It's time for us to leave the stars of the Cardiff Peregrines Date with Nature event. Although our pair failed to raise any chicks this year, that didn't stop them entertaining the crowds at City Hall Lawn and National Museum Cardiff with their aerial chases and general awe-inspiring feats.
Rebecca Clews, People Engagement Manager in Wales, takes up the story;
'14,000 visitors met with Sarah and Craig (our People Engagement Officers) who happily showed off the peregrines with the super duper pan and tilt camera set up by staff at the museum – it even had a screen wiper to beat the worst of this summers' elements!
Sarah and Craig enjoyed the amazed looks they got from visitors as they told them of the speeds these raptors can reach when giving chase to their prey, and also of the size difference between male and female birds using the 'Peregrine Prop' – a drinks bottle filled with water up to the weight of an average adult bird. It was great to see the look on the faces of young and old alike as they imagined that weight descending on them at over 100mph!
Fun for all
The staff and volunteer team enjoyed creating and performing their pantomime 'Fantastic Falcon Detectives' to an audience that booed and cheered in all the right places, while also learning about our Bird of Prey Campaign.
Our Springwatch weekend was a great success, with lots of fun had making peregrine masks to take home. Equally enjoyable were the one-hour adaptation workshops, held in the Science and Education Room of the museum, where participants played games to learn the different adaptations animals have for surviving in specific places. There was even a chance to have a go at designing their very own creature.
We hope to see you next year, along with some chicks - keep those fingers crossed!'