BS: Watch the birdie

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 07:32 PM

Cheers, Tam - he's a pretty boy. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 05:15 PM

....elderly lady 'feeding the birds' in some city centre. He thought "Ahh, that's nice" then noticed her looking shiftily around, before swooping down, snatching up a pigeon, wringing it's neck and shoving it in her bag....

Cripes! gonna have amalgamated nightmare of the sweet little old dear in Mary Poppins morphing into Cold Mountain rooster wrining scene Renée Zellweger face (underscore - Julie Andrews singing Feed the birds, tuppence a bag and hillbillies singing Ruby with Eyes that Sparkle)

shudder

Ruth - nice looking Hawk BTW... have fun learning to work him.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 11:44 AM

LOL!!!!

Blimey, I hope the pigeons I'm buying are of the "wood" rather than the "Trafalgar Square" variety...

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 11:38 AM

I like pigeon, though I havn't had it that often. What is nice about game, is that although it's a little pricier, because it tends to actually taste of something, you don't need a lot.

I heard a story from a friend once, about him seeing an elderly lady 'feeding the birds' in some city centre. He thought "Ahh, that's nice" then noticed her looking shiftily around, before swooping down, snatching up a pigeon, wringing it's neck and shoving it in her bag... A half a dozen were dispatched in the same way. I wonder what she had for supper?
I have to admire that kind of style... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 11:06 AM

Yummmm...


Re hunting: I feel the same, Rosie. I like eating wild game (or managed game, like pheasant and partridge) which has had some quality of life. I'm a great fan of pigeon, too - if you haven't had it, do try some! Most rural butchers will stock it in the game season, so now's a good time. It's cheap as well.

Pigeon is a dark meat, so it's actually quite versatile. Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall recommends it with pease porridge, as pigeons tend to eat a lot of peas which seems to make them go well together...I've just made some pease porridge and I've remembered there are a couple of pigeons in my freezer...

If you manage to get hold of a couple of pigeons, take off the breasts. Fry for a couple of minutes on each side in some olive oil with a bit of crushed garlic (you want it quite rare inside, as it's got little fat and can go tough if overcooked). Take the meat out of the pan and de-glaze with some balsamic vinegar, and reduce till you just have a couple of spoonsful of sticky sauce. Slice the breasts horizontally into half-inch strips and serve on a bed of nice salad (I like rocket for bitterness next to the balsamic). Drizzle the reduction over the top. Bish bosh. Easiest starter in the world, and really delicious.


Anyway...I really like the idea of catching my own food, so going rabbiting or haring with the hawks will be amazing.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 08:35 AM

I believe that if you bite their heads of first, Mr. Red, it at least stops them wiggling. Then you are free to dine at your lesiure.. But don't take my word for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Mr Red
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 08:29 AM

and as for the taste.............

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 08:15 AM

I believe that they are 'live young birds' rather than chicks exactly, reared in cages and then fired out of some contraption, like a live version of clay pigeon shooting. A friend who is an activist for animal welfare told me about it. It just sounded to me like the dumbest excuse for a sport I'd ever heard. The 'game' is apparantly inedible, because the birds are too immature. Meaning you'd end up with a handful of feathers and a mouthful of lead shot. I can't vouch for any of this, as it's secondhand. But it does sound to me like precisely the kind of thing the current breed of bourgiousie would enjoy.

Falconry however is IMO in a completely different league. And a totally different thing. As is hunting for rabbits with dogs or just a shotgun. A friend of mine who was vegetarian for twenty years, now goes out and hunts his own game with a rifle. Pheasant or rabbit mainly, thouhg I don't think he's too fussy. And I have heard of people eating squirrels and pigeons. I have complete respect for that.

Sure, all carnivores in captivity must be fed. A falcon being fed chicks is no different to me buying tinned food for my cats. Though tinned cat food doesn't really have the emotive fluffy tweet-tweet appeal of baby chicks ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 07:36 AM

Where I come from in NJ we get turkey vultures. HUGE things, and actually a little bit scary. It's fascinating to watch them wheeling above the pines.

Are these live chicks?! In falconry you feed the hawks day-old (dead) chicks. This is not as cruel as it sounds, at least if you are a carnivore, as they are a by-product of the chicken industry. Chicks are sexed shortly after birth, and as it's only the hens which are needed (though I do know someone who, unusually, farms and sells free-range cockerel), the male chicks are gassed. They would just be chucked away, but people who keep birds of prey buy them as food for the birds. A European Eagle Owl can get through 6 - 8 chicks in a day.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Sleepy Rosie
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 06:23 AM

There used to be a fashion for live beetles and even spiders on broaches. They would be glued to tiny silver chains, and I believe encrusted with tiny gems...

I identify with your fascination Ruth, they are amazing creatures. I'd happily hunt with a bird of prey if I could. Certainly beats the pants off of having chicks fired out of a clay pidgeon thingummy, which I believe is one of the latest country passtimes. Somehting of a tangent, but possibly one of the most stunningly powerful and atmospheric looking creatures I ever saw was not one of the more glamorous birds of prey, but a vulture. Very impressive. Probably not one for a cocktail party accessory though.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 05 Jan 09 - 05:07 AM

Sounds like a music hall entertainer, Al.

Well, I'm not really a "bling bling" kinda girl, but I do love unusual accessories...they make the outfit, dontcha know. You don't really need to worry that anyone else will turn up at a local 'do with a hawk on their wrist...

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 10:54 PM

Harris Hawk.... that sounds a bit like a stage name.

If you dropped the aitches, it would sound more street cred....'Arris 'Awk - reportin' for predat'ry duties, guv!

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 10:50 PM

yes indeed, more impressive than a rolex on your wrist, that will be!

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 07:54 PM

it's total luck, Sorch. Having a friend in the village who does it has given me the opportunity. By helping out and learning the ropes, I'll be able to decide whether I definitely want the commitment of my own bird. Even if I decide not, I can always carry on helping Pete. He has two European Eagle Owls as well as the two falcons, but they're a bit big and scary for me to even contemplate at this stage.

As it's something I've always fancied trying, it's really cool to have the chance to do it in a sustained way.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Sorcha
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 07:40 PM

Gods, I'd love to get into falconry....no chance tho. I'm envious,Ruth!

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: EBarnacle
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 07:40 PM

He's definitely a beaut.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 07:37 PM

None of the above. He was bred in captivity, and is kept and flown by a local falconer. He is worked, with ferrets, for hunting rabbits mostly, though his mate, Bugsy, can take hares - the girls are bigger than the boys and can take larger prey.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: gnu
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 07:13 PM

Is he at a vets? or a refuge? Was he injured?

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 06:56 PM

A bute? More like a parabute, I'd say.

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 06:05 PM

Just in a small paddock in the village - I'm learning how to handle him. Soon I'll be able to fly him to my fist and with a lure...and then I can hunt with him. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Watch the birdie
From: skipy
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 05:39 PM

What a bute! Where are you working with him?
Skipy

Subject: BS: Watch the birdie
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 05:34 PM

I thought you might like to meet my new friend, Georgie. I'm learning to work with him at the moment. I think he's a beauty! He's a Harris Hawk.

Unfortunately the battery died on my camera before I could get any photos of him on my fist - I'll do some this week. I won't do any of him being fed, as those of a delicate disposition might find it a bit full on... :)

Georgie

Georgie again