Peregrines in London

[benp1]

I thought that Londoners might be interested to know that there often Peregrine Falcons on the Tate Modern tower in London.

When I went down there I spotted two on the North side of the tower, just visible with bins from the Millenium bridge. If you have a scope I'd say take one, they're a fair way up and my 8x bins struggled to make them out in any great detail, but they're definitely there.

Apparently a pair has also been spotted on the Houses of Parliament.

I've been emailing someone at the London Peregrine Partnership who has been really helpful, hopefully people may benefit too

[Johnny Allan]

The RSPB have a watchpoint with telescope at the Tate Modern when the Peregrines are regular:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/tate/index.asp

and Peregrine have bred on the Palace of Westminster:

http://www.london-peregrine-partnership.org.uk/

They have been noted at a few other sites and have bred in Croydon for a few years now and bred in Sutton for the first time this year.

[joannec]

and Peregrine have bred on the Palace of Westminster:

[
.............and have bred in Croydon for a few years now and bred in Sutton for the first time this year.

And on UCL hospital, I've heard!

[benp1]

The RSPB have a watchpoint with telescope at the Tate Modern when the Peregrines are regular:


Actually thats partly what made me want to go down there as I missed the watchpoint. Its unfortunately no longer there

It was just a quick post so people know that they are still there (and apparently knock about year round). I did a quick search when I was first looking for them but didn't find anything

[honeym]

Several Peregrine are also regular at the London Wetland Centre and often perch on a nearby hospital.

I've also had Peregrine fly overhead with prey when I was working in Wandsworth (headed off towards Battersea Power Station) and have also had one hunting pigeons near Gloucester Road underground station.

Martin

[rubatroid]

Yes, they are regular. I see them every week as my local work patch is Bankside. My office is right next to Southwark Bridge overlooking the river, and they often fly past the window in their trips to and from the Tate Modern chimney.

They are a good local patch bird to have and are one of only a very few species that i am guaranteed to see pretty much every day of the year (if I try).

Reuben

[DavidinParis]

Yes, they are regular. I see them every week as my local work patch is Bankside. My office is right next to Southwark Bridge overlooking the river, and they often fly past the window in their trips to and from the Tate Modern chimney.

They are a good local patch bird to have and are one of only a very few species that i am guaranteed to see pretty much every day of the year (if I try).

Reuben

Used to be a good spot for Black Redstarts as well. One of the downsides of the redevelopment of the South Bank was the renovation of some old warehouses into offices and apartments, especially close to Gabriel's Wharf. The BRs then disappeared as did the regular Kestrels.

DiP

[rubatroid]

I just had a peregrine fly past my office window (next to Southwark bridge) at eye level with a big piece of prey in its mouth - must have been only 3 metres away from me as it flew past. It was clearly heading to it's favourite roost on the tate Modern to enjoy it's catch.

It was a split second view because it was so close, so didn't see what prey it had.

Still a nice surprise to get so close to these great birds, even if only for a second!

Reuben