I went across the Downs yesterday morning, on my way to do something, so I stopped off and tiptoed to the place where the peregrines like to sit on a rock, basking in the sun and thinking falcony thoughts. And there indeed was a peregrine, though it launched itself off and away across the gorge when I tried to get a better picture.
Later, I stopped off again on my way home, and this peregrine was swooping around the place and riding the updrafts...
..and then it was joined by another and then another, until there were five of them. There was some passing of a dead creature between them, and a lot of play. And several swoops from a great height into the gorge, followed by zooms up to an almost equally great height. It was like watching Spitfires showing off, but without the sound of the Merlins, as it were.
I was passing through Engerland last week and near Henley (v. posh) I lay in a field watching loads of red kites, birdy variety, soaring about and playing sky games with each other. rest of world was watching ball kicking!
ReplyDeleteGuess these were more D-day gliders then your fighters but what joy.
Caroline xxx
Peregrines always remind me of Victorian men with mutton chop sideburns, dressed in morning coats.
ReplyDeleteMelissa XX
I've never yet seen more than two red kites in proximity, Caroline, but continue to live in hope...
ReplyDeleteD-Day gliders and Victorian gentlemen! -I shall not see these birds in quite the same light again!
Some peregrine pics from a local business cam. peregrines
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds!
Melissa XX
Can I suggest you take a trip to Aston Rowant nature reserve? Barely a hop from the Stokenchurch junction on the M40. Mrs. J and I were there on Sunday and stood for ages spellbound in a field on the escarpment as three red kites divebombed each other right in front of us. Not a place to be a rabbit!
ReplyDelete