Early evening I was in the garden and by chance glanced up and noticed a distant bird. The shape and wing movement indicated a raptor. This is the best shot I managed (it's a hefty crop).
Peregrine falcon
Unusually, I am also fairly certain that this is one of the Sussex Heights peregrines. Sussex Heights is one of the tallest buildings in Brighton and has been home to peregrines for a number of years. It's impossible to read the number on the ring, but it could well be bird 34, an old male which was recently injured and then released back into the wild. The nesting area at Sussex Heights is currently occupied by a different breeding pair. There's more about Peregrine 34 in the March 20th entry on the Regency Society peregrine pages (you will need to scroll down).
Camera note: taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens
CedarFox
30 Jul 2009Interesting link :up: After nine years I wonder why he's never been given a name.
Words
30 Jul 2009I just watched the video on that link. Wow! That was some fight he got into.
SittingFox
31 Jul 2009Wonderful bird to see :up: I keep hearing rumours of them in Croydon, but suspect that most sightings are actually of kestrels. (Even seeing a squirrel in central Croydon is a major surprise, to be honest!)
Words
31 Jul 2009Adele, it was a good sighting and I think it may have flown over again tonight. I'm still waiting for the kites to visit.