One More Time. (1 Viewer)

1164 : One More Time (30/9/23)

stonefactionbirding2014.blogspot.com

New blog-post. A spot of late September 'vis-migging' from Riverside Nature Park early on a Saturday morning.

 

[Frank van Drogen]

Awesome flight photos!

Just curious, what's the deal with the escaped falcon?

 

[Stonefaction]

It was being used to breed falcons to sell for falconry in the middle east by a local guy but flew off some time in 2021 and kind of disappeared, though there were some probable sightings a bit up the coast, before it again disappeared off the radar. In February 2022, I saw it upsetting the local pigeons from my window, then saw it a little later that same morning 2 miles to the east. I posted about it on Twitter and on my blog, and the guy who lost it got in touch to let me know a bit about the background (and to confirm that it was a Saker) and I've seen it semi-regularly since then. Although the guy is almost certain he won't get the bird back - unless it ends up somewhere it can be captured, he asked me to keep him up to date with any sightings (which I've been doing) and the bird itself doesn't seem to be struggling at all. It's an impressive bird to see flying around the local area (though I now have to double check any Peregrine sightings to make sure), though I've missed some great photo opportunities when it has flown past and my camera wasn't in my hand, or I only spotted it when it had passed. Blog-post about the bird here - 0941 : The One That Got Away (19/2/22)

 

[Frank van Drogen]

Thanks for the update!

Loved the photos in that blog -- very beautiful Falcon for sure!

 

[Stonefaction]

Thanks, Frank. Here's a video of the bird as well which appears to show him trying to bite off what is left of the leather strap on his leg (still in place on latest photo though).