Welcome To The Kingfisher Wildlife Diaries – John Bailey
June 22nd 2010
Peregrine Glory
Wow. Wow. Wow. Herefordshire 20th June. A glorious day in the west though in Norfolk it was dank and overcast. But what a teat lay in store for me.
In the mid-Wye valley for a full twenty minutes I watched one of the most breathtaking aerial displays I've ever witnessed. And the bird in question was a peregrine falcon.
The anguish and anger in its cries. The speed of its stoop. Its agility through the trees. The extraordinary beauty of its wingspan.
I actually happened to be on the riverbank with a group of anglers. But do you know what? The rods were put away for the entirety of the peregrine's display. No-one moved. No-one even talked much. We all just watched and wondered.
Today, I'm going to try and get a photograph for you. I'm packing my long lens just now but I don't for a moment guess the peregrine will repeat its performance. For you sake, I'm praying that it does.