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Acknowledgements

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

1.    Aims

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.

2.    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.

3.    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. Poisoning from organochlorine pesticides such as DDT was the primary cause of these declines, but there are now around 2000 pairs in the UK – probably an all-time high.

Largely a cliff-nesting species throughout its world range, peregrines readily take to nesting on large buildings in urban areas, notably in New York but also in many other North American and European cities. In the UK, peregrines nest on bridges, gasometers, pylons and buildings, including a nest box on a tower block in Brighton.

In London, the peregrine has always been a scarce passage migrant and winter visitor, with records increasing in recent years. The inner Thames marshes are an important feeding area for visiting peregrines in winter. Peregrines have been recorded mainly in the following boroughs: Wandsworth, Southwark, Havering, Newham, City of London, Sutton, Richmond, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Islington and Camden.

Although there are unconfirmed reports of nesting on St Paul’s cathedral in the 1860s, the pair that fledged two young on the derelict Spillers Millennium Mills building in the Royal Docks in 1998 are probably the first to breed in London. This site has not been used for nesting since, although peregrines occasionally roost there. In recent years single birds and pairs have frequented Beddington Farmlands (Sutton); the Wetland Centre, Barnes; Bankside Power Station (now Tate Modern) and the nearby Kings Reach Tower, though no nesting has been recorded. However, Battersea Power Station was home to a successful pair in 2000, with at least one young fledged. Just outside Greater London, a pair has nested for the last four years on Littlebrook Power Station, Dartford. They were successful for the first time in 2000, fledging two young.

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 whether for egg collecting or falconry, or to prevent perceived losses of game birds or racing pigeons. Although such persecution is less likely in urban areas, security is an important consideration where selecting a location for a nest box.

4.3    Food

Food is plentiful in London, where feral pigeons are abundant year-round and teal and black-headed gulls common in winter.

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 is undertaking a national survey of the species (2001).

5.2.2 Nest box provision

Nest boxes have been provided on buildings frequented by peregrines in several places in the UK, including Littlebrook Power Station, just outside London.

5.2.3 Research

The Hawk and Owl Trust are undertaking research on the foraging ecology of peregrines by analysis of prey remains from around nest sites and feeding posts.

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.

Objective 1 Create new nesting opportunities for peregrines in London

Target: 5 nest boxes in suitable locations by 2004.

 

Action

Target Date

Lead

Other Partners

Contact owners of all buildings where peregrines are behaving territorially to install nest boxes

2001 and as required

EN

GLA, LWT, RSPB, LA

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

2001 and as required

EN

GLA, LWT, LA

Ensure appropriate contacts in buildings where peregrines nest are aware what to do if young birds are stranded

2001 and ongoing

EN

LA

Establish a London Raptor Study Group to co-ordinate monitoring of peregrines and other birds of prey in London

2001

EN

LNHS, BTO, H&OT

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

2001

BTO

Raptor Study Group, EN, LNHS

Contact owners and managers of other suitable buildings in appropriate locations and encourage to install nest boxes

2002

EN

LA, GLA

Objective 2 Raise awareness of peregrines nesting in the city.

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

 

Action

Target Date

Lead

Other Partners

Establish a web-cam to view nest boxes

Once established

EN

RSPB, WWT

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

Once established

EN

Raptor Study Group

 

Relevant Action Plans

London Plans

Tidal Thames; Grazing marsh and Floodplain Grassland.

National Plans

Urban Habitat Statement.

Key References

Fitter, RSR (1949). London’s Birds, Collins.

Ratcliffe, DA (1980). The Peregrine Falcon, Poyser.

Abbreviations

BTO - British Trust for Ornithology
EN - English Nature
GLA - Greater London Authority
H&OT - Hawk & Owl Trust
LA – Local Authorities

LWT - London Wildlife Trust
LNHS - London Natural History Society
RSPB - Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
WWT – Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

Contact

The Lead for this species is English Nature.

Peter Massini
English Nature
Ormond House
26-27 Boswell St
London WC1N 3JZ

Tel 020 7831 6922
Email [email protected]
web www.english-nature.org.uk

peregrine falcon © Andy Fisher

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