Over the past few weeks I've been following the trials and tribulations of the Derby Cathedral peregrines, as reported via the Derbyshire Natural History discussion forum.
Two of the three chicks took their first flights this weekend: a nerve racking experience for the volunteers who have been keeping an eye on them. One fledgling made its way safely back to the nest tray, but the other had to be rescued when it found itself grounded in a nearby car park.
Reading about this incident took me back to the summer of 1980 when I worked as a warden for the RSPB at St Bees Head in Cumbria (where the photo above was taken). Here's an extract from my monthly report:
On the 8th June a recently fledged juvenile peregrine was found exhausted on the cliff top over half a mile from the nest site. Apparently it had been chased from the eyrie by the neighbouring herring gulls until it could fly no further.
With the help of Tim Dean, Tony Warburton, Mike Madders and the local mountain rescue team, the young bird was returned safely to a ledge near the nest.
As I recall, it wasn't long before this youngster and its sibling were skillfully dodging attacks from angry gulls and putting on an impressive display of aerobatics over the cliff tops.
In the quarter of a century that has elapsed since then, peregrines have begun to colonise Britain's cities. The raptor's population has recovered from the devastating effects of organochlorine pesticides, but one of the limiting factors on its distribution is the availability of safe nest sites. Tall city buildings make great cliff substitutes, so the peregrine has come to town! According to the BTO, 62 pairs nested on man-made structures in the UK in 2002.
People often assume that urban peregrines feed mainly on feral pigeons. Apparently this is not usually the case. Research undertaken at a Bristol nest site found that the birds had a very varied diet, which featured mammals and amphibians as well as birds. The prey of Derby's peregrines has included species such as greenfinch, great spotted woodpecker, starling, blackbird, swift, lapwing, woodcock, teal, little grebe and moorhen. Some of these birds are found mainly in rural areas, suggesting that the falcons are ranging far and wide from their urban base.
Years ago I stumbled on a webcam run by Kodak up in Rochester, NY. They've got a nest box there for peregrines. The chicks have now flown the coop and the webcam is closed for the season.
I've only recently moved away from cities (grew up in Brooklyn, New York; lived for 20 years in metro-Boston, Massachusetts), but throughout that time I've seen wildlife one doesn't "expect" to see in urban areas.
Posted by: Elissa | Tuesday, 11 July 2006 at 09:22 PM