canberrabirds

peregrine falcon

To: <>
Subject: peregrine falcon
From: "martin butterfield" <>
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 15:19:37 +1100
No, no!!  The mystery has got deeper. 
 
From the prints on most living room walls in Britain - at least those South of Hadrian's Wall - I thought the Monarch of the Glen was a large stag.  Are you now telling us it was really a peregrine in disguise?
-----Original Message-----
From: Sharon Rusk [
Sent: Saturday, 26 February 2005 12:28 PM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] peregrine falcon

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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