Some Peregrine Falcon Action from London this year
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Peregrine Falcons on a BT building in Vauxhall; this pair had four young in their second year at this location, after failing in 2009 due to a lack of substrate( material to lay eggs on). Dave and I were involved in building and siteing a nest tray. Hopefully lots of people were able to enjoy watching the birds incubate and the development of the chicks, until they covered the camera lens with their droppings.
Peregrine Falcons on Quadrant House, Sutton. It is against the law to wilfully disturb this schedule on species. The only reason that we had to briefly annoy them was to get as near as possible, the date when the juveniles were going to fledge. Last year when this location came to light it was to late to put in place a volunteer group that would be on hand if any juveniles needed rescuing. This resulted in only one bird fledging successfully and one being taken away to Tiggywinkles Animal Hospital having been misidentified as a Kestrel. It was returned day’s later when the mistake was pointed out, but the release went pear shaped and the bird flew off when startled. So this year it was agreed with the Metropolitans Wildlife Crime Unit that this disturbance was necessary.
There was one more site that we have monitored, where the birds have failed for the last two years. It means that if they are to succeed they will probably need some assistance.
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Comments
It could be either of them, we know that the Central London pair go off hunting in that direction. Hobby's used to breed on Hampstead Heath, but I do not think that they have for a couple of years, but that could have changed as Stoke Newington has reported the odd bird hunting over there. Hobby's tend to appear more elegant looking with their narrow wings and tail. At high altitude a small male Peregrine might confuse you, but they tend to always look bulkier unless in a stoop. Keep your eyes open, it might be a regular event, with Swifts gathering before they soon depart.