![]() ![]() ![]() 'Peregrines nest on over 200 urban or manmade locations across the country today,' says Ed. Food supply is one factor that attracts the predators to the lowlands, while in the uplands there is continued persecution by humans, particularly around grouse moors. The survey found that peregrine falcons were faring much better in urban and coastal situations than in the hills. 'Peregrines began moving into our cities during the 1990s after their populations recovered from decades of decline from persecution and the effects of pesticides in the countryside,' explains naturalist and author Ed Drewitt, who is currently researching peregrine falcons for a PhD at the University of Bristol.Ī total of 1,769 breeding pairs were estimated across the UK by the British Trust for Ornithology's (BTO) peregrine survey in 2014 (see the PDF). Traditionally, the birds kept away from humans, but they've been getting closer in the last few decades. Peregrine falcons ( Falco peregrinus) are famously capable of reaching speeds of around 320 kilometres per hour as they dive or 'stoop' to catch their prey. ![]()
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