Cinnamon Toast was a late-trapped bird, but we are salvaging a little of the season. On January 20 we accepted the invitation of Kirk Payne to come hunt on his land out behind his house. He did not take a bird to train this year, a promise to his wife, so has asked some of the other falconers in the Minnesota Falconry Club to invite him to get a fix.
I am still feeling out how this bird likes to hunt. She obviously was taking good care of herself before I trapped her, so has a very keen prey drive. Once released she gets about the business of hunting right away. Almost to my detriment, as she seems to like to fly a distance from me sometimes. I don't think she quite understands my value in the field to kick up prey for her.
She was successful, after a time, but all three of us in the field neither saw her dive for her prey, nor knew quite where to look for her. Once we noticed she was no longer in the trees above us, we listened and would here just the occasional tink of her bells. Eventually, Kirk found her on Bunny #2.
All was great, bird hunted and caught game, bird recovered, and a great day out. The only exception was my discovering once we were back in the car and had driven away that my glasses were no longer on my head.
A quick call back to Kirk, and he walked back up his hill and found them at the kill site.
Thanks for the extra effort Kirk! Also THANKS for letting us fly in your back yard.
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