Peregrine 71

Peregrine   Falco peregrinus

The 2007 clutch of peregrines number FIVE!  Here are just 2 of them bonding after a meal of juicy Passenger Pigeon. June 18th 2007.  These birds are less developed than the bird at the bottom of the page so are about 2 weeks behind the 2004 chicks (global cooling!).

Peregrine 73

Peregrine 83

Peregrine 75

Here are some photos from a family of Peregrines I watched grow and develop throughout the early part of summer 2004 in the Forest of Dean.  Amazingly, this peregrine couple successfully reared 4 chicks to adulthood.   Peregrines are rare raptors that nest on cliff faces throughout the British Isles.   Because the Peregrine is so threatened it is a protected species, so keeping the location of nests like this one a secret is important to prevent theft of the birds and eggs by unscrupulous falconers and collectors.  The sequence below charts the development of the chicks.

16th May: adult female with young fluffy chicks

19th May: Female on the nest with 4 chicks

19th May:  Feeding time (C)

31st May: All chicks still alive at a month old (1 chick hidden)

31st May: The male keeps an eye on his family (C)

13th June: the 4th chick almost an adult now and flying with its parents

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