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HARRIS HAWK PREYS ON THE WOODLANDS OF ROTHERHITHE

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3 October 2008

THE PUMPHOUSE Educational Museum had an unexpected visitor when it opened its doors to the public last weekend, writes Julia Shipperley...

A Harris Hawk was sighted through the treetops in the Lavender Pond Nature Reserve after it escaped from its owner.

The Harris Hawk is native to Central America and is only found in Britain after being bred for captivity. The bird of prey has a wing span of 1.1 metres and the male is lighter then the female, with both typically weighing around 1 kilogram.

The rare hawk, said to have what was described as an 'engagement ring' attached to one of its legs, was spotted several times around Russia Dock Woodland. The sighting of a Kingfisher in the same area earlier this year also attracted considerable attention from the press.

Walworth resident, Reg O'Donoghue, was repeatedly visited by the female bird, which was after the peanuts he put out for the squirrels. Mr O'Donoghue said: "The bird had spotted me putting out some peanuts for the squirrel. It swallowed three whole peanuts and then flew off with more in its beak. Within five minutes he was back for more. The next day he repeated the whole process again much to the annoyance of the squirrel who was swishing his tail."

The local museum and environmental study centre was again visited by the bird on Tuesday and on Thursday the owner arrived to reclaim the bird.

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