A BIRD of prey owner has thanked the Journal for helping to reunite him with his missing falcon.

Wayne Wriggs, 42, was devastated when Jock, a gyrfalcon crossed with a peregrine, flew away from his Astley garden after being spooked by the barking of a neighbour's dog on Thursday.

An appeal for residents to help find Jock was launched via the Journal's website and Facebook page and a delighted Wayne had him back home by Sunday.

Wayne, of Cranworth Avenue, said: "After the appeal was put out the response was absolutely unbelievable.

"I must have had 60 to 70 phone calls from people saying they had seen Jock, but most of the sightings turned out to be buzzards.

"Then on Sunday afternoon a dog walker spotted a hungry Jock on the Moss in Astley.

"Vernon Brown, a bird of prey expert from Hindsford, was called in and after throwing some food in Jock's direction he came down to eat.

"I am delighted to have him back and am overwhelmed by the response.

"I want to thank the Journal and everyone else for their help."

Named Jock due to him being bought in Scotland, the falcon flew away after a swivel cable broke in the garden.

He was standing on the garden fence when the barking dog scared him.