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BIRDS_NN2 OF_IO PREY_NN1

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by_II <name key="Jim Johnson">

AUGUST_NPM1 '96_MC

CONTENTS_NN2

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INTRODUCTION_NN1

I_PPIS1 have_VH0 chosen_VVN to_TO do_VDI my_APPGE project_NN1 on_II birds_NN2 of_IO prey_NN1 because_CS I_PPIS1 like_VV0 the_AT way_NN1 birds_NN2 of_IO prey_NN1 hunt_VV0 their_APPGE food_NN1 and_CC we_PPIS2 went_VVD on_II a_AT1 school_NN1 visit_NN1 to_II Leighton_NP1 Hall_NN1 where_CS there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 birds_NN2 of_IO prey_NN1 exhibition_NN1 ,_, where_CS a_AT1 lady_NN1 looked_VVN after_II quite_RG a_AT1 few_DA2 species_NN of_IO rare_JJ birds_NN2 of_IO prey_NN1 ._.

I_PPIS1 am_VBM going_VVGK to_TO talk_VVI about_II the_AT KESTREL_NN1 and_CC the_AT COMMON_JJ BUZZARD_NN1 and_CC some_DD types_NN2 of_IO OWLS_NN2 ._.

I_PPIS1 hope_VV0 you_PPY enjoy_VV0 this_DD1 project_NN1 and_CC find_VV0 out_RP some_DD interesting_JJ information_NN1 ._.

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KESTRELS_NN2

The_AT kestrel_NN1 (_( falco_NN1 tinnunculus_NN1 )_) is_VBZ a_AT1 hunter_NN1 like_II all_DB birds_NN2 of_IO prey_NN1 -_- they_PPHS2 have_VH0 sharp_JJ talons_NN2 as_CSA can_VM be_VBI seen_VVN on_II the_AT diagram_NN1 -_- these_DD2 are_VBR used_VVN for_IF catching_VVG their_APPGE victims_NN2 -_- such_II21 as_II22 small_JJ mammals_NN2 and_CC other_JJ birds_NN2 ._. They_PPHS2 often_RR eat_VV0 them_PPHO2 whole_JJ or_CC tear_VV0 them_PPHO2 up_RP with_IW their_APPGE curved_JJ and_CC pointed_JJ beaks_NN2 ._. Kestrels_NN2 are_VBR often_RR around_II motorway_NN1 areas_NN2 ,_, around_II villages_NN2 and_CC towns_NN2 ._.

MALE_JJ Kestrels_NN2 have_VH0 blue_JJ <sic> a_AT1 blue_JJ </sic> head_NN1 and_CC nape_NN1 ,_, reddish_JJ back_NN1 and_CC wings_NN2 with_IW dark_JJ spots_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 blue_JJ tail_NN1 ._.

FEMALE_JJ Kestrels_NN2 have_VH0 barred_VVN reddish_JJ brown_JJ upper_JJ side_NN1 and_CC it_PPH1 has_VHZ black_JJ claws_NN2 ,_, the_AT male_NN1 has_VHZ lighter_JJR claws_NN2 ._.

The_AT kestrel_NN1 hovers_VVZ at_II approximately_RR 20-30_MCMC feet_NN2 with_IW its_APPGE tail_NN1 fanned_VVD out_RP looking_VVG for_IF its_APPGE prey_NN1 it_PPH1 often_RR glides_VVZ along_RP before_II hovering_VVG ._.

There_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 <reg> kestrel_NN1 's_GE </reg> nest_NN1 in_II St_NP1 <reg> Peter_NP1 's_GE </reg> Cathedral_NN1 on_II St_NP1 <reg> Peter_NP1 's_GE </reg> Road_NNL1 ,_, my_APPGE dad_NN1 gave_VVD me_PPIO1 this_DD1 information_NN1 ,_, there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 kestrel_NN1 nesting_VVG there_RL every_AT1 year_NNT1 ._.

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SOME_DD FACTS_NN2 ABOUT_II THE_AT KESTREL_NN1

The_AT length_NN1 of_IO the_AT bird_NN1 is_VBZ approximately_RR 13.5_MC inches_NNU2 (_( 34.5_MC )_) cms_NNU2 ._. The_AT wings_NN2 have_VH0 different_JJ types_NN2 of_IO feathers_NN2 ,_, some_DD are_VBR to_TO help_VVI to_TO reduce_VVI turbulence_NN1 ,_, some_DD are_VBR light_JJ and_CC stiff_JJ ,_, some_DD are_VBR packed_VVN closely_RR together_RL to_TO give_VVI a_AT1 smooth_JJ edge_NN1 ._. they_PPHS2 are_VBR all_DB light_JJ so_CS they_PPHS2 can_VM be_VBI flapped_VVN easily_RR ._. The_AT wings_NN2 are_VBR broad_JJ and_CC flat_JJ so_CS they_PPHS2 can_VM push_VVI the_AT air_NN1 downwards_RL and_CC give_VV0 lift_NN1 for_IF flight_NN1 ._.

To_TO hover_VVI as_II the_AT kestrel_NN1 does_VDZ in_II mid_JJ air_NN1 takes_VVZ great_JJ control_NN1 ,_, and_CC delicate_JJ balance_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 often_RR has_VHZ to_TO adjust_VVI its_APPGE <sic> wingbeat_NN1 </sic> to_TO cope_VVI with_IW even_RR the_AT slightest_JJT breeze_NN1 ._.

The_AT beak_NN1 on_II the_AT bird_NN1 is_VBZ strong_JJ and_CC hooked_VVN as_CSA can_VM be_VBI seen_VVN on_II the_AT previous_JJ diagram_NN1 ._.

The_AT kestrel_NN1 I_PPIS1 saw_VVD at_II Leighton_NP1 Hall_NN1 had_VHD only_RR been_VBN there_RL for_IF a_AT1 few_DA2 weeks_NNT2 ,_, its_APPGE name_NN1 was_VBDZ midge_NN1 and_CC the_AT lady_NN1 had_VHD a_AT1 leather_NN1 pouch_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 dead_JJ baby_NN1 chicken_NN1 attached_VVN to_II it_PPH1 ,_, so_RR midge_NN1 flew_VVD to_II it_PPH1 ,_, caught_VVD it_PPH1 and_CC then_RT ate_VVD it_PPH1 ._. She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ iust_NN1 starting_VVG to_TO train_VVI it_PPH1 to_TO do_VDI this_DD1 ,_, this_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT starting_NN1 point_NN1 of_IO <reg> midge_NN1 's_GE </reg> training_NN1 at_II Leighton_NP1 Hall_NN1 ._.

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THE_AT COMMON_JJ BUZZARD_NN1

The_AT common_JJ Buzzard_NN1 (_( buteo_NN1 buteo_NN1 )_) is_VBZ spotted_VVN in_II wooded_JJ areas_NN2 ,_, in_II winter_NNT1 it_PPH1 can_VM also_RR be_VBI spotted_VVN on_II moors_NN2 and_CC in_II extensive_JJ open_JJ areas_NN2 ._. In_II all_DB seasons_NNT2 it_PPH1 can_VM be_VBI seen_VVN on_II rocky_JJ coasts_NN2 and_CC hillsides_NN2 ._. Buzzards_NN2 vary_VV0 greatly_RR in_II colour_NN1 from_II almost_RR all_DB white_JJ to_II black_JJ ._.

There_EX are_VBR various_JJ types_NN2 of_IO buzzard_NN1 including_II Rough_JJ Legged_JJ ,_, Long_RR Legged_JJ and_CC the_AT Honey_NN1 Buzzard_NN1 ._.

THE_AT ROUGH_JJ LEGGED_JJ BUZZARD_NN1 (_( Buteo_NP1 lagopus_NN1 )_)

This_DD1 has_VHZ black_JJ carpal_JJ patches_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 has_VHZ a_AT1 black_JJ shield_NN1 on_II its_APPGE belly_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 white_JJ tail_NN1 ._. It_PPH1 is_VBZ similar_JJ to_II the_AT common_JJ buzzard_NN1 but_CCB in_II flight_NN1 looks_VVZ heavier_JJR ,_, it_PPH1 soars_VVZ and_CC often_RR hovers_VVZ ._.

LONG_RR LEGGED_JJ BUZZARD_NN1 (_( Buteo_NP1 rufinus_NN1 )_)

This_DD1 is_VBZ a_AT1 fairly_RR uncommon_JJ buzzard_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 inhabits_VVZ dry_JJ open_JJ plains_NN2 ._. This_DD1 buzzard_NN1 has_VHZ two_MC colour_NN1 phases_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 more_RGR common_JJ light_JJ phase_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 light_JJ coloured_JJ head_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 chocolate_NN1 coloured_JJ phase_NN1 which_DDQ from_II a_AT1 distance_NN1 can_VM look_VVI almost_RR black_JJ ._. It_PPH1 is_VBZ quite_RG difficult_JJ to_TO tell_VVI this_DD1 bird_NN1 from_II the_AT common_JJ buzzard_NN1 but_CCB it_PPH1 does_VDZ have_VHI longer_JJR wings_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 longer_JJR tail_NN1

HONEY_NN1 BUZZARD_NN1 (_( Pernis_NP1 apivorous_JJ )_)

This_DD1 bird_NN1 tends_VVZ to_TO nest_VVI in_II open_JJ forests_NN2 ._. Its_APPGE plumage_NN1 varies_VVZ greatly_RR from_II a_AT1 chestnut_NN1 brown_JJ colour_NN1 to_II a_AT1 creamy_JJ white_JJ ,_, a_AT1 brown_JJ colour_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 grey_JJ head_NN1 is_VBZ most_RGT common_JJ in_II the_AT Honey_NN1 Buzzard_NN1 ._.

This_DD1 bird_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX as_RG sluggish_JJ in_II flight_NN1 as_II the_AT other_JJ buzzards_NN2 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 does_VDZ not_XX hover_VVI ._.

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Some_DD facts_NN2 about_II the_AT Buzzard_NN1

most_DAT birds_NN2 have_VH0 broad_JJ rounded_JJ wings_NN2 ._.

They_PPHS2 have_VH0 rounded_VVN tails_NN2 which_DDQ you_PPY can_VM see_VVI when_RRQ the_AT bird_NN1 is_VBZ soaring_VVG ._. When_CS the_AT Buzzard_NN1 is_VBZ hunting_VVG for_IF food_NN1 it_PPH1 is_VBZ most_RGT likely_JJ to_TO hover_VVI ._. It_PPH1 hunts_VVZ over_RP low_JJ ground_NN1 and_CC drops_VVZ on_II its_APPGE prey_NN1 ._.

It_PPH1 is_VBZ approximately_RR 20-22_MCMC inches_NNU2 (_( 51-56cms_NN2 )_) in_II length_NN1 ._.

The_AT buzzard_NN1 <reg> disappeared_VVD </reg> in_II the_AT last_MD century_NNT1 from_II England_NP1 and_CC has_VHZ not_XX as_RR21 yet_RR22 made_VVN a_AT1 full_JJ comeback_NN1 ._.

The_AT unlawful_JJ killing_NN1 of_IO the_AT buzzard_NN1 (_( as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 other_JJ birds_NN2 of_IO prey_NN1 )_) is_VBZ still_RR rife_JJ and_CC was_VBDZ partly_RR to_TO blame_VVI for_IF the_AT disappearance_NN1 of_IO the_AT bird_NN1 ._. The_AT R.S.P.B._NP1 is_VBZ totally_RR opposed_VVN to_II bird_NN1 of_IO prey_NN1 control_NN1 in_II any_DD shape_NN1 or_CC form_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 say_VV0 it_PPH1 is_VBZ totally_RR unnecessary_JJ ._.

Sadly_RR the_AT buzzard_NN1 is_VBZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT commonest_JJT victims_NN2 of_IO illegal_JJ <reg> poisoning_NN1 </reg> ._.

A_AT1 common_JJ animal_NN1 which_DDQ the_AT buzzard_NN1 hunts_NN2 is_VBZ the_AT rabbit_NN1 ._.

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OWLS_NN2

In_II the_AT final_JJ part_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE project_NN1 I_PPIS1 am_VBM going_VVGK to_TO tell_VVI you_PPY about_II the_AT Barn_NN1 Owl_NN1 and_CC the_AT Short_JJ Eared_JJ Owl_NN1 ._. During_II the_AT summer_NNT1 holidays_NN2 we_PPIS2 had_VHD a_AT1 family_NN1 day_NNT1 out_RP to_II Docker_NP1 Park_NN1 Farm_NN1 where_CS there_EX were_VBDR lots_PN of_IO farm_NN1 animals_NN2 ._. They_PPHS2 have_VH0 just_RR started_VVN a_AT1 collection_NN1 of_IO birds_NN2 ._.

As_CSA you_PPY can_VM see_VVI from_II the_AT photograph_NN1 below_II which_DDQ I_PPIS1 took_VVD they_PPHS2 had_VHD a_AT1 pair_NN of_IO barn_NN1 owls_NN2 ._.

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THE_AT SHORT_JJ EARED_JJ OWL_NN1

The_AT short_JJ eared_JJ owl_NN1 (_( asio_NN1 flammeus_NN )_) is_VBZ fairly_RR common_JJ in_II open_JJ country_NN1 ,_, over_II plains_NN2 ,_, moors_NN2 and_CC marshes_NN2 ._. Their_APPGE ears_NN2 are_VBR very_RG short_JJ and_CC are_VBR very_RG hard_JJ to_TO see_VVI ._. When_RRQ or_CC if_CS you_PPY see_VV0 one_PN1 notice_VVI the_AT amount_NN1 of_IO black_JJ on_II the_AT facial_JJ disc_NN1 ._. It_PPH1 has_VHZ yellow_JJ eyes_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 black_JJ patch_NN1 near_II its_APPGE bend_NN1 of_IO the_AT underwing_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 large_JJ buffish_NN1 area_NN1 on_II the_AT upper_JJ wing_NN1 surface_NN1 ._. Active_JJ even_RR before_II dark_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 quarters_VVZ low_JJ over_II fields_NN2 in_II irregular_JJ flight_NN1 ._. Wings_NN2 are_VBR tilted_VVN upwards_RL like_II a_AT1 <reg> harrier_NN1 's_GE </reg> ._. Occasionally_RR in_II winter_NNT1 they_PPHS2 are_VBR found_VVN in_II small_JJ groups_NN2 ._. Usually_RR their_APPGE silent_JJ territory_NN1 call_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 fast_JJ series_NN of_IO "_" po_NN1 "_" sounds_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 also_RR clap_VV0 their_APPGE wings_NN2 in_II the_AT air_NN1 ._.

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THE_AT BARN_NN1 OWL_NN1

The_AT barn_NN1 owl_NN1 (_( tyto_NN1 alba_FW )_) is_VBZ common_JJ but_CCB local.You_NNU usually_RR find_VV0 <note desc="word/s missing?"> in_RP or_CC around_II buildings_NN2 or_CC ruins_NN2 ._. It_PPH1 is_VBZ the_AT only_JJ owl_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 heart-shaped_JJ facial_JJ pattern_NN1 ._. The_AT West_ND1 and_CC European_JJ subspecies_NN is_VBZ dark_JJ breasted_JJ but_CCB still_RR lighter_JJR than_CSN other_JJ owls_NN2 except_II21 for_II22 the_AT snowy_JJ owl_NN1 ._. usually_RR <reg> nocturnal_JJ </reg> ,_, it_PPH1 hunts_VVZ rats_NN2 and_CC mice_NN2 in_II farmyards_NN2 ,_, <reg> marshes_NN2 </reg> and_CC fields_NN2 ._. It_PPH1 has_VHZ a_AT1 peculiar_JJ <reg> habit_NN1 </reg> of_IO lowering_VVG its_APPGE head_NN1 and_CC moving_VVG it_PPH1 back_RP and_CC forth_RR ._. Does_VDZ not_XX hoot_VVI ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 has_VHZ a_AT1 soft_JJ wheezy_JJ cry_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 shriek_NN1 ._. At_II the_AT nest_NN1 it_PPH1 gives_VVZ a_AT1 toneless_JJ hiss_NN1 ,_, some_DD people_NN say_VV0 it_PPH1 can_VM be_VBI compared_VVN to_II a_AT1 human_NN1 snoring_VVG like_II my_APPGE dad_NN1 !_!

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SOME_DD FACTS_NN2 ABOUT_II BARN_NN1 Owls_NN2

This_DD1 owl_NN1 is_VBZ known_VVN as_II the_AT <reg> farmer_NN1 's_GE </reg> friend_NN1 because_CS it_PPH1 catches_VVZ rats_NN2 and_CC mice_NN2 that_CST live_VV0 in_II barns_NN2 and_CC eat_VV0 grain_NN1 ._.

This_DD1 owl_NN1 is_VBZ well_RR known_VVN throughout_II the_AT world_NN1 ._.

The_AT barn_NN1 owl_NN1 always_RR forms_VVZ pairs_NN2 ,_, probably_RR for_IF life_NN1 and_CC uses_VVZ the_AT same_DA nest_NN1 ._.

The_AT rats_NN2 and_CC mice_NN2 that_CST it_PPH1 catches_VVZ form_NN1 about_RG 70%_NNU of_IO its_APPGE diet_NN1 ._.

Its_APPGE most_RGT common_JJ nesting_NN1 place_NN1 is_VBZ in_II barn_NN1 lofts_NN2 and_CC churches_NN2 ._.

Its_APPGE feathers_NN2 are_VBR a_AT1 sort_NN1 of_IO creamy_JJ white_JJ colour_NN1 ._.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY_NN1

The_AT Hamlyn_NP1 guide_NN1 to_II birds_NN2 of_IO Britain_NP1 and_CC Europe_NP1

Pocket_NN1 Bird_NN1 Guide_NN1 (_( R.S.P.B_NP1 )_)

Birds_NP1 magazine_NN1 (_( R.S.P.B._NP1 )_) monthly_JJ magazine_NN1 ._.

The_AT <reg> Children_NN2 's_VBZ </reg> Illustrated_VVN Encyclopedia_NP1 (_( Dorling_NP1 Kindersley_NP1 )_)

Big_JJ Book_NN1 of_IO Nature_NN1 (_( Maurice_NP1 Burton_NP1 )_)

The_AT Hamlyn_NP1 <reg> children_NN2 's_GE </reg> encyclopedia_NN1 ._.

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