Harris hawks, native to the more arid regions of the USA, are unusual among birds of prey in that they hunt in groups: with previous years' chicks hanging around to help out their parents. When hunting, several birds will fly ahead while another flushes prey forward towards them -- like the velociraptors of Jurassic Park. Their social nature and their intelligence make them ideal for human use; and they are now the species most widely used in western falconry.
These hawks, as well as peregrine falcons, are commonly used in management of public spaces to deter pigeons. Around London, for example, the birds have been used at St Pancras Station, St Pauls, Trafalgar square, and Westminster Abbey to deter pigeons during major events. Rufus and his colleagues will also be zipping around the olympic site. Rufus hit the headlines this year as he went missing from Wimbledon last weekend when he was stolen from a van in which he had been left overnight. Fortunately he was left, unharmed, with the RSPCA and is now back on duty.
Here's a song fittingly called Army of Birds by the marvellous Gaggle whose album launch gig I am off to this evening.
And here is a song about tennis players (well, it's not about tennis players, but the title suggests it might be and it is bloody beautiful).
As I leave this post Murray is one set down four games apiece in the second set of the quarter final against Ferrer. I very much enjoyed the candour of one Spectator I saw interviewed in the coverage:
BBC reporter: "Do you think Andy Murray stands a chance this year"
Interviewee: "No"
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