Public asked to help find missing falcon
10:13am Monday 22nd December 2008 in
A PLEA for help has gone out to eagle-eyed members of the public to help in the search for a missing falcon.
Sasha the falcon, who is around seven months old, vanished from Spingfield landfill site in Broad Lane, Beaconsfield, on Friday.
Birds of prey, such as falcons, are used on the landfill site to ward off other birds. This is so seagulls or crows, for example, cannot land in the tip, root around in it and then fly off, transferring unhygienic waste or disease from the landfill.
Gemma McClughen, a bird handler at the tip, said: “They're the best way to keep birds off the tip.”
She explained Sasha had only been let out for a full flight for the first time on Wednesday.
When she was let out again on Friday she found what was thought to be a crow's carcass. Sasha then left the tip with the carcass and hasn't returned since.
Gemma said Sasha no longer felt the need to return to her handler as she had found her own food: “It's all based around food. You train them to come back to you because you offer them food - I'm 'mum' basically. But now she's found her own source of food she doesn't need to.”
The falcon is described as white with brown flecks, has a bell attached to her left leg, and a transmitter on her right leg. Gemma said it is possible Sasha may have travelled a long distance from Beaconsfield by now, and also she may have chewed through the transmitter.
Anyone who has spotted Sasha, or who has information on her whereabouts, should call 07921060820.
Comments(11)
Low_Wycombe
says...
10:27am Mon 22 Dec 08
I have a funny feeling it is Mr Kite, who has been doing quite well for himself across High Wycombe...
Slacker
says...
10:28am Mon 22 Dec 08
Bogart
says...
11:51am Mon 22 Dec 08
Steve Totteridge Hill
says...
12:41pm Mon 22 Dec 08
Bogart wrote:"So long and thanks for all the day old chicks" Sasha XXX
So much for the transmitter.
or should that be Sasha over and out?
Apt code words lose-more!!!
Regular Poster
says...
3:39pm Mon 22 Dec 08
ivor
says...
4:19pm Mon 22 Dec 08
Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “YOUR SAY” link at the top of the page then click on “BLOGS”.
faisal mahmood
says...
4:44pm Mon 22 Dec 08
acjy1985
says...
5:13pm Mon 22 Dec 08
Observer of
says...
5:24pm Mon 22 Dec 08
Observer of
says...
5:25pm Mon 22 Dec 08
phoenix1304
says...
5:58pm Mon 22 Dec 08
Regular Poster wrote:What she picked up was a crow carcass which is why it was light enough for her to pick up and carry up. When hunted, she would be flown at birds she cannot carry, such as gulls and crows that are in one piece.
Not a good training method then is it? Don't quite understand the logic here though. The Falcon is bound to catch a few birds and so this was always going to happen - wasn't it?
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