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.
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20 comments:

  1. SBC27 September 2011 at 13:06

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

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  2. Pavlov's Cat27 September 2011 at 13:34

    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.

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  3. Kevin B27 September 2011 at 15:13

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

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  4. SBC27 September 2011 at 15:53

    "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

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  5. John Pickworth27 September 2011 at 15:59

    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.

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  6. Pavlov's Cat27 September 2011 at 16:00

    @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

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  7. Pete27 September 2011 at 16:35

    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.

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  8. Woman on a Raft27 September 2011 at 16:35

    You lookin' at my bird?

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  9. BarkingMad27 September 2011 at 16:46

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

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  10. Captain Haddock27 September 2011 at 17:43

    @ Pavlov's Cat ..

    Good drills ..

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

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  11. Anonymous27 September 2011 at 18:02

    See what you get with BUPA?

    So what would we get on the NHS? Vultures?

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  12. Captain Haddock27 September 2011 at 18:34

    @ Anon ..

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

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

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  13. RAB27 September 2011 at 19:22

    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!

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  14. Twenty_Rothmans27 September 2011 at 19:25

    @ Pavlov's Cat

    And you swallowed it?

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  15. blueknight27 September 2011 at 19:56

    The report shows a barn owl now....

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  16. Lerxst27 September 2011 at 22:06

    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.

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  17. John Pickworth28 September 2011 at 01:50

    Tis a right carrion, no doubt about it.

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  18. Weekend Yachtsman28 September 2011 at 12:18

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

    A Harris Hawk I think.

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  19. JuliaM29 September 2011 at 05:35

    "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!

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  20. Angry Exile29 September 2011 at 09:00

    "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.

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