Peregrines in north-west England

May/June 2011:
A pair of Peregrines which have nested successfully in the very centre of a town in north-west England has created much interest amongst the local inhabitants.



The parent birds took over a disused Ravens’ nest on a ledge on the north side of a high stone-built building and the three eggs laid hatched about seven weeks ago. Since then it’s been interesting to watch these three small downy chicks develop into strong-flying fully-feathered birds. However, they certainly weren’t always strong-flying, two of them had to be rescued after their first outing, one of them flying directly into a nearby shop window and becoming temporarily stunned. For their own safety, both were then cared for by members of the raptor protection group but after a few days were reunited with their sibling and parents amidst a great of noise and commotion. When all had settled down, the third chick even sidled up to one of the re-united birds and touched bills, apparently a welcoming home gesture. It’s good to report that all three are now flying strongly and rapidly becoming independent although their parents still keep a wary eye on them.



Some photographs taken over the last few weeks of the adults and young are below. These are not in any special order and I've been waiting for the young birds to fly before putting any photos on here.

















[Welcoming back]

Mediterranean Gull and Peregrine, Lancashire

March 24, 2011:
A short visit to the north of the county taking advantage of the continued warm weather provided good views of a Mediterranean Gull amongst many Black-headed Gulls and also a Peregrine staking out its territory.





The bird was not always popular with the neighbouring Black-headed Gulls though and eventually flew away.




However, other birds kept well clear of the Peregrine especially having seen its blood-stained breast feathers.

Peregrines in northern England (Part 2): a success story and aerial display

July 19, 2010:

(One of the chicks on June 10)

Slightly over five weeks ago the two young Peregrines at this site were mere helpless nest-bound chicks hiding amongst the flowers on their cliff-face. Things have now moved on rapidly so that today, in one of the few brief spells of sunshine, both juveniles were airborne practising their flying skills with their parents in close attendance. For over five minutes all four birds gave an impressive aerial display before the parents led the juveniles away, presumably for further tuition, perhaps this time in hunting.






A rather worn and weary parent circled close by presumably approving of their aerobatics.


It was both encouraging and a relief to know that these birds have nested succesfully and not suffered the fate of others not too far away whose nests were raided by collectors.

Peregrines in northern England

June 10, 2010:
There has been much depressing news this year of Peregrine nests having been raided by humans and the chicks taken. Several such have been reported, especially in the north-west.


[Feathers ruffled in the strong wind]

Thankfully, however, not all have met this fate. Here the young birds were developing nicely and the parents actively hunting. On two separate occasions within the hour, the parents were seen two take a Jackdaw, their bloodied breast feathers a sure sign of success. At one point both birds were dismembering prey together on the same ledge - and consuming most of it themselves although some bits were later fed to the young. At other times they would remain on watch and one was always present if the other hunted away from the immediate area.









Meanwhile the downy white well-grown chicks were well camouflaged amongst the flowers on the cliff.




[Another chick, well concealed, is just to the right of the parent]

Alert Peregrine and busy Raven, Lancashire

April 4, 2010:

Apparently not wearing an apron when preparing lunch




Raven feeding three hungry chicks.
(All photos taken at extreme range)