Mixed fortunes for peregrine falcons...........

[El Annie]

In conserv@tion today...........

Early results from the 2002 national peregrine falcon survey reveal poor breeding success for the birds. The survey was organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and supported by Scottish Raptor Study Groups and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Returns for some areas from Scottish Raptor Study Groups, which consists of volunteers who have undertaken much of the survey in Scotland, indicate low chick survival rates. In Central Scotland and Western Perth and Kinross, for example, the overall number of successful nests was only half that recorded a decade ago.
More information -
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scotsman

http://www.habitat.org.uk/news1.htm

El Annie :t:

[wullie]

I see your point El . Over the last three of four years i have been involved in a peregrine watch has went from strength to strength over the last few years the next was raided the the scottish wildlife trust steped up the security round the birds and the next year they fledged 2 chick the year after 3 chicks and the year after that 2 chicks and this year all 4 left the nest we are hoping that they come back this year and that it will be succes again.

But we have to take in to account that not all wild peregrine or indeed any raptor is as lucky to have so much protection. and that there are people out there are willing to kill thesewonderful birds for there own gain.

What the people have to ask themselfs is . Is there enough being done to protect them and if not why not .

:bounce:

[Reader]

wullie

The sad case is that there are not enough volunteers around to protect every bird that needs protecting, nor will there ever be. We have to hope that education in society improves over the years and people will see sense in what is happening around us. I won't hold my breath though.

[wullie]

John i agree with you as you say we can only hope that thing change at so point.
But if every bird watcher had to put in a little time to help these endangered species then we might just move a little further down the line but in saying that it is not always possible for every bird watcher to do so work in this way .

[Gaye Horn]

Peregrins are making a marvellous gain here in Canada...this is great news for us here...

[Beverlybaynes]

Peregrines are making a good comeback here in the US, too.

There was a peregrine reintroduction project back '92 here in Indiana, and a pair was located atop the tallest building in Fort Wayne, Summit Square. They (although only one is still one of the original pair) have nested there annually since. And in spite of all my looking, I have yet to see one!!

Those birds are, by the way, Roosevelt and Freedom.

The utility company that owns the building maintains a nest cam there. When it comes up again in the spring, I'll try to remember to post a link.

A good friend is a nest box monitor, and he has promised me a trip to the nearby parking garage to scope them out.

The best second-hand sighting I know about is a good story: I was chatting on the phone with a friend who has a window office on the 5th floor of a building near to the nest building. All of a sudden, I hear a gasp, and he says he has just seen a peregrine stoop on a Red-Tailed Hawk, right outside his office window!

The hawk was injured, but rescued, and was eventually rehabbed and released by the rescue organizaiton I volunteer with.

[jayhunter]

I have spent time visiting some supposed Peregrine sites, but I have not been kucky as yet. Although I followed a Merlin down a country lane for two or three miles, until he stopped on a gate post, very rewarding, the facial colouration very similar to a small Peregrine.

[Nina P]

Oh dear what tales of woe, This year I have already had the pleasure of two separate sightings of peregrines, and they have not been seen in the areas that I have found them before, does that mean they are dispersing to other places in the hopes of being more sucessful? Over the last 8 years the number of raptors are increasing rapidly in this area, after a pair of buzzards, has grown to three flocks supporting at least five in strength, Goshawks , two pairs, sparrowhawks one pair have just appeared and a single peregrine so far this year, Does this sound promising? Nina P.

[Karl J]

I've had no luck with the supposed Perigrine sights either, after reading of sightings in the Breydon area I've been out a few times but without joy. A much better tale with the Marsh Harrier though - RSPB Strumpshaw. Excellent views.

[Reader]

I agree, it is good to hear of so many Perigrines doing well in certain areas . The trouble is I don't get to see them often enough. I love watching these birds. I live in Birmingham and we actually have up to 3 roosting on the B.T tower in the centre of the city. Apart from those, and I think there is one on Warwick Castle, it becomes increasingly hard to see them in this area.

BTW Spar, introduce yourself in the say Hello forum. It will give everyone a chance to get to know you but for now, on behalf of the forum Moderators make I take this opportunity to give you a warm welcome to this friendly forum. If there are any questions you feel like asking then please ask away as there are plenty of people in this forum only too willing to share their knowledge.

We have enough knowledge in this forum to cover virtually any subject on birding / photography plus many other subjects.

Take a good look at the gallery (if you haven't done so already) and you will be amazed at the quality of most of the images contained in there.

Finally, I speak for everyone I would think, we are looking forward to the many birding day out reports you can put into the forum and also any photos you can put into the gallery.

I hope you enjoy being a member of the fastest growing bird forum in the world.