ARMED with his Sunday dinner and a gardening glove, Peter Evans from Maristowe managed to rescue a missing bird of prey when it appeared in his garden at the weekend. Peregrine falcon Psycho escaped from Mary Tavy on January 4 along with Arabian Saker falcon Khamsin, two of the birds owned by bird of prey expert David Buncle. Initially thinking it was a buzzard sitting on their lawn, after closer inspection Claire and Peter Evans' thoughts turned to the article in last week's Times about the missing falcons. 'It was obviously not a buzzard and it did not move when I walked up close although it was alert,' said Mr Evans. 'It was then that I contacted David Buncle but he was on his way back from the Midlands and would not be able to get to us before dark.' With the aim of getting the bird into a safe and secure place, Mr Evans, who had no experience of birds of prey, found a gardening glove and a piece of rabbit he was going to eat for dinner and held out his hand to attract the falcon. 'It came over straight away and sat on my hand. It was very hungry and close up I could see what a lovely bird it was. I took it to the garage and it sat on a bench until David arrived a few hours later.' Mr Evans said he was slightly apprehensive because he had never done anything like this before. 'I could not leave it there in case it was injured and I had good hefty gloves on and goggles,' he said. 'I figured if it was a wild bird it would have flown away but if it was tame one I would be alright.' David Buncle was full of praise for the Maristowe resident. 'It is a brave thing to do because it can be a bit daunting and a bit frightening for someone who is inexperienced,' he said. 'Psycho was hungry when I got him home but in good condition.' The falconer is concerned for the welfare of Khamsin, who he says is the more tame of the two birds. 'As time goes on there is the worry that he cannot get enough food,' he said. The 11-year-old likes being with people and could well be found on farms or town rooftops in the Tavistock area. Anyone who has seen him should contact Mr Buncle on 01822 810112.
