Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Urban Peregrines

A group of us from work went out yesterday lunchtime to look for the peregrines. Managed to spot both of them soaring high overhead but apart. The male started chasing a pigeon, which did a good job of dodging it. After about 30 secs the female arrived and joined in . Eventually they managed to grab it between them and started parachuting slowly down with both of them holding on. They must have got mixed up over who was supposed to take it because it managed to break free. The both went after it again and after 2 near misses the pigeon took a chance and dropped down towards the trees. The male stooped after it but it managed to make it into the trees half a second ahead and the peregrines gave up. The male then had a go at a crow/rook that was passing before drifting out of sight.

I was walking home over the hill tonight when I saw the male high up soaring. I lost it when it went into the sun and was still trying to pick it up again when it appeared over the tree just below me, flew overhead about 20 metres up with it's wings completely folded in and dissappeared into the next valley. About a minute later it came flying slowly back giving the best views I've had of one before.

Top entertainment!

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