When are falconers most likely to encounter a brancher?

A brancher is a young bird of prey that has fledged but is still dependent on its parents for food and care. Falconers are most likely to encounter branchers during the late spring and early summer months, particularly in June when many raptor species are actively nesting and their young are learning to fly and hunt.

In June, many species, such as hawks and falcons, have chicks that have fledged in the preceding weeks. During this time, the birds are still in their juvenile plumage and can often be seen near their nesting sites as they practice flying and develop their skills. This stage of development is crucial for falconry enthusiasts, as the interactions with branchers provide opportunities for observation and understanding of the birds' behaviors, which is beneficial for training and wildlife management.

The other months presented are outside the typical fledging period for many raptor species. For example, March is generally too early in the nesting cycle, with eggs still being laid or chicks in the nest. September falls outside of the fledging period for most species as well, as young birds have usually fully developed and are either independent or migrating south. December is the winter season, when young birds are further removed from their brancher stage. Thus, June