Gyr Falcon, Lynemouth, Northumberland (1 Viewer)

[vanellus]

I took a few photos from near Lynemouth flash at 11.00 am this morning of a very large Falcon. I am not techy enough to convert them to the right size for this forum. More information on Yellowbellyinexile.blogspot.co.uk

A Buzzard sized falcon with this patterning etc must be a Gyr, but I have never seen one in the flesh (feather).

My inclination is towards escaped bird from a Bird of Prey collection. A man I met suggested a tagged bird from a breeding site.

I would appreciate sage observations.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Certainly looks to have at the very least, Gyr influence.

Can't quite tell if it has jesses on?


A

 

[tconzemi]

It's wearing something big on the right foot and has a transmitter on the back, so most probably a falconer's bird: Gyr or Gyr hybrid

 

[Nutcracker]

This bird has been hanging about the coast of northeast England (Northumbs down to Teesside) for the last year or so; known to be an escape.

 

[vanellus]

It's wearing something big on the right foot and has a transmitter on the back, so most probably a falconer's bird: Gyr or Gyr hybrid

The right foot is holding a clod of mud or dung. Have another shot that shows two clean feet - huge feet with long claws.

 

[stevethehydra]

Can a pure Gyr be as "warm" in colouring as this one looks, especially in the ground photos? I'd be inclined to think this has some Saker in it (especially as I think there are more Gyr/Saker hybrids than pure Gyr captively bred in Britain).

 

[Hotspur]

Its a Gyr x Saker hybrid with more Saker than Gyr. I found it at St Mary's Island in early October. Some bad pics attached. It attacked Pink-footed Geese on the deck and then grabbed a Guillemot in flight which managed to wriggle off its talons. Note the colour ring and remains of the jesses.

 

[vanellus]

Thank you all for the information. It confirms what I thought about its status.