A FLYING visitor of the carnivorous kind has turned up on an Eastleigh allotment site where developers are set to swoop.

Hundreds of homes earmarked for the the Woodside Avenue allotments although the bricks and mortar invasion may be some while off.

Meanwhile a red tailed hawk, which is widespread through the North American continent, has set up home on the town centre allotment site.

The bird of prey feeds on small rodents, insects and birds and - in this case - mostly pigeons.

A picture shown above taken by Simon Ingram, of Eastleigh, shows the bird in an oak tree on the railway embankment which seems to be its most popular perch.

Simon's father, Ted Ingram of the Eastleigh and Bishopstoke Allotments Association, said: "Plot holders at the Woodside Avenue allotments have enjoyed for the last three weeks the company of an unusual visitor.

"A red tailed hawk has been resident in the area, hunting through the trees on the railway embankment and in the adjoining cemetery."

The hawk is of North American origin and is extensively used for falconry in the United Kingdom.

Mr Ingram says they have surfed through the various websites to see if a falconer has lost one of these birds.

However, their inquiries have so far drawn a blank.

The bird which has taken up residence at Woodside would appear to be a juvenile and will grow to about 25 inches long.

Mr Ingram said: "Attempts are being made by a local falconer to catch the hawk and when this has been achieved the bird will be trained and named Woodside."

He said it was a good example of how rich the area was in wildlife and this would be threatened if development went ahead.

The red tailed hawk is the most common of the buteo (buzzard) family. Preferring woodland to inhabit, it will avoid dense forest and often hunts from perches.

They feast on a vast array of prey including ground mammals, other birds, reptiles and rodents.

According to the experts a fit female red-tailed hawk in full pursuit of quarry must rate as one of nature's most breathtaking spectacles.

A spokesman for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust said the Hawk had probably escaped from a falconry.

The bird of prey would have some measure of protection But it would not be enough to stop land hungry developers swooping on the Woodside allotments because the plans to build new homes are at an early stage.