Carrion falcon!

[Dean]

Testing out hw 10 today at the yard, took out a woodie on the apex,head shot! He flipped down the roof somewhat before becoming dormant! Within approx 30secs a female peregrine alighted,waddled cautiously before nicking it,three kecks and off!:rolleyes:

[Eznugud]

Flash….you are seeing peregrines in and around built up areas alot more these days....and they are getting cheeky....

bit off topic {ish}, but the peregrine x pigeon thing reminded me of something that happened a while ago...

Quite a few years ago I was flying a jack merlin at larks.
I got a slip at a lark, the merlin and lark were maybe 40 feet up {i`m getting excited thinking this could be my first ringing flight} when a pigeon flew across us left to right maybe 30 feet up and 200 feet away.
Then “whack” a male wild peregrine comes from nowhere and nails it, seconds later my merlins left the lark and is giving chase to the wild peregrine……

The merlin was going loopy, kecking like bloody hell at the peregrine trying to get the pigeon……The peregrine was holding the pigeon in one foot at times and trying to grab the merlin, the merlin was actually trying to grab the pigeon but the peregrine was jinking and also trying to foot the merlin…..it was crazy
this little dog fight lasted a good 2 minuets….longest 2 minutes of my life…….obviously the merlin got a good talking to once I got him back.. ..

[Alf]

Had a few wild merlins mob my peregrines so know exactly what you mean? Great to see even though it disturbed your flight.
Did your Jack go on to ring up after this ? Alf


Flash….
Quite a few years ago I was flying a jack merlin at larks.
I got a slip at a lark, the merlin and lark were maybe 40 feet up {i`m getting excited thinking this could be my first ringing flight} when a pigeon flew across us left to right maybe 30 feet up and 200 feet away.
Then “whack” a male wild peregrine comes from nowhere and nails it, seconds later my merlins left the lark and is giving chase to the wild peregrine……

The merlin was going loopy, kecking like bloody hell at the peregrine trying to get the pigeon……The peregrine was holding the pigeon in one foot at times and trying to grab the merlin, the merlin was actually trying to grab the pigeon but the peregrine was jinking and also trying to foot the merlin…..it was crazy
this little dog fight lasted a good 2 minuets….longest 2 minutes of my life…….obviously the merlin got a good talking to once I got him back.. ..

[Redeye]

Had a wild peregrine mob decoys when out shooting a couple of years back.

[Eznugud]

Jesus….

Posting that’s just reminded me of slipping the same jack merlin at I think the same peregrine a few weeks after that….
I was on the top of a small quarry {40foot deep}……I disturbed the peregrine feeding on a pigeon and instinctively let go of the merlin when it bated…..i did`nt actually see the peregrine until I had slipped the merlin….it all happens it a split second…
I **** myself, the merlin was off kecking after the peregrine with half a pigeon slung under it……Thank god the peregrine just turned on the afterburner and left the merlin…….

Goshawk4....i would love to say yes, but i have never had what i would consider a "classic" ringing flight with a merlin......mainly due to a serious lack of larks and loads of pipits......thats my excuse anyway.