A FIFE falconry expert has appealed for help in finding his Harris Hawk which flew off after being spooked by a dog.

Stuart Milne reckons that three-year-old Miss McNab, which went missing from the Elite Falconry centre near Cluny as he was flying her, will survive in the wild but is desperate to get her back.

He’s only had the hawk for some eight weeks—he named it after his former history teacher at Blairgowrie High School—and is delighted at the progress she’s shown so far. Although Miss McNab was bred in this country, it’s a bird that naturally exists in the southern states of America where they are often attacked by coyotes.

This has led to a natural fear of four-legged animals of a certain size and Mr Milne believes that when a small dog entered the field as he was flying the hawk, this is what made her fly off.

He said, “She hunts things like crows, pigeons and rabbits and should be able to live in the wild, although she will be pestered by other birds.”

Miss McNab is about the size of a large, common buzzard and weighs 2lb 5oz, has deep brown and reddish colouring and a distinctive white band at the base of her tail. She favours high perches to look out for prey and might be spotted on things like telegraph poles.

“Harris Hawks are the most common falconry bird because they are so loyal and in the wild will hunt in groups.”

Anyone who spots Miss McNab is asked to contact Mr Milne on 07765 200530, Elite Falconry on 01592 722143 or the RSPB on 01767 693690.