Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus
Canon 800mm f6.3 for 1/1250th @ iso400
It must be six years or more since a day trip out with Steve and Roy ended up with a quick trip out to see these birds. For those years most Sundays have weather permitting has seen me meet up with Roy to watch the goings on of these original male and female - she having in the last two years has been replaced by a younger and trimmer model !
Each year three young have been raised fledged and moved off from the nest site - the blokes who originally built the structure a hundred years or more ago would never have thought that Peregrines would be utilising their handy work.
Between us we have over the time seen some sights from juveniles on the floor falling gently post frantic flapping in the nest to strengthen wing muscles and remove the downy white feathers.
Adults have challenged anything within their airspace which seems to be as far as the Peregrine eye can see - certainly frantic calling between the pair can start well in advance before Roy or I could see what it was that they were unhappy about. More often than not it is another Peregrine - perhaps a previous years juvenile - or another passing bird - but aerial combat post a launch from the site is not uncommon.
A Peregrine flying past at head height is some experience s the bird binds to one of the many magpies which potter about collecting scraps which are dropped from the nest site.
The security guards large German Shepard is allegedly friendly and I am sure it has a passion for Roy's leg - probably given the chance an early morning snack. I am sure the security chaps think we are mad stood about but they see them everyday !!
It must be six years or more since a day trip out with Steve and Roy ended up with a quick trip out to see these birds. For those years most Sundays have weather permitting has seen me meet up with Roy to watch the goings on of these original male and female - she having in the last two years has been replaced by a younger and trimmer model !
Each year three young have been raised fledged and moved off from the nest site - the blokes who originally built the structure a hundred years or more ago would never have thought that Peregrines would be utilising their handy work.
Between us we have over the time seen some sights from juveniles on the floor falling gently post frantic flapping in the nest to strengthen wing muscles and remove the downy white feathers.
Adults have challenged anything within their airspace which seems to be as far as the Peregrine eye can see - certainly frantic calling between the pair can start well in advance before Roy or I could see what it was that they were unhappy about. More often than not it is another Peregrine - perhaps a previous years juvenile - or another passing bird - but aerial combat post a launch from the site is not uncommon.
A Peregrine flying past at head height is some experience s the bird binds to one of the many magpies which potter about collecting scraps which are dropped from the nest site.
The security guards large German Shepard is allegedly friendly and I am sure it has a passion for Roy's leg - probably given the chance an early morning snack. I am sure the security chaps think we are mad stood about but they see them everyday !!