Lex Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 Gandalf the Vulture WARNINGS were issued to aircraft over Scotland after GandalfGandalf a lady vulture escaped from a a bird of prey centre. Gandalf is capable of soaring at heights of more than 30,000 feet and could pose a threat to aircraft. The Rueppell's Griffon Vulture - which has a wingspan of 10ft - was flying in a display at World of Wings in Cumbernauld when it was caught in a gust of wind. The bird's handlers Watched helpless as their star attraction flew higher in to the sky. "Gandalf is an absolute monster bird with a 10-and-a-half foot wingspan. "She poses a genuine threat to airplanes." Said David Richie who runs the centre The centre specialises in promoting the plight of vultures, which are becoming increasingly endangered across the world. Lets hope Gandalf comes back home soon and stops frightening Jumbo Jets and the Like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Way to go Gandalf!!!! What a beautiful wingspan!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Wow thats a amazing wingspan and I hope it makes it home before it meets up with an airplane, Gandolf you get home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearllyn Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 Ahh that's so sad. I hope Gandalph gets home ok - apparantly she's been spotted in CORNWALL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoDiego Posted August 21, 2010 Share Posted August 21, 2010 First airspace is closed over the UK for volcanic ash, then for vultures, what's next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Posted August 21, 2010 Author Share Posted August 21, 2010 LOL i know what your saying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Posted August 21, 2010 Author Share Posted August 21, 2010 If any uk`ers see Gandalf heres a number to call!! i think the usa girls and guys are safe for now You may have heard on the local media that Gandalf went missing during one of our daily demonstrations this week. We are receiving many calls from the general public with sightings (thank you!!), however many of these sightings are actually of native British birds. Before you call us with a sighting please read the following before calling us on 07946 564517 or 01236 722999 Gandalf: IS MASSIVE! Has a 9 foot wingspan with finger-tip like feathers on the end of very broad wings. His beak is quite short, as is his tail. Grey Heron: Has a very large wingspan but the beak is long and pointed and the legs trail behind the tail while in flight. Common Buzzard: Has a 3 foot wingspan and is much much smaller than Gandalf. Gandalf is unlikely to be seen sitting on fence posts. A common buzzard stands approximately 1.25 feet tall whereas Gandalf stands nearly 2.5 feet tall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearllyn Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 First airspace is closed over the UK for volcanic ash, then for vultures, what's next? I hear there's a week in December when the sky's are closed for a jolly fellow in a red suit........ Seriously though, any news of Gandalph? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Posted August 27, 2010 Author Share Posted August 27, 2010 (edited) Yes i have news as follows.. The vulture was spotted hanging around near an old brickworks in nearby Falkirk. Joanna Timson, one of the falconers at World of Wings, said: "She's back with us safe and sound. We got her back on Saturday night but we wanted a vet to check her. "She had lost a pound (450 grammes) in weight. We don't think she ate much while she was away. She was so pleased to see us that she flew straight towards us when we got out of a van at the site where she was spotted." Timson said C was back performing in public displays, exhausted but on form having slept off her adventures most of Sunday. I`m so glad she is back safe and sound good news!! sure had some flight time http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ggbPX4InUjn1cQMTl9LLJqgjOUcQ (the link) Edited August 27, 2010 by Lex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 Glad to hear the wandering vulture is back home safe and sound!!! Hurray!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearllyn Posted August 27, 2010 Share Posted August 27, 2010 Yes i have news as follows.. The vulture was spotted hanging around near an old brickworks in nearby Falkirk. Joanna Timson, one of the falconers at World of Wings, said: "She's back with us safe and sound. We got her back on Saturday night but we wanted a vet to check her.) Oh that is good news! So glad she is safely home. "She had lost a pound (450 grammes) in weight. Gee Whizz - that's a whole Alfie!! Hope she puts it back on again ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 What a wonderful ending. It is so surprising that that actually got her back. They can soar hundreds of miles a day. Having Vultures and other massive birds aloft here in California is just a daily event with pilots always aware of them. During migration months, there are literally thousands of these birds soaring over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearllyn Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 During migration months, there are literally thousands of these birds soaring over. That must be quite something to see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Welcome back Gandalf, you had quite an adventure but you are back now safe and sound, what a sight that must have been to get out of the van and have him come right to you like that, this is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire Cat Posted September 2, 2010 Share Posted September 2, 2010 It seems whoever named 'Gandalf' are big Lord of the Rings fans. LOL! Hahaha! I'm glad she's back safe and sound though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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