Owner worries for Rio on the wing

A HARRIS hawk has escaped from a Shaw aviary damaged by storms.

Falconer Peter Bailey (77) is appealing for the return of the six-year-old male bird of prey.

Rio — named after the Manchester United centre half Rio Ferdinand — escaped on Tuesday and Mr Bailey said: “He hasn’t hunted for a few years. He has been in an aviary. I do not know if he will be able to fend for himself or not.

“The wind was quite strong in the morning when I discovered the aviary. I saw him fly out towards Rochdale, that’s the way the wind was blowing.

Mr Bailey, who worked as a mechanic with Ferranti, took up falconry as a hobby. In recent years he has concentrated on breeding and also has a female harris hawk and this is only the second bird he has lost.

He said that people who spot Rio, who was imported, should not try and pick him up and added: “He won’t bite, the feet are the problem. Throw an old coat over him or a box.”

If you see the bird contact Mr Bailey on 01706 846807 or 07711 463622.