News

Saturday, 1 August 2009

Peregrine Falcon Watch - a Success Story

Peregrines are magical birds but very rare in Cheshire. In 2008, three peregrine chicks were taken from the nest site at Beeston Castle by men climbing down the cliff. Peregrines began nesting at the site in the late 1980's and after a robbery in 1992 a nest watch scheme operated for 12 years with volunteers and the police but it was then disbanded.

A new watch scheme was set up for 2009, involving teams of volunteers keeping a 24 hour, 7 days per week watch for the duration of the nesting and rearing of chicks (April to June). The organising team was led by Bernard Wright of the Broxton Barn Owl Group. This involved an army of dedicated volunteers, who gave their time either to man the watch or help with organisation.

Due to the dedicated help of all these people, the scheme was a great success and the young peregrines fledged successfully this year.

Some facts about Peregrines

The peregrine is the largest British breeding falcon. It is 38-48 cm long, and its wingspan is 95-110 cm. The female is considerably larger than the male. The upper parts are dark blue-grey, and the under parts are pale with fine, dark bars. The head has a black 'hood' with black moustache-like markings on the face. Juvenile birds are browner and heavily streaked below.

Peregrines typically pair for several years and may live up to 10 years old - the oldest on record was 15 years and 6 months old. Both adult birds tend the young, which take their first flight after 5 or 6 weeks