Tuesday 27 September 2011

No Vultures, Please!

After all, it wouldn't do to encourage thoughts of their own mortality:
Residents of a local retirement home received a visit from some unusual guests.

Five birds of prey swooped into Harts House in Woodford Green, as part of Bupa Wildlife Week.

Accompanied by Randal Carey from Countrywide Falconry, the birds were allowed to fly free in the home, settling on armchairs and zimmer frames to allow the pensioners a close up view.
See what you get with BUPA?

Of course, it wouldn't be a 'heartwarming animal story' without some misidentification, now would it?

Errr, no. Not even close.

20 comments:

SBC said...

Fly! Fly my Minion. Do my bidding! *insane cackle* They said I was senile.

Pavlov's Cat said...

I would have thought the name Countrywide Falconry
would have given it away.

and in fact that looks like "Chillie" the Lanner Falcon rather than 'Olga' the Ferruginous Hawk.

Kevin B said...

As long as Eddie the Eagle doesn't come swooping down. Mind you, those lime green specs would probably fit in quite well.

SBC said...

"and in fact that looks like "Chillie" the Lanner Falcon rather than 'Olga' the Ferruginous Hawk."

..it should worry you that you know the difference. Maybe leave off the Radio 4 a bit...?

:P

John Pickworth said...

That's an old buzzard is it? The one in the blue cardigan?

Next week: Jungle Cats Ltd visit Woodford Green Primary School with their collection of panthers.

Pavlov's Cat said...

@SBC

I just did what any self respecting Sub editor would do, went to companys web site (found via Google) and they have pictures of the birds along with thier names & breeds as you can see if you click the link in my original comment.

I have never ever listened to Radio 4

Pete said...

I think if bird of prey appeared around any nursing home I was in I would become a little nervous that they knew something I didn't.

Woman on a Raft said...

You lookin' at my bird?

BarkingMad said...

Thank God they didn't take the tortoise's in.

Captain Haddock said...

@ Pavlov's Cat ..

Good drills ..

Without looking it up .. I'd have plumped for either Lanner or Saker Falcon ..

Anonymous said...

See what you get with BUPA?

So what would we get on the NHS? Vultures?

Captain Haddock said...

@ Anon ..

"So what would we get on the NHS? Vultures? "

No .. probably more like flea- infested Magpies .. ;)

RAB said...

And the little old lady says...

The Tea tastes... Eagle!!!

And if I see that fuckin Johnny Vegas ad one more time I will personally kick his larded arse off the mountain!

Twenty_Rothmans said...

@ Pavlov's Cat

And you swallowed it?

blueknight said...

The report shows a barn owl now....

Lerxst said...

You couldn't bring birds into an NHS ward. The patients would be ripping the wings off them in a flash; it would be the first sight of something edible in weeks.

John Pickworth said...

Tis a right carrion, no doubt about it.

Weekend Yachtsman said...

Cue jokes about "the eagle's the one on the left", etc etc.

A Harris Hawk I think.

JuliaM said...

"I would have thought the name Countrywide Falconry
would have given it away."


Do research? They never covered that in journalism school!

"Next week: Jungle Cats Ltd visit Woodford Green Primary School with their collection of panthers."

Heh! Reminds me of the 'Family Guy' tv advert: 'Next week, on 'Fast Animals, Slow Children...'

"You lookin' at my bird?"

:D

"You couldn't bring birds into an NHS ward. The patients would be ripping the wings off them in a flash; it would be the first sight of something edible in weeks."

LOL!

Angry Exile said...

"Of course, it wouldn't be a 'heartwarming animal story' without some misidentification, now would it?"

The way things seem to be going in the lame stream media it won't be long before you'll be expected to be happy they at least recognised it as a bird.