Surprise Garden Visitor

• Guest 641

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 2,335
  9 January 2012     11:31146328
  #1       report
  I looked out of the kitchen window yesterday afternoon and was amazed to see a Peregrine Falcon taking a drink at the bird bath, the cat looked gobsmacked and watched from a safe distance. By the time I got the camera for a photo opportunity it had taken flight, a beautiful bird
• Brian Dixon

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 23 Sep 2008
  • Posts: 23,940
  9 January 2012     11:34146329
  #2       report
  you lucky chap you.
• Guest 710

  • Registered: 28 Feb 2011
  • Posts: 6,950
  9 January 2012     12:56146345
  #3       report
  I was sat in my kitchen some years ago gazing through the Juliet Balcony at the garden when I saw what I thought to be a Harris Tweed Sports Jacket thrown down amongst blooms, but no 'twas a falcon from the nearby church's Quasimodian heights. In search of and finding a rat. The poor bird was lumbering about seeking some point of elevation in order to take off, good old bird bath.
  [the church has since been flood-lit and the birds are no more]
  
  But they sure are most impressive Barry.
  Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  9 January 2012     13:00146346
  #4       report
  saw a brace of pheasants yesterday in the field next to the plough folkestone side.
  
  was on a bus so no chance of getting my gun (sorry i meant camera) out and take a shot.
  
  an hour and a half later when coming back they were still there.
• Guest 716

  • Registered: 9 Jun 2011
  • Posts: 4,010
  9 January 2012     13:23146354
  #5       report
  Often see pheasants walking through garden....only permitted to pick up camera...most of my family are vegetarian.
  
  Also Herons but would love to see a peregrine falcon.
• Guest 651

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 5,673
  9 January 2012     14:28146358
  #6       report
  Not the best of photos but was lucky to see 3 or 4 at the same time a couple of years back on the cliffs
  
  [IMAGE]/df-imported/forum-images/225-1326115718.jpeg[/IMAGE]
  
  [IMAGE]/df-imported/forum-images/225-1326115729.jpeg[/IMAGE]
  Been nice knowing you :)
• Guest 657

  • Registered: 13 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 3,037
  9 January 2012     15:38146367
  #7       report
  Gosh Barry W-S that must have been a sight in the garden
  
  Beautiful birds there Paul.
  www.facebook.com/jeaneheadstonehunter
• Guest 716

  • Registered: 9 Jun 2011
  • Posts: 4,010
  9 January 2012     17:27146395
  #8       report
  Superb flight shot.
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  9 January 2012     17:50146403
  #9       report
  indeed it looks like in that pic he has just decided what he is going to have for lunch.
• Guest 641

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 2,335
  9 January 2012     18:11146411
  #10       report
  I had an interesting email in from Pat at Castle-Lea via Howard this morning, saying that Falcons were introduced at the castle a couple of years ago to control the seagulls.
  
  They have regular of visits by them and last year there was a spectacular "dog-fight" with about four falcons in aerial combat with seagulls taking place, shades of the Battle of Britain.
  
  The falcons are breeding well at the castle and now it seems they are extending their territory.
  
  Pat also mentions they have a Jay making regular visits as well, I wonder if it is the same one that has been visiting our garden over the past year?
  
  Many thanks for your information Pat
• Guest 651

  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 5,673
  9 January 2012     18:51146424
  #11       report
  This is where my photos were taken - I don't think they were introduced but from a thriving population along the cliffs.
  
  The sounds is unmistakable at the Castle, but I think quite often it is the seagulls hounding the falcons, and above they had a pigeon for lunch
  Been nice knowing you :)
• Guest 657

  • Registered: 13 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 3,037
  12 January 2012     15:47146894
  #12       report
  Speaking of large birds, I spotted this: http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/main.cfm?objectid=7403&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
  www.facebook.com/jeaneheadstonehunter
• Jan Higgins

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 5 Jul 2010
  • Posts: 13,894
  12 January 2012     15:54146897
  #13       report
  While on the subject of birds on Breakfast this morning they were saying a rare visiting Spanish Sparrow might have been mating with the local sparrows, naughty boy.
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  I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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• Guest 640

  • Registered: 21 Apr 2007
  • Posts: 7,819
  12 January 2012     16:58146920
  #14       report
  Fascinating stuff above.
  
  This is a picture I took and showed it on here a year or two back..as a study of the bird itself its no good at all, but its a keepsake as the bird landed right on my window sill and gave me a heck of a shock to see something so big. I quietly got hold of the camera making no sudden moves but it was the camera I use to take the pix in the channel and it was preset on long distance, before i could change the dials my exciting visitor was gone. He looked exhausted and appeared to be taking a rest. Ian said at the time that it looked like a Falcon as i remember.
  
  

  

  
  
  Lovely pictures there again above from our ace man Paul Scotchie Wells.
  email: dover7@msn.com