Peregrine falcon at Chichester Cathedral

            Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) are famously capable of reaching speeds of around 320 kilometres per hour as they dive or 'stoop' to catch their prey. Traditionally, the birds kept away from humans, but they've been getting closer in the last few decades.

 The falcon above is a parent to 3 fledgelings which are due to take to the wing in the next few days.

UK peregrines seeking city addresses
'Peregrines began moving into our cities during the 1990s after their populations recovered from decades of decline from persecution and the effects of pesticides in the countryside,' explains naturalist and author Ed Drewitt, who is currently researching peregrine falcons for a PhD at the University of Bristol.

A total of 1,769 breeding pairs were estimated across the UK by the British Trust for Ornithology's (BTO) peregrine survey in 2014 (see the PDF). The survey found that peregrine falcons were faring much better in urban and coastal situations than in the hills. Food supply is one factor that attracts the predators to the lowlands, while in the uplands there is continued persecution by humans, particularly around grouse moors.

'Peregrines nest on over 200 urban or manmade locations across the country today,' says Ed. 'The earliest record of a peregrine using a building goes back to 1864/65 at Salisbury Cathedral, while in London peregrines used St Paul's Cathedral as early as 1921.'

Taken on: June 11, 2023

Tags:

Peregrine

falcon

cathedral

bird

prey

Falco peregrinus « less

Groups appears in: • Birds • FlickrCentral more » • Wildlife Photography • Birds/Aves • Flickritis: over 87,000 waiting for a vaccine. • Nature Photography • wildlife photographers • ANYTHING ALLOWED!!!!!! • Bird Fanatics! (No Limits) • Animal Planet • Nature Notes • All things beautiful in Nature (no humans or man made objects) • Canon Camera • Nature and Photography • **FlickrsBest** • Canon Friends UK • Birds of the British Isles • "Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST! (Post 1 Award 3)" • N A T U R E [no limits] • Very Flickr • NATURE'S BEST • Birds (no rules) • * Birds of Britain * • Bird Watchers • Popular Photography Magazine • Birds Photos - Check out the new discussions! • Official National Geographic Group • Birds birds birds birds! • The Birds Of Flickr • National Geographic Wild Life • National Geographic | World Wide • Feathers and flight • National Wildlife Magazine Photo Group • BBC Springwatch (Official) • Photographing Birds • Nature of the World Unlimited (9000+ Invite your friends!) • National Trust Wildlife • RSPB Love Nature • World of Birds • *Birdwatching* • :: | Bird Photography |:: • Digital SLR Photography Magazine • Swift`Wings ~an invitation group~ P1/C2 • *Feathers & Beaks* P1 - A3 • Eblouissante Nature / Brilliant Nature - P1/C2 - No People • NUESTRAS FOTOGRAFÍAS. • Canon EOS Cameras. • Wildlife and Landscape Photography • Birds of Britain and Europe • Worldwide Fauna • *Birds Photography* • Birdwatching in the World • The best photographs from around the world. • Flickrology • La Galería de las AVES (Solo imágenes de “AVES”) • Fans of Flickr • Watch the birdie « less

Camera: Canon EOS 90D, f/7.1, 1/8000 sec, 600mm, ISO 2500 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 90D
Aperture:	f/7.1
Exposure Time:	1/8000 sec
Focal Length:	600mm
ISO:	2500
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 21.0 (Windows)
Show full info

Stats: 1,215 views / 11 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: