Peregrine Falcon

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is the most widespread bird of prey in the world. It gets its name from a medieval word meaning ‘wandering’ or ‘travelling from abroad’ and reflects the migratory habit of many northern populations. In Britain, the peregrine tends to over-winter without migrating abroad. The peregrine is famed for its stooping dives during which it reaches over 200 mph making it the fastest animal on earth.

Biology

The adult has a dark grey head and sideburns, a white throat and neck, and a dark blue/grey back. Males are smaller than females; reaching 0.8 kg compared to the latter’s 1.5 kg. In the wild the peregrine usually lives for 15 years. Adaptations to extremely fast flight include nasal ducts to channel air, and extra transparent eyelids.

Pairs nest at high altitude, usually on cliffs, and will hunt up to 20 kilometres away, usually in twilight, but occasionally nocturnally. Preferred prey is small birds up to the size of wood pigeons, which are stunned during a dive and retrieved mid-air. Small mammals, reptiles and insects may supplement the diet.

History of Human Contact

Peregrines were heavily persecuted during the twentieth century. Direct assault came from egg collectors, game-shooters, and pigeon fanciers; and indirectly from the effects of pesticides such as DDT. DDT use was halted in the 1960s, and although peregrines are now off the endangered list, they are still protected from the few remaining egg collectors and others who would promote their destruction.

Peregrine Falcons in Plymouth

In Plymouth city centre, the Guildhall tower has been used for a decade or more as a hunting platform for peregrines.

Cann Quarry in the lower Plym Valley has been home to peregrines intermittently for over 50 years. Since 2001 a 24 hour watch over the nesting site has been maintained entirely by volunteers as a result of a poisoning incident in 2000.  With the support ofthe National Trust, who own thequarry the Peregrines nest in, the volunteers have helped 13 peregrine chicks safely through to fledging. In 2010 the chicks were ringed to enable experts to track their progress. Whilst the Peregrine Falcon is no longer endangered, it is still vulnerable to abuse from certain sectors of society such as egg collectors.On average over 20,000 visitors ayear visit the first viaduct upstream of Plymbridge from where the nesting site can be observed through telescopes manned by the volunteers. Another 10,000 people visit the Plym Valley website to watch the webcam. An education programme set up toteachchildren and young people about Peregrines is also very popular with Plymouth schools. The Plym Peregrine Project is in operation from March to July when the birds are at their most vulnerable.

For more information on Peregrine Falcons, please visit the BBC or RSPB websites.

Photo credit: Tony Jones