Bournemouth town centre peregrine falcons have chicks (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Bournemouth town centre peregrine falcons have chicks
3:00pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in News By
PROUD: David Wareham’s pictures showing a newly-fledged peregrine falcon at the top of the Bournemouth and Poole College clock tower at the Lansdowne in Bournemouth
THE peregrine falcons nesting in Bournemouth have raised at least three chicks.
Birdwatcher David Wareham took these photos of the fledglings exercising their wings at the weekend.
The parents have nested at the Bournemouth and Poole College clock tower by the Lansdowne roundabout for several years.
David, from Bournemouth’s East Cliff, said: “Both parent birds were active throughout, not only bringing in food for their young but driving off any marauding gulls which happened to venture too close to the tower.
“The adult male peregrine looked particularly proud as it watched over its offspring – a happy father’s day indeed.
“My wife, Rita, and I have been watching and monitoring these peregrines since 2008.
“We have been bird watchers for half a century, are both members of the RSPB, and I am a member of the Dorset Bird Club.”
Peregrine falcons are the fastest birds on earth, reaching speeds believed to be around 200mph as they dive down on to their prey in a ‘stoop’.
Huey says...
4:43pm Wed 20 Jun 12
They have chosen to stay for a while now, so they must like it.
Maybe the council can give them a salary as pigeon control experts.