Gull attack falcon caught in city

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A falcon which went missing after an attack by a flock of urban seagulls has been recaptured in Glasgow.

The bird was mobbed by about 50 gulls on Saturday as it took part in a bird of prey demonstration in the city.

The male Gyr falcon, named Goose, belongs to the Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre at Kirtlebridge, near Lockerbie.

Owner Gary Swainson was contacted by numerous bird lovers after the falcon went missing. It was eventually found on the roof of the Victoria Infirmary.

Goose was enticed down from the high spot in the city's south side by a piece of chicken on a string by a local falconer.

I thought, 'That is a strange looking pigeon, is that man being attacked?' Gemma StewartLocal woman

He had earlier been spotted eating a crow, surprising Mr Swainson who said he had never been trained to hunt.

Falconer Graeme Neilson described how he tempted the falcon to the edge of the roof and grabbed it by the foot.

Mr Neilson said of the bird's reaction: "He wasn't too impressed, he screamed and shouted. But he calmed down quite quickly."

He added the bird seemed "none the worse for spending three nights around Glasgow's south side".

Locals however were surprised to see Mr Neilson walking through a busy part of Glasgow with a large bird of prey sitting on his arm.

Gemma Stewart, 30, who lives in the area, said: "I thought, 'That is a strange looking pigeon, is that man being attacked?'

"It was kind of fluttering on his wrist. But when I got closer I realised it was a falcon."

Mr Swainson thanked members of the public for helping trace Goose.

He said: "The people of Glasgow have been absolutely phenomenal in calling us when they saw the falcon and it's down to their vigilance that we got the bird back."