Chester Cathedral falconry. The flight that went slightly wrong and a first look at Chester

Saturday 23rd

Couldn't have chosen a better day to walk the city wall around Chester. A chill in the air but brilliant sunshine and going early we avoided most of the crowds. Plenty to see and do and hardly any time to do it all so tomorrow we plan to go to the Cathedral and take the Hop on Hop off bus round the city. We noticed as we walked past the Cathedral a falcon flying display was to take place mid afternoon so after lunch (Wetherspoons of course) it was back to FS to grab my Canon camera and zoom lens and walk the 1/4 mile along the towpath to the Cathedral. Plenty of photos taken of the city but must show the Falcon ones first.
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Three birds were flown, A black Vulture, Eurasian Kestrel and a Gyr Falcon. The only bird behaving itself was the Vulture. The Kestrel went missing, having disappeared over the roof tops. It eventually returned after the handler whistled for at least 5 minutes waving a dead mouse about. But the one that caused most worry to the Falconer was the Gyr Falcon. Only a young bird, it decided that the local pigeons and crows were much more to it's liking. Many a heart stopping moment by the Falconer because if one of the crows or pigeons had been caught, hopes of the Falcon returning was slim. So first is the photos of some of the birds of prey. (more on the wildlife blog)

Black Vulture

Golden Eagle

I mentioned to the falconer if the Golden Eagle was ever flown. He raised his eyes in horror and made us all laugh when he mentioned that small dogs would be easy prey and taken high in the trees to devour. "Can you imagine the media hype"!!! he said. "How would we explain that"!!!

Eurasian Kestrel

Then the Gyr Falcon was flown

And the chase of a crow was on

 Eventually hollering loudly and then throwing a lure, the bird returned and was given his reward. A juicy Rat. More photos of this gruesome reward and the birds of prey on my wildlife blog

And Ian and I got the chance to hold it. At 3ibs in weight it was quite heavy!

And now for the city photos,

Main shopping street as seen from the wall

The Chester city wall

Top photo of the Cathedral.

Canal and staircase locks

River Dee

Roman Garden and Amphitheatre.

 Roodee Chester Race course. The site was once a harbour during the Roman settlement of the city during the Dark Ages but was closed as the river silted up making navigation impossible