Jonnyni Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 When we where out on a recci last Sat. we stopped at a couple of cut barley fields that ran down into a valley. We where watching a few pigeons flighting into the bottom of the field when we both spotted a Peregrine Falcon chasing a pigeon, it was actually over in seconds but it was a lovley sight to see nature at work. The Peregrine seamed to take some time killing the pigeon (3-5mins) and during this time a Magpie came over twice to investigate what was going on but eventually realised it was in the wrong place at a bad time. The perregrine took off with the pigeon after it had it killed. It really made my day to see this spectical with my own eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Jonny, You have been graced with such a sight, these birds are only seen once in a blue moon where I live but they are just the pinical of raptor evolution. I am only 32 at the moment but when I get to an age when I dont have to work, I will be getting one of these to retire with. I live right on the edge of the grouse moor so its just a perfect area to hunt these birds on. Glad to hear of your story and thats in some places these birds are hunting free. The PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 Yes a truly wonderful sight to behold guys, particularly if you are a keen birdman like myself. It makes you feel privileged to be alive when you witness something like that. I saw a Falcon take a pigeons head off at Symonds Yat a few years back the force they hit them with after a stoop is unbelievable. It is interesting to watch a Peregrine chasing a pigeon in level flight particularly a young bird as they are pretty well matched for speed and pigeons are suprisingly manoevreable. The poor pig. doesnt have a chance though in open air when the Peregrine locks on its radar from 200 feet above.... Thwack.... Game over... I onced witnessed a cople of Hobbies chasing swifts over Lower Moor fishery in Wiltshire that was a "dog fight" to behold. Once they had failed in their attempt to hunt down the swifts they turned there attention to hawking dragon flies low over the water and with some success you could hear the crack as they hit them and then they returned to the bough of a dead willow tree to pull of the wings. There were 100,s of wings lead around on the ground under this tree! The birds seem to come back each year to the same area. Only problem is you only see these things when you are alone and without a camera. FM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aled_cky Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 absolutely magnificient bird. i shot a feral before and left it in the field, i was about 200yards away when 2 peregrines came down and took it, was very nice to see ive seen a Peregrine hit a feral in the air, pigeon was clean out, its said that if the peregrine misses or it does not hit correctly both of the birds die. Aled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeon master Posted July 27, 2004 Report Share Posted July 27, 2004 FM, its great to hear that you have such a passion for the awesome birds of prey that fly our skies as I do. I have only seen one Hobby up in the northeast near to scaling dam and that was last year when trout fishing, It was my mate who spotted it ,and not being into birds he said " hey justin theres a kestrel sat on that bush there..look" I was amazed to see a Hobby for a few seconds before is was gone. Happy woody shooting and wildlife spotting. The PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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