Author: pioneerbushcraft

Anatomy of a Predator

June 11, 2014 / pioneerbushcraft

By Sean Fagan

The menacing talons of the sparrowhawk (Photo: Sean Fagan).

Getting to Know a Common but Elusive Bird of Prey

The sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus, is a relatively common but secretive bird of prey of temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Africa & Asia.

A while back I had the good fortune to get close to a sparrowhawk. I was struck by the obvious, fearsome weaponry of this sleek raptor - by its long, sickle-shaped talons and pointed, hooked bill.

I was also intrigued by other, less obvious anatomical features of the sparrowhawk which assist in making this bird species such a sublime predator.

As I examined the sparrowhawk - four features stood out...

Learn 4 predatory features of the enigmatic but fearsome sparrowhawk (some of which might surprise you).

Included below is a stunning, short video highlighting the amazing, hunting prowess of the the sparrowhawk...(this video is also included at the end of the article).

How Urban Botany Will Improve Your Bushcraft

May 12, 2014 / pioneerbushcraft

By Sean Fagan

A common and pretty urban plant - Red Valerian, Centranthus ruber (Photo: Sean Fagan).

Many urban environments, when examined closely, contain a rich array of both native and non-native, wild plants.

Many of the plants that live in towns and cities also dwell in rural and wild areas - so there is a viable transfer of plant identification skills.

Learn how to make the most of urban areas to sharpen and improve your plant ID skills.

What the Bow Drill Can Teach You About Bushcraft (and Life)

May 3, 2014 / pioneerbushcraft

By Sean Fagan

One of the great outdoor pleasures that never ceases to please, the campfire - can be obtained with the bow drill (Photo: Sean Fagan).

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The Bow Drill is a Lot More than a Fire-Making Tool...

The bow drill is a great wood-friction method of obtaining fire.

It's also a very technical, physically arduous skill-set that requires certain mental and physical ingredients to succeed (along with the right attitude).

In effect, the bow drill can teach us a lot about how to succeed when faced with a significant challenge..

Fire Skills: The Tinder Walk

April 15, 2014 / pioneerbushcraft

By Sean Fagan

The result of a 15 minute Tinder Walk - 7 different natural tinders. To find out what natural tinders are in above photo - click on article link below (Photo: Sean Fagan).

Knowing what natural tinders are to be found in a locality, and just as importantly, how to process them to make them more flammable, is a key bushcraft fire-skill.

One very effective way to improve your local knowledge of natural tinders is to take the tinder walk.

April 6, 2014 / pioneerbushcraft