elemetry
Telemetry is like a high-tech bell, and one of the very few modern improvements on traditional falconry. It helps to allow the falconer find a bird, or even locate a bird who has been swept away by winds or chased off by other raptors. Telemetry is made of two pieces - the transmitter and the receiver.
Transmitter
The transmitter is what goes on the bird so that you can locate the bird again. This consists of a small piece that transmits and contains batteries and then an antenna. Transmitters are typically mounted on the leg or tail, but are now being mounted on the back as well. As an apprentice, a transmitter is an excellent investment to help you fly your hawk with less fear of losing her. As soon as you receive your transmitter, make a note of its frequency and channel on a few models of receivers. Should you lose your bird, you can mail other local falconers with the information in case the pick up her signal, also helping you to regain your hawk.
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A transmitter mounted on the leg using a cable tie to secure it to the anklet. One potential disadvantage with the leg mount is that a long antenna can strike things or make contact with a power line when the bird might otherwise be safe. Note that although a cable tie is used, the cable tie is attached to the leather anklet. A cable tie should always be attached to leather and never be attached directly to the bird. |
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A bell mounted on the tail next to a bell. A tail mount requires a piece be attached to the shaft of the feather so that the transmitter may be attached and removed from the mounting. One consideration with a tail mount is the potential for breakage. If the bird is annoyed with the mounting she may pull at the feather, or if the mounting gets caught on anything, the feather may break or pull out completely. |
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A transmitter mounted around the neck of a Goshawk. The advantage of mounting here is that the transmitter antenna is not likely to strike electrical wires, wrap around branches, or entangle in anything. The disadvantage is that it must be mounted around the neck requiring a rubber band of the right size. The risk of a wrong size or material is that a bird could strangle herself or could be prevented from casting. Neck transmitters or bells should always be made of a thin material like a thin rubber band. This ensure that should it catch on anything it will break away. Mounting a bell or tranmitter around the neck with a thick rubber band or a hair band will not allow the bird to break it should she ever get caught. |
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A backpack mounted transmitter on a Goshawk. The bird is cast and a backpack is formed from Teflon ribbon. The ribbon passes over the "shoulders" and to the back where a plectrum (typically a guitar pick) is secured. A tail mounted transmitter is then attached to the plectrum. Since the new transmitters can be turned on and off in an instant with a magnet, the transmitter can stay in place on the bird's back without draining the battery. The backpack is typically removed for the moult. |
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Two transmitters mounted on Steve Layman's Goshawk - a back mounted transmitter and a tail mounted transmitter. Mounting multiple transmitters is a failsafe technique, especially for birds that a falconer really wants to ensure are found. |
Links
Transmitter mounting methods http://www.marshallradio.com/falconry/fnews/fnews_mountingmethods.asp?p=Mounting%20Methods
A Critique of Wildlife Radio-tracking and its Use in National Parks http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/wildlife/radiotrk/radiotrk.htm
Receiver
The receiver is what allows you to pick up the transmitter's signal. A good receiver is an expensive piece of equipment. You may want to work out a scenario where you share a receiver with another falconer and split the cost. Hopefully it will not be used much.