honeythorn
New member
Hi, I just joined in a hurry as I have something to share.
I've just come in from a walk over the fields. I live in Pedmore near Stourbridge.
I took my usual route, and turned into the trees for a breather by a tree I usually stop at. I'd been standing there about 5 mins when I heard a rustle/flap and a bird of prey landed on a branch right over my head! Anyway it went from branch to branch and kept getting closer, and I figured it must be a lost pet as a wild bird surely wouldn't come that close. So I put my arm up and it flew to me and landed on my arm after a minute or two, and then tried to eat my ring! It also allowed me to gently stroke it's back a little. It flew off onto a branch after a few minutes and came to me a few more times when I put my arm up, but when it realised I hadn't got any food it stopped coming and flew up onto a pylon nearby.
The bird had no ring on it's leg, wasn't wearing any of those leather leg things ( Jesse's? or Jessies or something yes? ) and was missing a claw ( healed ) I've been on google images and I'm 98% certain it was a Female Kestrel. She seemed in good health, flew perfectly well and was very alert. Her tameness suggests to me that she was someone's pet that has either escaped |<| or been let loose to fend for herself :C
I didn't try to actually catch her, as I have no idea how to go about such a thing with a bird of prey, and didn't want to hurt her or stress her. I have a cockatiel and a budgie who I can handle bodily, but I know a bird of prey, even a tame one wouldn't tolerate such a thing lightly.
I feel horrible for leaving her there, but I have no experience with catching birds of prey and I'm not sure what to do about it.
I was wondering if there is anyone on this forum who lives in the Pedmore/Wollescote area or nearby who has lost a bird? Or who thinks they can perhaps try to catch her?
Any help appreciated, she's a beautiful bird and it wrings my heart to think she might not survive too long. If she has never had to feed herself or hunt of her own accord, she might die :-C
I've just come in from a walk over the fields. I live in Pedmore near Stourbridge.
I took my usual route, and turned into the trees for a breather by a tree I usually stop at. I'd been standing there about 5 mins when I heard a rustle/flap and a bird of prey landed on a branch right over my head! Anyway it went from branch to branch and kept getting closer, and I figured it must be a lost pet as a wild bird surely wouldn't come that close. So I put my arm up and it flew to me and landed on my arm after a minute or two, and then tried to eat my ring! It also allowed me to gently stroke it's back a little. It flew off onto a branch after a few minutes and came to me a few more times when I put my arm up, but when it realised I hadn't got any food it stopped coming and flew up onto a pylon nearby.
The bird had no ring on it's leg, wasn't wearing any of those leather leg things ( Jesse's? or Jessies or something yes? ) and was missing a claw ( healed ) I've been on google images and I'm 98% certain it was a Female Kestrel. She seemed in good health, flew perfectly well and was very alert. Her tameness suggests to me that she was someone's pet that has either escaped |<| or been let loose to fend for herself :C
I didn't try to actually catch her, as I have no idea how to go about such a thing with a bird of prey, and didn't want to hurt her or stress her. I have a cockatiel and a budgie who I can handle bodily, but I know a bird of prey, even a tame one wouldn't tolerate such a thing lightly.
I feel horrible for leaving her there, but I have no experience with catching birds of prey and I'm not sure what to do about it.
I was wondering if there is anyone on this forum who lives in the Pedmore/Wollescote area or nearby who has lost a bird? Or who thinks they can perhaps try to catch her?
Any help appreciated, she's a beautiful bird and it wrings my heart to think she might not survive too long. If she has never had to feed herself or hunt of her own accord, she might die :-C