peregrine falcon

Pigeon brought in by the male, the female then spent some time plucking it, before taking it to the vocal fledglings. One of the juves was competent at eating alone already, but this one needed a helping talon, and was fed by mum!

Bringing back lunch for her chicks, though they had almost fledged by this point.

Young Peregrine flyover

Heading off to get lunch for her fledglings.

I am imagining this young one thinking. "One day I hope to fly that high." This juvenile is about 72 days old.

This photograph was taken at the moment the young Peregrine had targeted its prey. What happened a nano second later was just way too quick to photograph. This young juvenile has already been attacking Lesser-black Backed Gulls and last Friday she downed a female Goosander which I believe...

Of the four fledged in June, this is one of three that I saw together today. Parents are training them to hunt now by making the young come to them and grab prey from the parent mid-air; this trains the young to develop accuracy in making an inflight strike on their prey. This is my first...

Back in 2005 Peregrine Falcons attempted to nest in Manchester city centre. The female laid her eggs but sadly the nest got waterlogged and the nest site was abandoned. I spent many months looking for a suitable nest location and eventually found a site that I thought was perfect for them. I...

Taking flight lessons from mom and dad.

These Falcon parents take their young to this location where collisions are minimalized after fledging. The roof of this building is high, flat, overlooking the river, and away from traffic.

Well Folks, Yesterday I did a gruelling route march over some pretty rough terrain. I went to see if I could find the Peregrines, who had moved from their regular site due to cliff falls and mudslides. After a really long trek, I managed to catch up with em at their new nest...

First flight out of the eyrie. Still some "baby falcon fuzz" on head and back.

Two young falcons congratulate each other on their successful flights out of the eyrie. (: with a little help from photoshop :)

On the bridge (which is an extension of her nest) yesterday, and fledged today. Now she is exploring a very big world and learning to fly under the watchful eyes of her parents.

After seeing one of these young falcons flattened in Boston traffic last week*, I am hoping for the best for this young one (its mom's 21st fledgling since 2009). * two young falcons have been killed by bicycle delivery persons in Massachusetts--unbelievable!!!

In pursuit of a pigeon

Two Peregrine Falcons (male and female) passing food between each other.

Peregrine Falcon on Cathedral in Coventry UK

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Well Peeps, We had a bit of a late one last night...Hazel's brother Doug and the roadie from his band got here from Denmark about 10-30. After a few nightcaps, it was getting on a bit before I hit the sack. Its only an overnight stay for em, as they are off gigging up north around the Manchester...

Well Peeps, We got to Lakenheath yesterday afternoon, not too bad of a journey, spent the rest of the day just chillin. Always on the lookout from the train windows, and see a nice Red Kite soaring over a field just south of Hitchin...Definitely a first from that area. Its a wet morning here at...