Learning Squirrel Hawking
The Eastern Fox Squirrel has got to be one of the most crafty critters in the forest. They are one of the very few arboreal mammals in North America. The enjoy scouring the forest floor and canopy for nuts and other goodies to eat, only to cache them away for the winter. These animals are highly adapted to life in the trees and on the ground, and they are very good at avoiding predators. Except when the predator is a trained falconry hawk that can catch and kill squirrels at will. Just these past two weekends I was witness to my sponsor’s bird, ‘Trasher’ fly extremely well through the woods, find a squirrel, and swipe him off the side of the tree trunk as the squirrel hurried down the trunk to the safety of the ground. Ten minutes flat, the squirrel was in the bag. The rest of the morning hunt was just as exciting and rewarding for both falconer and hawk. Truly exciting to watch and participate with Trasher as she found great perches and followed well through the woods.
Sable is still working up to her first squirrel, but there were some signs this weekend that she has had this experience these crafty critters before. After watching Trasher fly, take higher perches, and move through the woods towards movement, I figured she was showing her experience at hunting as having done this for two years. Sable started a little slow at first, but she soon showed the potential for becoming an awesome squirrel hawk. After a few perches, she launched herself up to this high elm tree where a hornet’s nest had been exposed by the fallen leaves. She landed on top of the nest and started ripping out patches of paper and sticks. I was a worried that she might wake them up and end up with a bunch of angry hornets around her, but she quickly gave up for a tidbit on my glove. I was relieved that she wasn’t harmed by any hornets, even if it is late in the season.
A few trees later, Sable found another squirrel nest, landed on top of it, and started picking out leaves. This is VERY promising behavior that I cannot teach a young hawk in training. Some falconry Red-Tails can learn this behavior, only by successful hunting episodes and watching squirrels jump out of nests when disturbed. Sable already knows this, as is evidenced by the several small cuts and abrasions that were present on her talons and feet when I trapped her. No squirrel popped out of this nest today, so there was no tussell in the tops of the trees. However, on the next flight, Sable took off high and flew far up ahead of me and spotted something worth chasing. She connected with a squirrel, and although I didn’t get a chance to see it, she was clearly flustered when I found her. Sable was on the ground, looking up and suddenly, a squirrel bailed out of the tree and landed on the ground. A confused Sable darted after it, but couldn’t connect as the squirrel disappeared around a large tree, possibly into a nesting cavity. I took her up off the ground and found some blood on her feet, indicating that the squirrel had fought for it’s life and barely escaped. Sable came away with a nasty bite on her toe, but I’m sure it will heal up in a few days.
I’m looking forward to an exciting hunting season with Sable as we try for more squirrels next time!