lot for birds of prey. Watching you and listening to you makes me feel twelve again. Thank you for your passion.
@@wingsandwildlands Its an excellent name. And that shot in the video of Luna's nose by the fluffy baby on the table = pricelessly cute. 34:18 Did you say you loaded your ferrets into the car? Do they go hunting too? Where's the video with them? lol 6:00 I'm intrigued how that works 👀😃 I found your channel by accident a month ago [COVID making us stay inside and find something to do/online learning] and I am grateful that I did (Fable The Raven videos was on right hand video suggestions after watching one of my subscription channels so, of course, I HAD to watch it - who isnt fascinated by watching a Raven say Boop boop?!) I'm almost caught up on your video list and learning a great deal about awesome large birds and your relationships with them. And about you. 💻+🦅 = 💙 Please keep yourself/your animal kingdom safe and contented and make videos whenever you find extra time because we will all watch them. 💖🤗😉💚🦅
Your enthusiasm and passion and respect is so uplifting to me each time I watch. What a treat to see into this whole new world that I knew nothing about!
Thank you, Amy, for sharing your world of these fascinating, majestic birds. Each bird that ends up in your care is quite blessed, a safe home, a loving caretaker, guided hunting tours, and probably a long happy life. You're an exceptional story teller, like the great David Attenborough, you never stop learning. I love how Luna is such a strategic partner and how she craves her role in the hunt. I was wondering, on a gorgeous day with perfect wind, do the birds ever eat their prey and go back up for another pleasure flight, just for the fun of it? Good health! Kevin Fort Lauderdale
OK, Ultimate question from a Falcon Fan: I cannot now and probably never will be in a position to break into falconry like I would love to. Instead, how can I as a regular person alter my daily life to improve the lives of my local falcons? What sorts of actions can I take to encourage a healthy environment for them?
My very first job as a 14 year old was exercising German Shorthair Pointers off my horse. Though I went to nursing school, I quickly returned to animal care. I would MUCH rather work with animals than humans, they don't bite as much & never lie! I've shared your channel with my family, my ferrets were less interested than my teenage grandson 😃 You looked lovely here, as we say in the southern USA, you clean up well. I adore your natural beauty, your passion & your love of nature, many thanks!
I’ve grown up shooting and went to many countryside shows where I got to see birds of prey, but this video has been truly enlightening. I knew you could hunt with falcons but never knew the mechanics of it, or that you use dogs in conjunction with the bird. Thank you very much!
Thanks for answering my question about what hunting means; well done explanation. Your passion and commitment comes through very clearly and your narration is clear and compassionate. Thank you 🙏
As an occasional medieval reenacter I have had an interest in the art of falconry for some time, it being so embedded in the history of the times, plus watching falconers fly their birds at festivals is always such a rush. Thank you for helping continue this ancient art and for helping bring it's beauty to a wider audience.
Ravens aren't much for hunting so much as scavenging, so, what do you do when flying Fable? Just more of an exercise run, or do you have some sort of enrichment course? I know from experience that the pairbond is more than enough to keep them coming back to the fist, but getting them to fly off it can be tough when the food is on you, and so are the cuddles.
I clicked on a Fable video last week and got hooked on your channel. You are so charming and knowledgeable, just a pleasure to watch/listen to. Thank you for sharing your fascinating life and experience. Your love of these fabulous birds shines through in every video. Cheers from the USA!
I am in literal tears. I am full of wonder thinking how beautiful what you see thanks to falconry. To be able to be part of what a bird of prey can do... They are strong creature, made to be so high in the sky than we can't even imagine. Deadly predators, striking from above, feeling the wind on the feathers and being able to play with it and use it to their own advantage. And the dog, too. What they can smell astonishes me. I am a city girl, ignorant of a lot of things about nature but to conceive to have such a keen sense of smell... Nature is truly magic. And the best part is that you all work together like a perfect clock and you are able to be part of this magic.
I truly appreciate your explanations about hunting. I am a dog trainer and many people really don't understand what I do or why people would want their dogs trained to hunt or to do the competitive sports that we participate in. Keep up the good work Amy :)
Another excellent look into the falconers world. Thoroughly enjoyed it even though I've been there, done it and got the tee shirt 😂. Personally Amy I reckon you will definitely make some people seriously think about falconry and maybe dip a toe in the water with a falconry day. ❤️
Had a red setter mix, once upon a time. She would point rock solid on pheasant. For quail (seriously) her nose went up, she pranced in slo-mo, and her tail, like a flag, spelled in the air q. u. a. i. l.
Amy even if we weren't stuck inside, I would have listened to you. I am so glad that you explained ' the hunt' and what each one of you do. Amy i would love to hear about the training. To train, starting with a tiny chick, boggles my mind. The day to day and what each days training involves would be fasinating to learn. Oh Amy how are the little owls doing that you hatched. Have they gone to their homes yet? Oh dear I have to shut up. I'd love to be standing right next to you ad you go thru your day. Thanks for sharing!!!!
I saw a master falconer in the US (Kansas) at a renaissance fair, and the hawk she let loose flew so close over me that her wingtip brushed my scalp! I felt especially blessed, lol. It was an amazing demonstration. I know that at least in the US, to have birds of prey one has to be a licensed master falconer, wasn't sure how that works in the UK. I'm very glad YT recommended your channel a while back, I've been having a lot of fun watching (esp your beautiful raven).
Yes, it takes two years of apprenticeship before you can acquire a license, I was looking into it but seeing as I work on the sea 6 months out of the year it wouldn't be feasible for me so I just volunteer at my local falcon center when I can.
I do hope you don't get pigeon-holed (sorry) as the lady who talks to her raven; this was a fascinating talk and you deserve credit for everything you do to educate.
I used to talk to my birds when cleaning, weighing, flying, etc I would hold conversations with them 😂. I remember once while getting my goshawk out of the car I said to her "Right, lets have a better day shall we". My goshawk looked at me and I said "Don't look at me like that, you know what I mean" and this woman walking her dog looked at me as if I was mad 😂
@@martinbootneck6535 You could have told her "its a Goshawk, the Gos is short for Gossip, they like to talk it up, thats why I'm chatting with the bird".
Your enthusiasm for birds and falconry is more contagious than the pandemic. Came from work, new video from you, yay. I learned that humans, dogs and birds hunt as a trinity 😳. Fascinating.
It’s amazing how much humans are in awe with birds of prey. Yes we hunt with them, but there are and were better ways of securing game even before falconry started. The reason I enjoy falconry is because you are sharing an experience with a bird of prey. I do not get caught up with the head count of game. If my bird catches prey than great. If we don’t catch anything than great as well.
I enjoyed this greatly. I'm vegan (initially due to a gastrointestinal disorder), and while I do believe that humans have the conscious choice over their diet, animals do not. A carnivore is a carnivore, and that's nature. I have a very old (almost 16) domestic house cat, and he's on a completely grain-free diet, because that's what he needs to be healthy. About every other week, I'll buy a full chicken from the store, and what my cat doesn't eat gets left out for the local feral cats/ coyotes/ birds/ etc. and everything left over will decompose naturally and become fertilizer. I firmly believe in the concept of sustainability, and I love that you believe in it as well. I appreciate you coming at this from a educational standpoint, and I hope others can see this for what it is. I love your videos, and thank you for what you are doing.
Amy thank you so much for the great content. Your work is so interesting and I learn something every video. Your style on camera is engaging. You seem like a natural!
Amy, I came to your site because of Fable, the Raven, but I have stayed because of all the rest you so graciously provide. Your knowledge and enthusiasm are addictive. If I were a bird, I would hope to be adopted by you.
Thank you!!! A surprise recommendation, I've really enjoyed EVERY SINGLE video. Fascinating past time, and one that I thought had disappeared altogether. Thank you very much for a humble sharing of your world, it's greatly appreciated!!
Awesome video Amy! Glad that you made the point that these brids are predators, that not only hunt to eat, but also are essential for the control of prey populations. BTW, have you read "H is for Hawk" by Helen Macdonald? I mention this because she is in your neck of the woods........... 😉😉👍👍
Thank You for sharing all this information! First of all, i am a genuin bird lover, but i ofte see that there are a lot of missconception and prejudice against birds of prey out there and i think it is important to help spreading correct information about them in order to help them. Your work here feels genuinly important and professional! A massiv thank You and all other persons involved for your genuine and honest work to help the birds! I think if we all do little the world will piece by pice become a better place for all living things and small things like tis is a solid beginning.
I've seen several of your videos, but this was my favourite. I learned so much. I was a teacher of outddoor education, so much of the tramping about outdoors and seeing predators have a second thought, I've seen. You were spot on with your information and added enough detail about each bird to keep me riveted. Thank-you for the insight into your hunts.
Thank you for the most interesting part of my retired life in these hard times, I have been following you and Fable ever since the pandemic has started here in Canada and I appreciate all the hard work you go through with your birds. As a kid I did raise a wild Horned Owl and loved the experience. Sincerely yours.
Thank you, again, for sharing, and applause for your program appropriate blouse! When you explain the hunt, I can see how falconry is exciting. You are incredibly patient and dedicated to falconry and to your birds of prey. Your dog is pretty wonderful, too, and now I know what "staying on point" really means!
Thank you for talking about what falconry actually is and not avoid the fact that it's a hunting sport at its core. You explained it very elegantly. Love your videos. Make an instagram
You give us a lot of informations about hunting with birds of prey that I never had thought would interest me. But the way you tell about it and your enthusiasm and all your knowledge you have convinced me that I now have gained a lot of knowledge that I didn't know that I have missed. You give us a lot of knowledge about a way to live in the nature that is a privilege to gain insight into. Thank you so much for this! It's amazing to be let into a world that most of us have no idea of that it exists. I have always had a feeling of admiration when I have seen falconers on TV work with their birds of prey. It has mostly been falconers from the Central Asia like Mongolia. I didn't even know that there were working falconers in the countries around me in the Northern Europe so it's very intriguing that there are people who work with the birds of prey in this basic way that has existed for centuries. Amy, you are a remarkable person, your knowledge and experience is so contagious. Thank you so much!
Amazing and inspiring! I wish there were more people like you to pass on this message of how important our interaction with nature is. We are part of it, and we really need to understand, as you say, nature is not a Disney film. I am a vegetarian and hate the idea of hunting, but we have the choice of not eating meat. Some animals are simply carnivores - like lions - who would never eat grass, as your birds will never eat seeds! I find your work awesome, please keep posting!
You’re so chock full of knowledge! It’s honestly captivating to listen to you talk and feed us all of this awesome information. I applaud you for your impact on all of your animals and your surroundings. It’s so obvious you love what you do and I am so appreciative you chose to share this with us!
Your video is such an excellent presentation in the history, practicality and joy of Falconry! Many thanks for your insights. I love the idea and history of Falconry and would join the practice in a heartbeat. I am also aware that the work involved and the care needed to keep the birds healthy is beyond my means and location. So thanks for letting me live vicariously and share in your love for raptors and covids and your working dogs. I also love and appreciate your partnership with these birds. You truly are their "servant", "partner", and you recognize that they only need you as long as you are a useful "perch" and "food source" . 🙂 I am so glad to see someone so well rounded and dedicated to their birds and the craft of Falconry. Brava!
Appreciated hearing that there are vegetarian Falconers! Grateful to have stumbled across your channel. Thank you for putting out high quality content and for articulating so eloquently why Falconry is so ecologically and culturally important, as well as vital for the species preservation of these beautiful birds of prey and all their healthy existence effects. As a vegetarian who does not enjoy the suffering of any creature, I honor the natural cycle of life. Given the chance to engage in Falconry, I would totally hunt with my birds. Thank you!
thank you! thank you! thank you! i really appreciate the time you set aside from your hectic busy schedule to create your fascinating and informative vlogs!
Lovely video, Amy. Thank you for taking the time to make it. I'm already looking forward to the next one and especially to see the birds hunting when the season arrives.
Honesty this is probably my favourite RUclips channel at the moment. I just found it 4 days ago but now, I really want to do falconry. It seems so incredible to have that sort of mutual respect with a bird of prey. Not as a pet of course but like partners.
Hello from the US! Came for the Fable, stayed for the education and love of nature. Didn't even see ol' Fable but you've earned a new sub! Thank you for what you do and awesome to see your channel growing! You deserve it. Cheers!
@@wingsandwildlands indeed... and random suggestion if you haven't already gotten a thousand of the same, but -- an "angry bird" blooper/ compilation would be hilarious. Maybe just your birds being jerks at inopportune times set to a loop of cheesy tunes. Us Americans love that stuff hahaha. true story ;)
Wonderful intro thank's for explaining. One of my highlights on my last trip to the UK was going to the Falconry in the Cotswolds. I adore birds and with amazing people like yourself they have a better chance!
Very informative Q&A. I have been interested in falconry for a very long time but have only had the opportunity to be around it maybe twice. Love watching your RUclips content. Thank You
As someone whose knowledge of falcons comes almost exclusively from watching urban nest cams, it is very exciting to learn about falconry. Here in California, the falcon population was endangered from pesticide use, but the population has rebounded, so much so that there is competition over urban nest sites. Often juvenile males will chase birds from established nest sites. One pair of falcons chose to nest on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and their nest had to be removed from the site, as fledging would have been extra perilous for the chicks :) Thank you for the excellent video, Amy.
I sometimes go and watch wild falcon (kārearea) catching the wild bush pigeon, in mid air. I have a favorite spot,up at the back of my property, which is up on top of some cliff faces . This is the same area that these birds are nesting too, so im careful to not go near to where they nest. I just sit quietly,and watch, and enjoy the sounds of nature.The smell of the fresh bush air. If you're lucky you'll see the falcon catch a pigeon . They hit the bird with such speed that you'll see a "puff" of feathers (like a pillow that had burst in a pillow fight) as the falcon hits the bird . The speed of the kill , kills the prey spontaneously, in mid air, due to the speed of the impact.It causes instant concussion. So the prey generally doesn't suffer. Thanks for your videos.I love them. Great info
Fabulous introduction into the world of falconry. I have always been a huge admirer of raptors. I watched a video showing a man hunting with his Golden eagle for winter hares and rabbits. The eagle was wearing a GoPro camera and the views were totally spellbinding.
Fascinating and informative content as always. I definitely learned a lot from this video, and as you say came out of it with even more questions. ;D -You mentioned some of your educational birds don't hunt, like the owls and kestrels. What sort of enrichment do you provide them to substitute for or replace that hunting experience? I'd assume that their educational work fulfills a large part of this, so what do those programs look like? -I don't know how well you'd be able to answer this, since you said you don't use your birds' hunting as a food source for yourself, but if one were to cook and eat say, a rabbit that a hawk had brought down, how would the preparation differ from other methods of capturing that animal? The bird has already eaten part of the meat, so would you as a human have to take that into account in any way? I'd be particularly interested if you know of any historical sources that mention this! I look forward to future videos!
Thank you for taking the time to do these videos and share your knowledge in answering all these thoughtful questions. I am totally taken in by your enthusiasm and obvious love of these birds. You are the perfect ambassador for this magical world of falconry. Thanks again!
Thank you for this. How are the owlets doing? I appreciate you being candid about the “facts of life” insofar as hunting a raptor goes, because so many people live totally divorced from the natural cycles of life and death in nature.
What an amazing video. I’m so grateful for all of the information, myth-busting and reality of nature that you’ve shared. I had a very outdated view of people flinging meat on the end of a string. I’m so relieved that it is a very natural and holistic process, the way that you practice falconry. Thank you again for all of the fantastic information.
I'm so happy I stumbled across your channel recently as I've been fascinated by birds or prey all my life, but as much as I wanted to become a falconer it hasn't been possible. Now though, I can live that experience through you and your birds and cannot wait for the hunting to begin😊🍻
My husband and I hunt with traditional and compound bows , though injury has kept us from it. Thank you for this insight into your hunting with your birds. Not falconers ourselves, but Indiana has a large falconry community We also believe in not wasting anything.
I needed this video today. 24/7 virus and politics is depressing. I've filmed a female Cooper's hawk once catch and eat an entire Eurasian collared dove. Once she was done, she collected up both wings and carried them back to the nest for bedding. I've never seen them waste any food once they have their prey chocked out.
Your videos are so great! I grew up raising German shepherds and found their hunting instincts really fascinating, but this is on another level! And your explanations show how much time and care it takes to get to where you are..wow.. I have been watching you for a couple of months since you were are at 40k subscribers and now you are at 114k!! Congrats, you deserve it! Next is a TED talk!
I live in north eastern United States on one of the major migratory flyways. We have eagles, buzzards, hawks, falcons, owls, osprey, herons, etc. I feed song birds on their migration and every once in a while they are caught by a kestrel or red tail hawk. This is fine with me because it is the natural order of things and everyone needs to eat. We have a cedar fence with a flat top rail. A red tail hawk was watching the bird feeders waiting for an opportunity to get a meal when one of out big gray squirrels came trotting down the rail towards the hawk. Once he was within 3 feet of the hawk the squirrel stopped and realized he was in a predicament. The hawk carefully eyed him but did not move so the squirrel moved closer but then thought better of it and slipped down the side of the fence. The hawk dived on a small bird that slipped under the fence and the hawk flew up and over the fence and caught the bird on the other side. It was an amazing sight
Very interesting. I appreciate how you care for your birds, they are very lucky birds to be in your care and I feel lucky to have a window into your time with them. Thank you !
I love listening to you speak about falconry! I have learned so much and I find the hunt collaboration between you, the falcon, and the dog so interesting. It looks so fun and rewarding when it goes well!
Appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I've always been interested in falcony. The Australasian Harrier is the only bird of prey legally available for falcony in New Zealand. ✌
I am not a hunter, nor ever really cared about falconry, but you and Fable have won me over. I truly listen to the knowledge of your craft that you share with us. I really appreciate the care you have for your birds and animals. I love animals and believe in you and the ways in which you care about your environment. PLEASE continue to allow us into your world, it's very interesting and Fable is AWESOME. Boop Boop forever!!!!
Boop boop FOR LIFE!!!✊.... I might get that tattooed on my abdomen🤔..."Boop Life"
Boop! Boop! Gang
:c)
Boop Boop to all of you
@@JohnWayne-86ed the boop life chose me...
*Where do you even find the time to answer questions and make these videos..we appreciate it...we know you’re a busy lady!*
I don't know lol - but I'll keep doing my best to make content x
Falconry And Me yes pleaseee! Sent you an email hope you got it. I’m sure you have a backlog. You’re going to have to train Fable to answer emails lol. Great editing also..for someone who claims they aren’t very pc savvy you’re doing excellent work !
Slowly working my way through them 🙈 will catch up with you soon :)
@@wingsandwildlands take care...good luck with the move! If I wasn't separated via an ocean I would lend the services of my Toyota pickup.
@@Whiteshell204 Falcons don't like Toyota trucks, they'll refuse to ride in anything but a "Ford Falcon" tailing a "Volkswagen Rabbit" to their new location.
I am now a proud owner of a Fable "Wow, Boop Boop" T-shirt!
Fable is pretty dang cool.
Next time I get paid I'm deffo going to join you in that!
Nice Tee-shirt 👍
My T-Shirt arrived today. :oD
I'd like a T-Shirt with the imprint "Quoth the raven: 'Boop boop! Mwah!" Fable is so lovely.
From what I can tell it seems like falconry is much more focused on the animals well being and preserving the species rather than what the person gets from it, at least now a days when food isn't much of a problem anymore. It's truly fascinating what kind of bond you need to have with the bird. For some reason I used to think falconry was a much more morally grey area, though I must admit I never took the time to get myself familiar with it either. Very informative video!
AwkwardFeline I genuinely like how interactive yet professional Amy is with her birds. It’s behavior that’s mimicked in Nature-thoughtful respect.
Love the way you started this - as personally I have zero interest in hunting but at the same time I have absolutely zero issue with someone, such as yourself, hunting in the way you do. As you say and are correct about this is nature and how our world and these amazing animals work - I do, like many, have issues with "sport" hunting which is clearly not what this is. So thanks again for your detailed and very well produced videos. Like many of your viewers I had no interest in these animals until I stumbled across you (I was in the first 20k subs BTW!)
Thank you very much for your comments. I feel honoured to engage with such an interesting and varied audience. Thank you for following the channel for so long too :) hope you continue to enjoy.
you, the falcon, and the dog together are a badass trio.
Just stumbled upon your channel. I started falconry by having an older friend who was a master falconer. He told me he would teach me if I could catch without harming it a falcon. I caught a sparrow hawk or you call it a Kestrel in the UK. I also had ferrets and coursing dogs, Greyhounds so I learned a lot about conservation and respect for wildlife. I don't go into the field much now a days, I am sixty seven and lived a great life but I know the thrill of and heartbreak of owning birds of prey. Thank you for teaching people the art of keeping these wonderful birds and other animals. Even if they miss their quarry they still get a good meal and never ever starve. Keep up the good work, I have rescued many birds from Eagles to Swans and it takes dedicated people like you, so I salute you again!
Howdy from Sacramento! Don't worry about the haters and those unwilling to learn. Many people these days are so disconnected from nature and even from where their own food comes that they may not get it no matter how good the explanation. And yours is a very good explanation!
I think you’ve made us all realize how difficult life in the wild is for predator birds/ your birds really do have a special life🦅 and I love how they love you,
Thank you for teaching us about this world❣️✌🏼
I love that everyone loves learning about it
My wife and I discovered your channel last night. Watched a dozen videos together. We are really enjoying your channel. So glad you were recommended. We fell in love with Fable and have been saying "Boop Boop" to each other all day and laughing. I bought her a Fable shirt so *fingers crossed* she loves it. Thank you for showing us Fable and Kevin and all the others. Can't wait to meet more!!
This is incredibly interesting. I would love to see some dedicated hunting videos where you'd bring a camera and let us come along through the whole process. I'm learning so much from this. Just amazing, thank you!
Fantastic, well explained.I'm getting a female harris this year, she is an egg at the moment.
I can’t wait although I’ve been almost two years getting ready with the help of a friend falconer 30 years plus experience. Been out with him flying merlins and peregrines with his pointers.amazing to see the three of them come together as a team when that happens I’m just amazed. Anyway I’m really enjoying and learning from you .
Thank you.
As a retired falconer myself it is absolutely wonderful to hear this sort of news in this day and age. Congratulations and I wish you success and happiness. ❤️
Oh best of luck to you, and well done for taking the time to learn before getting your own bird. :)
The Hawk Conservancy near Andover used to do training days. They took us out hunting with a beautiful Harris Hawk. Using Ferrets to do the flushing I launched the Bird off the glove and it caught a rabbit. It was an amazing experience. It is a wonderful place to visit, a great day out I would highly recommend it. Another fascinating and informative video Amy, Thank you, I wish I lived nearer to you so I could help out. Stay safe :-)))) xx
With every new video you put out, I am immensely impressed with the ease and eloquence with which you present all of this fascinating information. Really happy that your channel has taken off like this. The fact that you've posted a half-hour talk about hunting and have garnered upwards of 600 likes and 0 dislikes (at the time of my commenting) speaks to how thoughtfully you handle these often hairy subjects that are by and large misunderstood. Thank you for all the work you're putting into this, and please say hi to the little Orange owlet I watched hatching in your recent stream, if he's not already at his new home :)
Thank You for finding the time to share your knowledge and experiences with us :)
Thank you! When I was a kid I use to sit up on the hill behind Morlan Nelson’s house and watch all the birds he had behind his house. Living here in the valley there didn’t seem to be summer I wouldn’t run in to him. He did a lot for birds of prey. Watching you and listening to you makes me feel twelve again. Thank you for your passion.
What a gorgeous pointer!
She really is. Her name is Luna
@@wingsandwildlands What a good girl Luna is! Beautiful!
@@wingsandwildlands Its an excellent name. And that shot in the video of Luna's nose by the fluffy baby on the table = pricelessly cute. 34:18
Did you say you loaded your ferrets into the car? Do they go hunting too? Where's the video with them? lol 6:00 I'm intrigued how that works 👀😃
I found your channel by accident a month ago [COVID making us stay inside and find something to do/online learning] and I am grateful that I did (Fable The Raven videos was on right hand video suggestions after watching one of my subscription channels so, of course, I HAD to watch it - who isnt fascinated by watching a Raven say Boop boop?!)
I'm almost caught up on your video list and learning a great deal about awesome large birds and your relationships with them. And about you. 💻+🦅 = 💙
Please keep yourself/your animal kingdom safe and contented and make videos whenever you find extra time because we will all watch them. 💖🤗😉💚🦅
Your enthusiasm and passion and respect is so uplifting to me each time I watch. What a treat to see into this whole new world that I knew nothing about!
Thank you, Amy, for sharing your world of these fascinating, majestic birds. Each bird that ends up in your care is quite blessed, a safe home, a loving caretaker, guided hunting tours, and probably a long happy life.
You're an exceptional story teller, like the great David Attenborough, you never stop learning. I love how Luna is such a strategic partner and how she craves her role in the hunt. I was wondering, on a gorgeous day with perfect wind, do the birds ever eat their prey and go back up for another pleasure flight, just for the fun of it? Good health!
Kevin
Fort Lauderdale
OK, Ultimate question from a Falcon Fan:
I cannot now and probably never will be in a position to break into falconry like I would love to. Instead, how can I as a regular person alter my daily life to improve the lives of my local falcons? What sorts of actions can I take to encourage a healthy environment for them?
My very first job as a 14 year old was exercising German Shorthair Pointers off my horse. Though I went to nursing school, I quickly returned to animal care. I would MUCH rather work with animals than humans, they don't bite as much & never lie!
I've shared your channel with my family, my ferrets were less interested than my teenage grandson 😃
You looked lovely here, as we say in the southern USA, you clean up well. I adore your natural beauty, your passion & your love of nature, many thanks!
I’ve grown up shooting and went to many countryside shows where I got to see birds of prey, but this video has been truly enlightening. I knew you could hunt with falcons but never knew the mechanics of it, or that you use dogs in conjunction with the bird. Thank you very much!
Thanks for answering my question about what hunting means; well done explanation. Your passion and commitment comes through very clearly and your narration is clear and compassionate. Thank you 🙏
As an occasional medieval reenacter I have had an interest in the art of falconry for some time, it being so embedded in the history of the times, plus watching falconers fly their birds at festivals is always such a rush. Thank you for helping continue this ancient art and for helping bring it's beauty to a wider audience.
Ravens aren't much for hunting so much as scavenging, so, what do you do when flying Fable? Just more of an exercise run, or do you have some sort of enrichment course?
I know from experience that the pairbond is more than enough to keep them coming back to the fist, but getting them to fly off it can be tough when the food is on you, and so are the cuddles.
I love that still of the dog next to the bird while it eats.
I clicked on a Fable video last week and got hooked on your channel. You are so charming and knowledgeable, just a pleasure to watch/listen to. Thank you for sharing your fascinating life and experience. Your love of these fabulous birds shines through in every video. Cheers from the USA!
I am in literal tears.
I am full of wonder thinking how beautiful what you see thanks to falconry.
To be able to be part of what a bird of prey can do... They are strong creature, made to be so high in the sky than we can't even imagine. Deadly predators, striking from above, feeling the wind on the feathers and being able to play with it and use it to their own advantage.
And the dog, too. What they can smell astonishes me. I am a city girl, ignorant of a lot of things about nature but to conceive to have such a keen sense of smell...
Nature is truly magic.
And the best part is that you all work together like a perfect clock and you are able to be part of this magic.
I truly appreciate your explanations about hunting. I am a dog trainer and many people really don't understand what I do or why people would want their dogs trained to hunt or to do the competitive sports that we participate in. Keep up the good work Amy :)
Another excellent look into the falconers world. Thoroughly enjoyed it even though I've been there, done it and got the tee shirt 😂. Personally Amy I reckon you will definitely make some people seriously think about falconry and maybe dip a toe in the water with a falconry day. ❤️
Thanks as always Martin :)
I will repeat myself I think, I am amazed at all that PASSION and congratulations for your success with your RUclips.
You are so concise and clear I can almost imagine your hunting.
Had a red setter mix, once upon a time. She would point rock solid on pheasant. For quail (seriously) her nose went up, she pranced in slo-mo, and her tail, like a flag, spelled in the air q. u. a. i. l.
Amy even if we weren't stuck inside, I would have listened to you. I am so glad that you explained ' the hunt' and what each one of you do. Amy i would love to hear about the training. To train, starting with a tiny chick, boggles my mind. The day to day and what each days training involves would be fasinating to learn. Oh Amy how are the little owls doing that you hatched. Have they gone to their homes yet? Oh dear I have to shut up. I'd love to be standing right next to you ad you go thru your day. Thanks for sharing!!!!
I will cover training in the coming months and yes I will put another update video up of the owls very soon :)
I saw a master falconer in the US (Kansas) at a renaissance fair, and the hawk she let loose flew so close over me that her wingtip brushed my scalp! I felt especially blessed, lol. It was an amazing demonstration. I know that at least in the US, to have birds of prey one has to be a licensed master falconer, wasn't sure how that works in the UK. I'm very glad YT recommended your channel a while back, I've been having a lot of fun watching (esp your beautiful raven).
Yes, it takes two years of apprenticeship before you can acquire a license, I was looking into it but seeing as I work on the sea 6 months out of the year it wouldn't be feasible for me so I just volunteer at my local falcon center when I can.
John Wayne do these local falcon centers offer apprenticeships or does one typically work that out with a master falconer on an individual basis?
I do hope you don't get pigeon-holed (sorry) as the lady who talks to her raven; this was a fascinating talk and you deserve credit for everything you do to educate.
I used to talk to my birds when cleaning, weighing, flying, etc I would hold conversations with them 😂. I remember once while getting my goshawk out of the car I said to her "Right, lets have a better day shall we". My goshawk looked at me and I said "Don't look at me like that, you know what I mean" and this woman walking her dog looked at me as if I was mad 😂
@@martinbootneck6535 You could have told her "its a Goshawk, the Gos is short for Gossip, they like to talk it up, thats why I'm chatting with the bird".
@@JohnWayne-86ed No way, otherwise the woman and the goshawk get talking, I could have been there for hours 😂
Your enthusiasm for birds and falconry is more contagious than the pandemic. Came from work, new video from you, yay. I learned that humans, dogs and birds hunt as a trinity 😳. Fascinating.
I thank you for what you do for those magnificent birds
Absolutely obsessed, not even something I thought I needed in my life until RUclips suggested it.
It’s amazing how much humans are in awe with birds of prey. Yes we hunt with them, but there are and were better ways of securing game even before falconry started. The reason I enjoy falconry is because you are sharing an experience with a bird of prey. I do not get caught up with the head count of game. If my bird catches prey than great. If we don’t catch anything than great as well.
you consistently come across as a lovely person. I think the birds are lucky to have you.
I enjoyed this greatly. I'm vegan (initially due to a gastrointestinal disorder), and while I do believe that humans have the conscious choice over their diet, animals do not. A carnivore is a carnivore, and that's nature. I have a very old (almost 16) domestic house cat, and he's on a completely grain-free diet, because that's what he needs to be healthy. About every other week, I'll buy a full chicken from the store, and what my cat doesn't eat gets left out for the local feral cats/ coyotes/ birds/ etc. and everything left over will decompose naturally and become fertilizer. I firmly believe in the concept of sustainability, and I love that you believe in it as well. I appreciate you coming at this from a educational standpoint, and I hope others can see this for what it is. I love your videos, and thank you for what you are doing.
good for you. Well said.
when I used to live in New Jersey I used to love watching the wild Peregrine falcons flying over my house, very relaxing. Really enjoying your channel
Amy thank you so much for the great content. Your work is so interesting and I learn something every video. Your style on camera is engaging. You seem like a natural!
Amy, I came to your site because of Fable, the Raven, but I have stayed because of all the rest you so graciously provide. Your knowledge and enthusiasm are addictive. If I were a bird, I would hope to be adopted by you.
Thanks and welcome to the channel Rob!
You are a most amazing women. Thanks for sharing your incredible life with me and many others that appreciate your craft.
Thank you!!! A surprise recommendation, I've really enjoyed EVERY SINGLE video. Fascinating past time, and one that I thought had disappeared altogether. Thank you very much for a humble sharing of your world, it's greatly appreciated!!
So there was much more to this channel than wow and boop-boop. I am excited already for what could be coming up.
Awesome video Amy! Glad that you made the point that these brids are predators, that not only hunt to eat, but also are essential for the control of prey populations. BTW, have you read "H is for Hawk" by Helen Macdonald? I mention this because she is in your neck of the woods........... 😉😉👍👍
Yes great book and a lovely lady too
Thank You for sharing all this information! First of all, i am a genuin bird lover, but i ofte see that there are a lot of missconception and prejudice against birds of prey out there and i think it is important to help spreading correct information about them in order to help them. Your work here feels genuinly important and professional! A massiv thank You and all other persons involved for your genuine and honest work to help the birds! I think if we all do little the world will piece by pice become a better place for all living things and small things like tis is a solid beginning.
Amy, you are a great teacher. I’ve learned so much and look forward to watching your move and the owlets and Fable and so much more. Boop Boop🦅🦉🦆
I really appreciate how dedicated you are in both what you do and helping us understand it. Its obvious you respect your birds.
I've seen several of your videos, but this was my favourite. I learned so much. I was a teacher of outddoor education, so much of the tramping about outdoors and seeing predators have a second thought, I've seen. You were spot on with your information and added enough detail about each bird to keep me riveted. Thank-you for the insight into your hunts.
I knew nothing about falconry before and am enjoying the learning and how you interact with these beautiful birds. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for the most interesting part of my retired life in these hard times, I have been following you and Fable ever since the pandemic has started here in Canada and I appreciate all the hard work you go through with your birds. As a kid I did raise a wild Horned Owl and loved the experience. Sincerely yours.
Thank you, again, for sharing, and applause for your program appropriate blouse! When you explain the hunt, I can see how falconry is exciting. You are incredibly patient and dedicated to falconry and to your birds of prey. Your dog is pretty wonderful, too, and now I know what "staying on point" really means!
Thank you for talking about what falconry actually is and not avoid the fact that it's a hunting sport at its core. You explained it very elegantly. Love your videos. Make an instagram
Thank you. I have an Instagram. Link on the about page of my channel :)
Falconry And Me I found it great pics! thank you
Love these birds. I wish I could visit and see this happen in person! Thanks so much for your thorough explanations.
You give us a lot of informations about hunting with birds of prey that I never had thought would interest me. But the way you tell about it and your enthusiasm and all your knowledge you have convinced me that I now have gained a lot of knowledge that I didn't know that I have missed. You give us a lot of knowledge about a way to live in the nature that is a privilege to gain insight into. Thank you so much for this! It's amazing to be let into a world that most of us have no idea of that it exists. I have always had a feeling of admiration when I have seen falconers on TV work with their birds of prey. It has mostly been falconers from the Central Asia like Mongolia. I didn't even know that there were working falconers in the countries around me in the Northern Europe so it's very intriguing that there are people who work with the birds of prey in this basic way that has existed for centuries.
Amy, you are a remarkable person, your knowledge and experience is so contagious. Thank you so much!
Amazing and inspiring! I wish there were more people like you to pass on this message of how important our interaction with nature is. We are part of it, and we really need to understand, as you say, nature is not a Disney film. I am a vegetarian and hate the idea of hunting, but we have the choice of not eating meat. Some animals are simply carnivores - like lions - who would never eat grass, as your birds will never eat seeds! I find your work awesome, please keep posting!
its just so wonderfu to see how you work so closely with the animals in your life. that wonderful bond that you have with the birds and your dogs.
I find Falconry, as you explained it fascinating. Thank you, once again for sharing your time.
You’re so chock full of knowledge! It’s honestly captivating to listen to you talk and feed us all of this awesome information. I applaud you for your impact on all of your animals and your surroundings. It’s so obvious you love what you do and I am so appreciative you chose to share this with us!
The world of using ferrets for hunting is so amazing and I love that you slightly mentioned it!
Your video is such an excellent presentation in the history, practicality and joy of Falconry! Many thanks for your insights. I love the idea and history of Falconry and would join the practice in a heartbeat. I am also aware that the work involved and the care needed to keep the birds healthy is beyond my means and location. So thanks for letting me live vicariously and share in your love for raptors and covids and your working dogs. I also love and appreciate your partnership with these birds. You truly are their "servant", "partner", and you recognize that they only need you as long as you are a useful "perch" and "food source" . 🙂 I am so glad to see someone so well rounded and dedicated to their birds and the craft of Falconry. Brava!
Appreciated hearing that there are vegetarian Falconers! Grateful to have stumbled across your channel. Thank you for putting out high quality content and for articulating so eloquently why Falconry is so ecologically and culturally important, as well as vital for the species preservation of these beautiful birds of prey and all their healthy existence effects. As a vegetarian who does not enjoy the suffering of any creature, I honor the natural cycle of life. Given the chance to engage in Falconry, I would totally hunt with my birds. Thank you!
thank you! thank you! thank you! i really appreciate the time you set aside from your hectic busy schedule to create your fascinating and informative vlogs!
Lovely video, Amy. Thank you for taking the time to make it. I'm already looking forward to the next one and especially to see the birds hunting when the season arrives.
Honesty this is probably my favourite RUclips channel at the moment. I just found it 4 days ago but now, I really want to do falconry. It seems so incredible to have that sort of mutual respect with a bird of prey. Not as a pet of course but like partners.
You are a gem. Thank you I'm learning so much. Your friend f RF om Tempe Arizona United Stated
These beautiful animals are lucky to have people like you. Hopefully these videos will give people some insight into that.
Thanks so much Amy. So nice to get a glimpse into details of all that you're doing. The kinship of man and animal is always captivating to watch.
You definitely should be a lecturer or write a book! Very informative and detailed!
Hello from the US! Came for the Fable, stayed for the education and love of nature. Didn't even see ol' Fable but you've earned a new sub! Thank you for what you do and awesome to see your channel growing! You deserve it. Cheers!
Thanks and welcome :)
@@wingsandwildlands indeed... and random suggestion if you haven't already gotten a thousand of the same, but -- an "angry bird" blooper/ compilation would be hilarious. Maybe just your birds being jerks at inopportune times set to a loop of cheesy tunes. Us Americans love that stuff hahaha. true story ;)
Wonderful intro thank's for explaining. One of my highlights on my last trip to the UK was going to the Falconry in the Cotswolds. I adore birds and with amazing people like yourself they have a better chance!
Very informative Q&A. I have been interested in falconry for a very long time but have only had the opportunity to be around it maybe twice. Love watching your RUclips content. Thank You
I really like the way you explain things. Keep up the great work. Can t wait to see more. Greetings from Germany
As someone whose knowledge of falcons comes almost exclusively from watching urban nest cams, it is very exciting to learn about falconry. Here in California, the falcon population was endangered from pesticide use, but the population has rebounded, so much so that there is competition over urban nest sites. Often juvenile males will chase birds from established nest sites. One pair of falcons chose to nest on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and their nest had to be removed from the site, as fledging would have been extra perilous for the chicks :) Thank you for the excellent video, Amy.
So excited to learn about this. Looking forward to seeing falconry in action
Like your style and ethos lass
I sometimes go and watch wild falcon (kārearea) catching the wild bush pigeon, in mid air. I have a favorite spot,up at the back of my property, which is up on top of some cliff faces . This is the same area that these birds are nesting too, so im careful to not go near to where they nest. I just sit quietly,and watch, and enjoy the sounds of nature.The smell of the fresh bush air. If you're lucky you'll see the falcon catch a pigeon . They hit the bird with such speed that you'll see a "puff" of feathers (like a pillow that had burst in a pillow fight) as the falcon hits the bird . The speed of the kill , kills the prey spontaneously, in mid air, due to the speed of the impact.It causes instant concussion. So the prey generally doesn't suffer. Thanks for your videos.I love them. Great info
Fabulous introduction into the world of falconry. I have always been a huge admirer of raptors. I watched a video showing a man hunting with his Golden eagle for winter hares and rabbits. The eagle was wearing a GoPro camera and the views were totally spellbinding.
Ferrets were mentioned at the beginning of this video. Hopefully their part in the team will be covered in a future video???
Yes I will do some content on ferrets :)
Yes, hunt & kill some ferrets!
@@johnsmith1474 hunting with them not killing them guy..
Fascinating and informative content as always. I definitely learned a lot from this video, and as you say came out of it with even more questions. ;D
-You mentioned some of your educational birds don't hunt, like the owls and kestrels. What sort of enrichment do you provide them to substitute for or replace that hunting experience? I'd assume that their educational work fulfills a large part of this, so what do those programs look like?
-I don't know how well you'd be able to answer this, since you said you don't use your birds' hunting as a food source for yourself, but if one were to cook and eat say, a rabbit that a hawk had brought down, how would the preparation differ from other methods of capturing that animal? The bird has already eaten part of the meat, so would you as a human have to take that into account in any way? I'd be particularly interested if you know of any historical sources that mention this!
I look forward to future videos!
Thank you for taking the time to do these videos and share your knowledge in answering all these thoughtful questions. I am totally taken in by your enthusiasm and obvious love of these birds. You are the perfect ambassador for this magical world of falconry. Thanks again!
Thank you for this. How are the owlets doing? I appreciate you being candid about the “facts of life” insofar as hunting a raptor goes, because so many people live totally divorced from the natural cycles of life and death in nature.
I have felt for many years that an Osprey was my spirit animal.
What an amazing video. I’m so grateful for all of the information, myth-busting and reality of nature that you’ve shared. I had a very outdated view of people flinging meat on the end of a string. I’m so relieved that it is a very natural and holistic process, the way that you practice falconry. Thank you again for all of the fantastic information.
Congrats on OVER 100,000 subs!! Yaaaay!! Fable you're a star!!!☺️☺️☺️
I'm so happy I stumbled across your channel recently as I've been fascinated by birds or prey all my life, but as much as I wanted to become a falconer it hasn't been possible. Now though, I can live that experience through you and your birds and cannot wait for the hunting to begin😊🍻
Welcome to the channel 😊
This is my new favorite channel. Thank you for all your information and insight.
My husband and I hunt with traditional and compound bows , though injury has kept us from it. Thank you for this insight into your hunting with your birds. Not falconers ourselves, but Indiana has a large falconry community We also believe in not wasting anything.
I needed this video today. 24/7 virus and politics is depressing.
I've filmed a female Cooper's hawk once catch and eat an entire Eurasian collared dove. Once she was done, she collected up both wings and carried them back to the nest for bedding. I've never seen them waste any food once they have their prey chocked out.
Your videos are so great! I grew up raising German shepherds and found their hunting instincts really fascinating, but this is on another level! And your explanations show how much time and care it takes to get to where you are..wow.. I have been watching you for a couple of months since you were are at 40k subscribers and now you are at 114k!! Congrats, you deserve it! Next is a TED talk!
I live in north eastern United States on one of the major migratory flyways. We have eagles, buzzards, hawks, falcons, owls, osprey, herons, etc. I feed song birds on their migration and every once in a while they are caught by a kestrel or red tail hawk. This is fine with me because it is the natural order of things and everyone needs to eat. We have a cedar fence with a flat top rail. A red tail hawk was watching the bird feeders waiting for an opportunity to get a meal when one of out big gray squirrels came trotting down the rail towards the hawk. Once he was within 3 feet of the hawk the squirrel stopped and realized he was in a predicament. The hawk carefully eyed him but did not move so the squirrel moved closer but then thought better of it and slipped down the side of the fence. The hawk dived on a small bird that slipped under the fence and the hawk flew up and over the fence and caught the bird on the other side. It was an amazing sight
Very interesting. I appreciate how you care for your birds, they are very lucky birds to be in your care and I feel lucky to have a window into your time with them. Thank you !
I love listening to you speak about falconry! I have learned so much and I find the hunt collaboration between you, the falcon, and the dog so interesting. It looks so fun and rewarding when it goes well!
Appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I've always been interested in falcony. The Australasian Harrier is the only bird of prey legally available for falcony in New Zealand. ✌
I think that your doing an absolutely beautiful thing, so cool how you interact with the birds, Thank You for the vids
Thank you for all you do. Such a good teacher. Your birds are so stunning beautiful. So glad I watched