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Hi!
While walking along the river escarpment yesterday
morning I disturbed a raptor plucking it's prey, I didn't actually see the bird
but saw the plucked feathers fluff up when I scared it off.
Finding that they were feral dove feathers I began to look for the culprit, and
there not 3 mtrs above me was a Grey Goshawk, which I presumed to be
male because of it's small size, and began making a loud chittering noise at me
to be on my way. I thought I'd leave it in peace and went on my way,
incredulous that this small raptor could subdue prey that would have
to have been the same size and possibly stronger. Further along the
river I climbed up the escarpment and on reaching the top I felt that I had
to go back along the top and have another look. Creeping to the edge I
had a peek over, and there, in all its splendour, was the largest most
magnificent Peregrine Falcon I've ever seen. With its huge yellow
feet, classic dark shining head, wing and back plumage with the soft barred
lighter breast plumage and noble roman nose this was indeed the true
" Monarch of the Glen". She graciously gave me a couple of minutes presence
before giving me a last regal look before departing to other parts of its realm.
This will easily be one of my most memorable moments for the year and
probably for life.
Cheers Bob Rusk
ps I think I'm in love!
pss And in it's talons was the body of a
Grey Butcherbird and lying along-side was the discarded disguise of a Grey
Backed Shrike!!! Ahhh! the mystery was
solved.
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