Peregrine Falcons

[Guest]

There's some idiot spouting off on The American Pigeon Mailing list regarding the peregrine falcons in the UK, he has published some correspondence that says that the number of peregrines has increased in the UK by natural progression and that no one has encouraged the breeding, if any of you guys do subscribe to the PML can you please back me up regarding the RSPB and their lunatic policies regarding breeding peregrines in captivity and then settling them everywhere in England Scotland and Wales.

 

I quote from the posting

<The Peregrine is a native predator to Britain and Ireland and no restoration or introductions programs have ever taken place. The recovery of Britain and Ireland peregrines, from the devastation of agricultural contaminants ie DDT, is entirely natural.>

 

 

 

Your help would be appreciated

[Guest]

Good article giving the world-wide history of their re-introduction. Common strategy even in USA: A definite breeding of youngsters in captivity then setting them up in artificial nest boxes, guarded day-and-night.

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_falcon#Recovery_efforts

 

 

Plan to re-introduce them to London, by providing artificial nest-sites. Reckon there's enough breeding pairs to support natural spread now, though suspect that when a new pair does move in to a new site, they are given a helping hand, food AND guard. Haven't seen that in print though ... YET.

[bewted]

i am near RSPB centre SANDY in bedfordshire,,,,they breed falcons,buzzards and all sorts of birds of prey up and down the uk,sandy in particular has nesting birds of prey,take my word for it,they dont give a toss on song bird slaughter and think pigeon fanciers are easy prey to feed there predators food,RSPB do breed and introduce raptors in the wild,have done for many years every where in uk,,,ted

[Dave A]

what is the web address of the site i will jion and post summat

[jimmy white]

THE RSPB ARE RELEASING THESE BIRDS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND EVEN PUTTING NEST BOXES UP FOR THEM ALL OVER UK WILL POST ON THIS LATER

[Guest]

Thanks to everyone who has replied, they just don't seem to get it, they believe the peregrines are just producing on their own without the help of the RSPB

[Guest]

Gay mealey,  I can't pull up the link on my puter, try typing Pigeon Mailing List in google

[jimmy white]

the raptor foundation ,,,in uk " breeds permanately disabled raptors so their off spring can take there place in the wild"

the kent bids of prey centre in uk have released 106 raptors back in to the wild that were either injured or poisoned,

gamekeepers getting the blame for killing raptors in uk,

   most dead raptors found have had "carbofuran" poisoning, a common insecticide

THE RSPB TELL YOU NOWT BUT" HAVE A BREEDING PROGRAMME"

[Guest]

This is what I turned up about the plans for London. Nothing very natural in it that I can see, plain man interfering with Nature.

 

 

 

Species Action Plan : LONDON : Peregrine Falcon

 

“The City has, alas, an even slenderer claim than Salisbury to the honour of so magnificent a bird nesting” (Richard Fitter, 1949)

 

Aim

To assist the colonisation of London by peregrines, so that current and future generations of Londoners have the opportunity to see this magnificent bird over their city.

 

Introduction

Happily, the above quote from Richard Fitter's famous book London's Birds is no longer true. The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) with its steel-grey back and barred underparts is indeed a magnificent bird, renowned as perhaps the fastest animal in the world when stooping on its prey. It has captured the imagination of people throughout its world-wide range. To own a peregrine was a status symbol among British and European nobility in past times and it is a highly sought-after species among falconers today.

 

Current Status

The peregrine falcon is currently colonising London as part of a national recovery from serious declines in the middle of the 20th century, caused largely by poisoning from organochlorine pesticides such as DDT. The current UK population is estimated to be 1,402 breeding pairs (BTO National Peregrine Survey, 2002).

 

Largely a cliff-nesting species throughout its world range, peregrines are now taking to nesting on large buildings in urban areas. In the UK, peregrines nest on bridges, gasometers, pylons and a variety of buildings, often in artificial nest-boxes. The 2002 BTO survey identified 62 man made sites (i.e. buildings, bridges and pylons) across the UK where peregrines were breeding.

In London, the peregrine has always been a scarce passage migrant and winter visitor, though records show an increase in their numbers over recent years. Both the inner Thames marshes and the reservoirs of the Lee Valley and south-west London are important feeding areas for visiting peregrines in winter.

Although there are unconfirmed reports of peregrines having nested on St Paul's cathedral in the 1860s, the first pair to breed in modern times was probably the pair that fledged two young in 1998 on the derelict Spillers Millennium Mills building in the Royal Docks. Although single birds and pairs have subsequently frequented Beddington Farmlands (Sutton); the Wetland Centre, Barnes; Bankside Power Station (now Tate Modern) and the nearby Kings Reach Tower, no breeding was recorded until a pair bred successfully at Battersea Power Station in 2000. A pair has bred successfully on the site every year since.

In 2003, in addition to successful breeding at Battersea, there was one other confirmed breeding attempt in central London (albeit unsuccessful), unconfirmed breeding in the Greenwich Peninsula/Canary Wharf area and pairs present in Barking and Croydon. Just outside Greater London, a pair has nested for the last four years on Littlebrook Power Station, Dartford.  

 

4.Specific Factors Affecting the Species

 

4.1     Nature of urban nest sites

 

Peregrines do not build a nest, but make a shallow scrape if there is soft substrate available. Although there are plenty of suitable buildings for peregrines in Thames-side locations throughout London, soft substrate is usually lacking. This could lead to eggs rolling off ledges or being otherwise damaged. The provision of nest boxes or trays containing a layer of soft substrate can help solve this problem.

Young peregrines taking their first flight can usually scramble back up a natural cliff to return to their nest, or at least to a place of safety. The smooth vertical face of a building allows no such opportunity and may result in half-fledged young birds becoming stranded in the street. Careful design and positioning of nest boxes may reduce the incidence of this.

 

4.2     Illegal persecution

 

Illegal persecution may be a significant factor slowing the increase in peregrine populations. Egg-collectors and unscrupulous  falconers will rob nests and occasionally nests are damaged or destroyed to prevent perceived losses of game birds or racing pigeons. Although such persecution is less likely in urban areas, security of peregrine nest-sites is an important consideration, especially when selecting a location for a nest box.

 

4.3     Food

 

Food is plentiful in London, where feral pigeons, waders and a wide variety of passerine prey are present year round, with increased numbers of birds utilising the Thames and London’s lakes and reservoirs.

 

5. Current Action

 

5.1     Legal status

 

In the UK the peregrine is afforded full protection as a Schedule 1 breeding species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended). It is also listed on Appendix II of the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, 1979; Appendix II of the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, 1979; and as a species requiring special conservation measures on Annex I of the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, 1979.

 

5.2     Mechanisms targeting the species

 

These current actions are ongoing. They need to be supported and continued in addition to the new action listed under Section 7.

 

5.2.1     Survey

 

The British Trust for Ornithology undertakes regular national surveys of breeding peregrines. Surveys were undertaken in 1961, 1971,1981,1991 and 2002. Within London, known breeding sites are monitored by members of the Peregrine Working Group.

 

5.2.2     Nest box protection

 

Nest boxes have been provided on buildings frequented by peregrines in several places in the UK.  In London, to date, boxes have been erected at Crossness sewage treatment works and on a tower block in Islington.

 

5.2.3     Research

 

The Hawk and Owl Trust has been undertaking research over the last three years, into the variety of factors that have led to the increase in peregrines nesting on man made structures and in urban environments. A report of this research is to be produced in the spring of 2004, along with an “Advice Note” booklet for interested parties regarding the installation of artificial nest sites and boxes.

 

6.     Objectives, Actions and Targets

 

Most of these actions are specific to this species. However, there are other, broader actions that apply generically to a number of habitats and species. These are located in a separate 'Generic Action' section which should be read in conjunction with this document. There are generic actions for Site Management, Habitat Protection, Species Protection, Ecological Monitoring, Biological Records, Communications and Funding.

 

Please note that the partners identified in the tables are those that have been involved in the process of forming the plan. It is not an exclusive list and new partners are both welcomed and needed. The leads identified are responsible for co-ordinating the actions · but are not necessarily implementers.

 

A Peregrine Working Group has been established to oversee the implementation of this plan. The Working Group comprises interested individuals, plus representatives of the following organisations: English Nature, Hawk and Owl Trust, RSPB, LNHS, GLA, Royal Parks Agency and Corporation of London.

 

 

Objective 1 Create new nesting opportunities for peregrines in London

 

Target: 5 nest boxes in suitable locations by 2004

 

       

1.1 Contact owners of all buildings where peregrines are behaving territorially             

1.2 Contact owners/managers of buildings where peregrines display or nest of their own accord within 1 month of discovery     

 

1.3 Monitor breeding success at all nest sites (and, where feasible, ring young birds under the necessary Schedule 1 Licence)      

       

1.4 Provide ‘Advice Note’ on locating and installing nest boxes      

 

Objective 2  Raise awareness of peregrines nesting in the city

 

Target: Have opportunities for the public to view peregrines once a pair is firmly established

 

       

2.1 Establish a web-cam to view nest boxes      

 

2.2 Establish a view point where people can watch peregrines at a nest           

 

 

Contact

 

The Lead for this species is English Nature.

 

Peter Massini

English Nature

Devon House

12-15 Dartmouth Street

London SW1H 9BL     Tel 020 7340 4870

Email pete.massini@english-nature.org.uk

Web www.english-nature.org.uk

     

 

 

[morton]

May I respectfully suggest looking into the work of the Songbird Survival Organisation/Charity. They are an up and coming charity that is concentrating on the survival of songbirds through conservation work that includes controlling mammal and bird predators. Two of the reasons they believe why the songbird population is decreasing is domestic cats & Raptors especially sparrowhawks. Have a look at www.songbird-survival.org.uk.

They do not like the RSPB .....

[jimmy white]

very very good site  and giving us more "true" info than the rspb  worth keeping in touch with, which i am doing,,,,thanks morton

[morton]

Glad you like it Jimmy, I have joined them. Had a good chat to them at the Game Fair this year and they are so down to earth and sensible. Actually I think it's called "common sense"