Peregrines make love nest in city

TWO birds have been causing a stir among shoppers and workers by shunning cliffs for a city centre location.

The pair of peregrine falcons have been spotted around Hanley, thought to have been attracted by high buildings and pigeons.

One of the city centre visitors to spot the birds was Sentinel reader Terry Davenhill, who was in Hanley for a one-off job.

The hawk-eyed 47-year-old construction worker, of London Road, Chesterton, said: "It was a bit of a fluke, I just looked up and saw them and couldn't believe they were peregrine falcons.

"I saw one 12 months ago, so they must come and go."

The peregrine falcon can reach speeds of over 200mph, making it the fastest animal in the world and hunts medium-sized birds swooping down on them from high above.

It is a powerful bird which became an endangered species in many areas due to the use of pesticides but increased conservation and protection work means that is not as rare as in the past. The RSPB estimate there are around 1,400 breeding pairs in the UK.

Females are notably larger than males but adults of both sexes can be identified by blue-grey wings, dark brown backs and white faces with a black tear stripe on their cheeks.

Gareth Lord, pictured right, owner of the Kingsley Bird and Falconry Centre, said: "Peregrine falcons breed anywhere, in inner cities they'll be on church tops and rooftops.

"The height of the buildings mean they're a good viewing point for the falcons because they catch pigeons.

"They see the buildings as cliffs, lay their eggs there and then the young leave the nest as long as man doesn't interfere."

Staff at Gentleshaw Birds of Prey and Wildlife Centre, in Stone Road, Eccleshall, have taken in a couple of peregrine falcon casualties at their hospital in recent months and say they are becoming more common in towns and cities.

Director Jenny Morgan said: "Peregrine falcons are quite an unusual species for us to take in but we have had a few in the last year.

"Usually they like cliffs but nowadays you regularly get them in towns. Pigeons are their main source of food and in towns and cities there are usually quite a few of them around so they attract them.

"They will nest in buildings vaguely similar to cliff tops."

She added: "They are a beautiful bird and anyone who spots them should enjoy seeing them but not go near their nests.

"It is coming to the end of breeding season now so some chicks will have left and the rest will be getting ready to leave."