Bird lover Ray Muttock never thought he would see Gos, the Goshawk, again after the animal was taken along with his vehicle.

But, after launching an appeal in the Chron, the falconer was bombarded by phone calls, including one from a man who had rescued Gos from a bush near Thrapston.

Mr Muttock, who has trained and cared for the bird since he was born in July, said: "I'm over the moon, I can't believe it. When I met the man I nearly shook his hand off.

"Gos would have been dead if he had not been found because he had been let off with all his equipment on and if he had become tangled in a bush, he would have either died a slow death or been eaten by a fox or another predator.

"Gos was frightened by the man because he was a stranger to him but when he saw me he relaxed because he knows me. Even though he is a wild animal and not a pet we have a real bond."

He added: "I'm grateful for all the readers of the Chronicle & Echo who called and especially the man."

Mr Muttock's grey Land Rover, registration number Y711 MBM, was taken between 2pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, with Gos in the back, from land off Holdenby Road, near East Haddon.

The 64-year-old, who works at the falconry at Holdenby House, was ferreting for rabbits with a friend and another goshawk when the vehicle was stolen.

Gos was in a plastic box in the vehicle and had a leash around his ankles tethered to a glove.

Mr Muttock, from Abington, then contacted the Chron to generate publicity and get his bird back. He put up a £300 reward.

About 50 calls came flooding in, including the one from the man, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Mr Muttock said: "He was such a nice man. He said he didn't want the money but I absolutely insisted and gave him no option.

"I was beginning to think that was it, because as each day passed there was less of a chance that Gos would be found alive."

oliver.jelley@northantsnews.co.uk< /a