Thursday 22 December 2011

Up on the roof

I was walking down the street yesterday morning and heard all the gulls going crazy, then looked up to see the local falconer on the roof of the old tramshed, giving his Harris Hawk a bit of exercise.


I really don't know why he bothers (or is paid) to upset the gulls at this time of year, when they are at their quietest. I really don't think there is any use to him upsetting them in the nesting season either, when they are at their noisiest.

All that happens is they all take off at the sight of the hawk, and fly about making even more noise than they normally do before settling back down again after he has gone. This scaring by hawk would only work if he spent 24 hours a day on the roof for about 2 months, but I don't think that's going to happen.

13 comments:

  1. Does the squawk of the hawk, cull the gull?

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  2. and I've had nothing to drink...honest!

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  3. 'Tis the vessel with the pestle with the brew that is true.

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  4. The above is a Christmas quiz - name that film!

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  5. The Court Jester with Danny Kaye

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  6. You win the fabulous prize, Bris - a fully equipped 1950s kitchen with matching decor, cutlery and crockery.

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  7. Oh wait - you got it wrong after all. The line should have read: "The vessel with the pestle has the brew that is true". Better luck next year.

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  8. I'm with you, he shouldn't be stirring up the birds like that at a time when it's cold and they're settled in. I hope he gets a lot of 'presents' while he's out there.

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  9. Why does he have to be up on the roof - what is wrong with terra firma?

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  10. It's all to do with wings, or the lack of them, Weaver.

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  11. I demand my retro kitchen Tom!

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  12. Gulls arn't that afraid of hawks.. they seem more angered by them!

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  13. It's still very cool. Wish I had guys like that in my neighborhood when the gulls fly from the rubbish tip to the new Peace Park. (It's an ANZAC thing.)

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