Raptor Cantab

colincurry · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 07:08 PM

Last week, we were looking round a couple of the colleges in Cambridge when I spotted this raptor above the gatehouse of, I think, Trinity College; right in the middle of the city

It seemed to hover for quite a while. Then, I looked at it through binoculars

and I could see why it was able to hover so effortlessly and for so long. I am not sure whether it is meant to be a kestrel or a peregrine or just a hawk. I assume it is there to keep the pigeons away from the tower. There were pigeons present, but they were about 20 yards away on top of a nearby roof.

There were also swallows nesting on the stone 'architrave' on the actual gate into Trinity about 10 feet above the ground and quite unbothered by the grockles. They were moving much too fast to snap.

I presume that it is a WABer trait that makes me look out for wild life even when on a cultural outing - we are all naturally mentally well rounded.

Colin

jdurbo · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 07:44 PM

That is so bizarre, does it move along the line with the wind?
jen xxx

agrumpycow · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 07:46 PM

I assume the wire in the second photo isn't attached to the bird?! It does look odd, never seen anything like it!

jdurbo · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 07:50 PM

It looks like its on the wire to me. Or are my eyes playing up? i am tired after all

jen xxx

wellies101 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2007, 09:03 PM

it looks like its on the wire to me too? If it is I'm guessing its a deterrant to stop pigeons making a mess of the college roof?

Dogrose · #6 (**permalink**) 08-08-2007, 09:05 AM

I made a cardboard kestrel once to scare the birds off a new lawn I'd sown, it was so funny, there were some sparrows who really wanted the seed, but every time they flew down to get it they were scared off by the sillouette hanging from my washing line, they got so angry, it seemed like they knew it was fake but couldn't help being scared away by it, they were sitting on the fence chattering angrily and stomping up and down

jdurbo · #7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2007, 09:28 AM

Im looking now my eyes are not so tired and it still looks attached to the wire!

jen xxx

almostnormal · #8 (**permalink**) 08-08-2007, 10:48 AM

i think its a fake, it certainly looks that way. fake hawks usually prove quite effective at detering the pigeons, so it might be that cambridge has been having a few problems? i've had a nosy at the uni's website but there's no mention of it!

Chiffchaff · #9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2007, 10:57 AM

defintely a fake and hanging from the wire. Looks like it was made to resemble a Kestrel judging by the colours visible. Another thought that the wire could be a potential death trap for birds like Swallows, if when feeding they would fly into it.