Jasper still improving!

Jasper weighed 94.5 grams, and was excited and ready to fly. Tami turned him loose and we started out into the field. He had been really fidgety, wanting to get started. Last night the Say's Phoebe strafed him when he caught his bird. This evening she was sitting on the rock jack as we were walking out. I suggested to Tami that she turn Jasper loose and see what happens. He actually flew towards her, but it was quite obvious that she was in full strength, so he just landed on the rock jack. The Phoebe didn't contest the spot. We continued on out into the field, and Jasper was flying to Tami, back to the jack, then to my head, on to Tami. As we got out to the runway, he took off and flew into the wind and into a hover. As soon as he did, I yelled and chucked a Black Bird. He did not hesitate and tried to take the bird in a head on flight. The bird ducked and they did two or three whoop te do's before he drove it to the ground and grappled with it there.

 You will notice that you never see the head on these birds. He grabs them by the head, thus keeping them from biting him and keeping them from getting away. They still put up a pretty serious fight with their feet as well.

 Tami helps him as soon as he has control. There is no need to prolong the birds pain and misery longer than necessary.

 You will notice that he is lying on his side, while holding the bird by the head. That keeps him out of the danger zone of the bird, and with his wings spread, it can't get up.

 Time for desert, the brains.

 Discussion time- did you see?, reliving the flight and his performance.

 A really nice Kestrel, and as I told Tami later, I can find no fault with the way that she has handled him. He is a gutsy tough bird.

 Tami let him eat all he wanted. Tomorrow is Fair day and the kids are anxious to see the sights at the fair, and perhaps get on a few rides while they are there.


Puddy weighed the same as yesterday in spite of all the mice that she scrounged off the lawn. I find it a bit interesting as she cannot see a large red tidbit that I throw on the lawn in front of her, but can pick out a piece of carrion in tall grass.

Even though she was the same weight, she called her baby food call for the first time today. Not a lot, but she has been totally silent until today. I was pleased to notice that she looked for the bunny tonight in the Rose bushes. He wasn't there tonight. I was hoping to see a Jack Rabbit close enough for me to shoot, to see if I could convince her that they were good to eat. Unfortunately every time I saw one, she was somewhere that she couldn't see it if I did shoot it.

We all got a big laugh when she flashed down into the lawn for what she thought was a mouse. Turned out it was a dog turd however. It didn't take her long to drop it.

She is slowly improving, now I just need to get her on rabbits.