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.
