Tuesday 17 April 2012

Raptor-ous

I've just come inside after watching a brilliant, near overhead pass by the International Space Station. I may not be quite sad enough to wave, but it is tempting.

Luckily, the local bird of prey population is making sure that it is not the only beautiful thing to see in the sky. I've already written, and tweeted, about the Peregrine Falcon(s) at Newark Church, the birds of prey I see overhead on Millgate, the falcons above my garden or off Clay Lane; now they are distracting me at work.

The smaller pretend canteen is normally not a place to see anything remotely attractive, unless backsides poking out of safety trousers is your bag. But these windy, wet days, out over the showground I have been treated to sights!

Normally up earlier in the day is the Kestrel, hovering above the water tanks, barely needing to flap it's sickle wings into the strong breezes we've been having; like a bird having a wind tunnel test, occasionally steadying itself with its wedge shaped tail. When it got fed up of being effortlessly motionless into a breeze, it raises it's wing and cuts the air to burning shreds with its winds as it swoops downwind.

At other times, you can see it in the classical hovering position, spying the hedgerows and verges for prey.

Later in the day, the big Buzzard, ragged winds untidily splotched with white underneath, normally makes his appearance, lifting himself slowly into the air before splaying his feathery fingers, and easing into a spiralling soar. If it's his day, he won't immediately get set upon buy a gang of crows looking to ruin his day.

I wish the crows would leave him alone. And also that anyone who would shoot or poison him or his friends would leave him alone too!

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