Falconry Displays

As I was talking about in my last post Summer is gone and Autumn is and definitely feels here – with high winds and the leaves on the trees changing colour. Of course for wildlife – in particular migrating birds it is time to move on to warmer climes.

Everyday now when I am flying our own birds of prey we see swallows flying with purpose often in a south west direction rather than due south which I always find rather strange. I am assuming they are on migration as they are passing through – following ancient lines from in-built forces. Of course ‘man’ marvels at the feat of migration – sad that they should go but always so happy to see them again next spring.

It is not just swallows that pass through. I saw an Osprey passing overhead last week- at  typical raptor height and with a typical raptor wing beat and proceeding unlike the swallows due south. Identification is a process of elimination but the idea that it is some type of bird of prey is the first deduction in the process of ID. It  was wonderful to see and nowadays could have come from a number of places as their breeding locations in the UK are increasing.

Of course I continue to see our local birds of prey notably buzzards and sparrowhawks but sadly fewer kestrels – although I did see one yesterday. I also saw a wild sparrowhawk try and catch a green woodpecker – which was a very noisy affair with the woodpecker adding a running commentary to the whole proceedings and clearly put the sparrowhawk off – but it was an amazing moment of wildlife action and it reminds me of a wild Cornish Peregrine Falcon that flew over my father’s house near Newbridge – we did not see it initially but heard the whoosh! as it passed overhead at some incredible velocity chasing a pigeon which despite this amazing show of speed and three stoops the pigeon made good its escape – the peregrine then appeared to climb and join a fellow peregrine that had been watching the whole proceedings from above! amazing and true!

J A Baker who wrote the book ‘The Peregrine’ which is an amazing read states that peregrines do have the habit of chasing  prey without the intention of catching it only turning up the boost when their hunger dictates that they are ready to dine!

The title of this post is ‘Migration’ with Peregrines we call it peregrination as the word peregrine means ‘wandering falcon’ – how apt!

The picture is a scene from summer of me stooping ‘Bella’ one of our lanner falcons to the lure at Whitemead Forest Park.