A hawk who has been missing for six months has been spotted all over the borough while his owner desperately tries to catch him and is appealing for his safe return.

Jock is a 12-year-old redtail hawk who originates from Scotland before he made the move to live with his new owner in Watersheddings earlier this year.

However, when Jack Crompton settled the bird of prey into his new home, it wasn't long before Jock made his big escape.

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Mr Crompton said the enormous bird managed to break off from the line in April and has been giving him "the run around ever since" with sightings of him all across Oldham and as far as Rochdale.

The owner, who keeps and trains several birds at his home, said Jock won't return willingly as he isn't used to him but he often sees his pet stalking the skies whenever he goes out.

Typically, Jock prefers to hang around the Sholver area but does occasionally appear around Derker, Royton and Milnrow - and as of Tuesday (November 20) this week, was spotted near Salmon Fields.

The Oldham Times: Jock has a distinctive tail, ankle straps and makes screaming squawking sounds which people might mistake for an eagle Jock has a distinctive tail, ankle straps and makes screaming squawking sounds which people might mistake for an eagle (Image: Jack Crompton)

The red tail hawk is distinctive, not least of all because of his red tail but because he still has his ankle straps on.

That, and Mr Crompton said he "screams" which people may mistake as an eagle squawk and can sometimes be seen fighting other birds off in the sky.

So far, Jock has evaded all his owner's efforts to catch him and video footage of the attempts shows how Jock circulates above Old Bank Farm while Mr Crompton waits patiently below with rabbit on a line to lure him in.

Mr Crompton said he was grateful to Alan and Angela on the farm for letting him set up traps and trail cameras and for letting him generally "roam" their land to try to catch the bird.

The bird owner said: "I've tried all sorts."

But now as the winter months begin to creep in, he said he is becoming increasingly worried about Jock.

He said: "Food is getting harder to catch now in this weather - he's looking for them easy meals.

"Most birds of prey are on the tipping point of life and death in winter anyway but it's worse for him as he gets hounded by all other birds and has an injury on his leg.

"My other bird will just come to me but this one, he didn't trust me so he doesn't come."

Mr Crompton said he has now laid additional traps down with bait at Jock's favourite haunts and farms.

He continued: "He will be struggling but this is a big chance for him to finally come down to be looked after.

"I'm hoping that now it's winter, he'll go around houses again and I'll be able to get him.

"Please keep an eye out. He will be in gardens now that it's cold, looking for food.

"Keep your eyes in the sky and your rabbits locked up, people", he joked.

As for anyone who spots the bird, the owner urged people not to feed Jock "unless you're going to throw a net over him" and to instead make contact with him straight away.

He added: "You can't miss him and he makes what you think might sound like eagle noises, but it's a red-tailed hawk 'screaming'."

Those who see the bird can get in touch with Jack Crompton by searching for him on Facebook or by posting pictures in local social media groups.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.