As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Sunday 4 May 2014

Bird proves loyalty to Kes star

BY KATIA HARSTON, CHIEF REPORTER
WEDNESDAY 30TH APRIL 2014

CHRIS Corker's four-year-old kestrel 'Kes' can be temperamental at times and rarely lets him get close enough to touch her without having a peck at him.

In fact the only person who can get near enough to stroke her is Dai Bradley, who played 15-year-old Billy Casper in the 1969 iconic film, Kes, directed by Ken Loach.

Chris worked with Dai after he developed a birds of prey project to help unruly school pupils, which was inspired by the famous film.

Chris, of Meadow Road, Royston, said: "Dai is the only one I have known to be able to stroke her.

"She's a bit funny at the best of times and will not let me near her. She actually actually goes for me. Talk about biting the hand that feeds her."

Dai, 60, was surprised to learn he had the magic touch.

He said: "I didn't know that, it's quite nice to know. I'm pleased.

"I would imagine she's quite psychic and maybe birds have an extra sense like dogs have a wonderful sense of smell and once you have worked with kestrels perhaps they are aware of that and it stays with you.

"You have to be very careful though, I've been pecked by a kestrel before and I know what it's like."

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