It was a bright, crisp and clear winter morning as the group gathered at our meeting place in Hackleton, Northants. Once assembled and organised we headed out to our destination in separate vehicles. Birds in today's itinerary, one male Goshawk, one female Redtail and three Harris Hawks, two males and a young female.

After a moderate drive, the vehicles were parked up, and it was decided first slips would go to the Gos and Redtail respectively. Our trusty ferreter Dennis led us to the first warren, and a ferret was put to work.

Nathan Watson was flying Khan, his male Gos, and after waiting patiently, a rabbit bolted and he was slipped. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful and perched himself in a tree amongst a hedgerow, and despite some coaxing with a swing lure, he decided to go check out the surroundings, and Nathan left the group in pursuit.

Khan was soon rounded up, and Nathan decided to call it a day with him, as he feared the snow may have been distracting him as he has an aversion to the colour white! So, Khan was boxed up, and Carl's female Redtail was to have next slip.

After moving from one warren to another, the ferrets working well, only one slip was managed, and the bird gave chase, but was beaten by the rabbit, who beat a hasty retreat down the nearest hole!

The group then moved to another area, and the Redtail was boxed up and the Harris' took their turn.

At the first warren, the ferret was down for a time, and it took awhile to get her back up, but a rabbit was bolted, so we knew she had been working.

The group then moved to a fence line with several holes, and the ferrets were again put down, and this time, after some patience, a rabbit was bolted, and all hawks gave chase with Kate's female, Poppy hitting first, closely followed by Hamish, Mike Martin's young male. My male, Floyd, peeled off half into the chase, perhaps made a little nervous by the two other hawks hot on the tail of the rabbit.

A ferret was put back into the warren, and another rabbit popped up, all hawks were slipped, the closest being Floyd, who was unable to get a bead on the rabbit before it disappeared underground again.

The group then broke for coffee, and it was the turn of the Redtail again. All the Harris' were tied on, and as we were setting up to put the ferret down, a rabbit was spotted sitting at the top of the bank in the open! The Redtail was slipped, and she took it in fine style!

The Harris' then went for one last warren, but nothing was put up, and so the group decided to call it a day.

This site is normally very successful at producing rabbits when ferreted, but today just wasn't one of the better days in those terms. having said that, the ferrets worked hard, as did the birds, and two rabbits were bagged on the day.

From a social point of view, it was a resounding success as all our field meets prove to be regardless of the bag.

Tomorrow is another day, and we shall be going into our 4th club field meet in five days!

John Tyas

February 2009