Puddy update and Jasper entered to game.

I put Puddy outside in the weathering area Monday morning. I tried to get her to jump to the fist so that I could weigh her and if she acted right, fly her. In the evening when I put Jessie up for the night she again refused to come to the fist. I left her in the weathering area overnight. She got no food. This evening I again went in and tried to get her to jump to the fist for a tidbit, she again refused, same treatment. Perhaps tomorrow evening she will see fit to at least come to the fist so that I can feed her.

Tami and Tara brought the kids and Jasper over after dinner. Karen volunteered to be the lifeguard for the kids while we flew Jasper. We turned Jasper loose and Tami called him to the fist a couple of times. He showed no hesitation at all. We walked out into the rough on the other side of the runway, and while Tami, who was about twenty yards away, walked to meet us, I slipped a Black Bird out onto the ground. Jasper immediately gave chase and soon caught it, taking it to the ground to fight it out. He soon gained the upper hand and had control of the bird. He paid no attention to either Tami or anything other than the bird that he had in his feet. Tami killed the bird and let him start to feed. Since he seemed to not be concerned by her presence, I advised her to try to pick him and the bird up to finish his meal. He made no objection at all and finished his bird while we watched the kids swimming in the pool.

Tami has done an excellent job with this Kestrel. It has been a source of amazement to her the difference between a December bird and one from a family group. It is a bit like two different species. The young birds have no bad habits, no preconceived ideas of how to do things. A much easier, much more fun proposition.