PEREGRINE WATCH 2007                     

It was another successful year for the Avon Gorge Peregrines with three chicks fledged, two females and one male. On Thursday 7th June three well-grown chicks were observed in the nest and it was hoped that they would fledge over the coming weekend to coincide with our first Watch weekend. Plenty of activity by the adult birds was seen during the Saturday watch with several dramatic chases on passing pigeons culminating in a successful kill over the Gorge. During the afternoon it was reported that one juvenile had flown and by Sunday morning two had left the nest, leaving one female still to fledge. The adults kept close and continued to bring prey items across the Gorge to the juveniles.

By 23rd June, the second Watch weekend, all the juveniles had been flying for two weeks and during that time one female had paid a visit to the zoo and was photographed on top of the lion enclosure. Over the weekend the watchers and the many visitors to the site had fantastic views of the three juveniles perfecting their flying skills and interacting with each other and the parent birds when they brought in prey. At 17.30 on Sunday 24th it was reported in the log that all three youngsters were playing about in the air when one appeared to crash into the quarry opposite but had actually caught a pigeon - perhaps this was the first kill.

On 3rd July during a "Tuesday" visit the following was reported: Both adults and young showed well, allowing everyone to focus on them posing on trees opposite the viewpoint. Then the three young gave aerial displays, coming in quite close on occasions. One bird found a pigeon to chase until, much to its surprise, the pigeon turned on it! Finally, the young decided a couple of Gulls, which had been peacefully bobbing up and down on the river below, would make good target practice.

Many thanks to this year's watchers : Many thanks to those members who helped with the watch this year and to the many others who supported us by visiting the watch site. All were rewarded with some wonderful and exciting views of Peregrine Falcons.

©Bristol Ornithological Club MMVIII

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