If you want to report anything such as joe47's dead peregrines or bird sightings there will always be a local wildlife group or bird blog in your area.
It was quite funny Lesley. The road was busy, and I just saw this 'thing' coming down the middle of the road. Took me a moment to realise it was a goose - they look quite different head on!
I think herons look like pterodactyls when you see them head on or slightly side on. It's only when you see them sideways that they look like herons....and very odd!
Breaks my heart to hear of birds of prey being poisoned. It's a big issue up here because of the shooting industry, although the powers that be seem to be getting a bit more proactive about it.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We have red kites over the house every day and they are pretty light-weight. Not sure they would attack anything; they are carrion-eaters like buzzards; except in the breeding season.
Falcons inc Peregrines, Sparrow hawks, Merlin and Hobby give chase when hunting there food in the air and rarely pounce on prey in trees or on the ground.
Buzzards, Eagles, Kites and Harriers normally quarter an area of land to sneak up and pounce on the ground when hunting and rarely take prey in the air.
There are always exceptions to the rules though.
A peregrine or a Goshawk would have no problem harassing a skein of geese on migration, both would take a goose as prey in the air.
Geese only harass other birds on the nest when breeding to keep predators away from eggs and young and wouldn't waste there time harassing another species the rest of the year. Herons, Crows and birds of prey will harass each other readily all year round.
Young, immature Kites, Buzzards and Harriers will "Try It On" with flocks of Geese and Ducks low over marshes and fens but give in very quickly and the geese and ducks don't get too excited.
Skein's of geese usually fly high, higher than an Eagle, Kite, Buzzard or Harrier would normally interest them.
I think that your bird of Prey was almost certainly a Peregrine Falcon and an immature bird too trying it on not really knowing for sure just what its capable of yet.
A Peregrine will take, kill and carry a Mallard no problem, a goose is really testing the limits of a powerful falcon but a youngster has a lot to learn and when hungry will have a go at anything.
There are other larger European Falcons that will take, kill and carry geese on the wing but these are very rare in the uk.
A skein of geese wouldn't even flinch at the sight of an Eagle, Buzzard, Kite or Harrier, Crow(s) or Herron(s) on migration and they wouldn't bother them. A Falcon or a Goshawk would very definitely upset them as these birds do pose a serious threat.
Geese, Ducks and Eagles inc Sea Eagles live together largely harmoniously not normally bothering each other outside the breeding season.
Thank you Mark that's really interesting. You are obviously very knowledgable about birds. I wish I'd had binoculars with me. There have been a few sightings of peregrines in our area so it is a possibility
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Poisoned peregrines and other raptors should be reported to the police - it's a criminal offence and they have specialist units to deal with it.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
It was quite funny Lesley. The road was busy, and I just saw this 'thing' coming down the middle of the road. Took me a moment to realise it was a goose - they look quite different head on!
I think herons look like pterodactyls when you see them head on or slightly side on. It's only when you see them sideways that they look like herons....and very odd!
Breaks my heart to hear of birds of prey being poisoned. It's a big issue up here because of the shooting industry, although the powers that be seem to be getting a bit more proactive about it.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The only view I generally get of the heron is it's rear when we disturb it walking down to the burn
.
I've not heard as many cases of poisoning lately so perhaps things are improving. Hope so
Could it be a red kite? I have three who are in my area. They have been mobbed by crows and last week I saw one being mobbed by five parakeets.
Falcons inc Peregrines, Sparrow hawks, Merlin and Hobby give chase when hunting there food in the air and rarely pounce on prey in trees or on the ground.
Buzzards, Eagles, Kites and Harriers normally quarter an area of land to sneak up and pounce on the ground when hunting and rarely take prey in the air.
There are always exceptions to the rules though.
A peregrine or a Goshawk would have no problem harassing a skein of geese on migration, both would take a goose as prey in the air.
Geese only harass other birds on the nest when breeding to keep predators away from eggs and young and wouldn't waste there time harassing another species the rest of the year. Herons, Crows and birds of prey will harass each other readily all year round.
Young, immature Kites, Buzzards and Harriers will "Try It On" with flocks of Geese and Ducks low over marshes and fens but give in very quickly and the geese and ducks don't get too excited.
Skein's of geese usually fly high, higher than an Eagle, Kite, Buzzard or Harrier would normally interest them.
I think that your bird of Prey was almost certainly a Peregrine Falcon and an immature bird too trying it on not really knowing for sure just what its capable of yet.
A Peregrine will take, kill and carry a Mallard no problem, a goose is really testing the limits of a powerful falcon but a youngster has a lot to learn and when hungry will have a go at anything.
There are other larger European Falcons that will take, kill and carry geese on the wing but these are very rare in the uk.
A skein of geese wouldn't even flinch at the sight of an Eagle, Buzzard, Kite or Harrier, Crow(s) or Herron(s) on migration and they wouldn't bother them. A Falcon or a Goshawk would very definitely upset them as these birds do pose a serious threat.
Geese, Ducks and Eagles inc Sea Eagles live together largely harmoniously not normally bothering each other outside the breeding season.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/photobombing-peregrine-falcon-poses-picture-6062116
Thank you Mark that's really interesting. You are obviously very knowledgable about birds
. I wish I'd had binoculars with me. There have been a few sightings of peregrines in our area so it is a possibility
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.