h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Huh?

Logicus - you are right, the movie 'Kes' was based on Barry Hines’ book A Kestrel for a Knave.

kestrel - sparrowhawk/goshawk depending where you come from, kestrel is a collective term for a small falcon.

Sorry, Lem. We do tend to chat among ourselves until someone says something controversial. You're welcome to join us, but after almost 18,000 messages it's kinda hard to be original. Still, things seem to crop up with amazing frequency.

toxx

seem to crop:: up with amazing frequency:we are currently talking about birds.

Vix. In the UK 'kestrel' refers to a distinct species: falco alaudarius. It is notable for it's habit of hovering at one point high above grassland looking down for prey.

The related sparrowhawk is known for being able to fly through woodland where smaller birds tend to take refuge. The Goshawk is a larger and more powerful creature. It has been used by falconers to hunt food for the kitchen.

toxx

Hi, tracky. No pun actually intended but .......... whatever.

toxx

Hi Tox could not resist, spent hours watching hawks kestrals,grew up near hunting ground ,gosport 50 like all boys played and searched for repitle in abandond "muster points /barracks" that teemed with wildlife.
sparrow hawks love Moterways being responsible for there food now comeback,also lucky as far as cranes herons regulerly fly past my kitchen window early morning late evening on route to nesting area.

Fish keepers love em

Hello, toxxin. I'l stay and see if anything comes up.

Tracky. I live about a mile from my sister's residence in a place called Heron Cross. It's in the middle of an urban area now but herons can still be seen nearby - kingfishers too. It's a very patchy urban area with lots of apparently abandoned land, plus the river, the canal etc.

I notice that there is lots of free food in the parks. Some of those geese look tasty, and squirrel is apparently quite similar to rabbit. Could at least try pigeon pie without many complaints from the public.

toxx

Youv'e missed out "hedgehog" and "rat" being the two most commen

Tracky. I believe hedgehog is best coated in clay before cooking. Then the spikes and skin come away with the baked clay. Don't think I fancy rat as a repast. On the whole, I think more vegetarian creatures make the best eating.

toxx

Tracky. Some of those Canada Geese look as though they would feed a family for a week! Just put a bit of food down for it, and then whip off its head with a machete. Swiiiiiiiiish!

toxx

I supose they would but whats the chance they where not dineing in the lakes rivers,around chernoble on way in.

Well, Tracky. I guess that might ensure that they are relatively bug free. If they look healthy, they're not going to do us much harm are they?

toxx

Have you ever seen 'Doctor Who - The Two Doctors?' It's enough to turn you vegetarian, as did your machete remark!
(Della - who has just had baked beans for Sunday tea...)

So its back to cooking, or food anyway, is it?

Re: kestrels. They are a protected species in Spain. There are some living in the tall minaret next to the cathedral here. Once I had a student who was a biologist and his special study was kestrels, so I learned quite a bit about them during the conversation part of our classes (most of which forgotten by now, of course).

hi Lemon Blossom I see you found your way over here. Nice to see you. Don't worry, somebody will probably mention something god-related sooner or later.

az

Kestrels hover by flying into the wind at windspeed. Nothing like having a bird of prey frequenting your garden to keep the vermin down.

Noggin

"Don't believe everything Heathen Sceptic says - she is having you on, pulling your leg, joshing you..."

Jordan. One of my moments. If you were ever a fan of "Call My Bluff" you'll understand the urge which rises irresistibly if someone asks what a word means.... Hence the

Noggin. I suppose that means that during a calm spell kestrels have to starve!

toxx