Peregrine falcon chicks take to the skies over the Avon Gorge
The Avon Gorge’s newest residents are taking to the skies to explore their new surroundings.
Five peregrine falcon chicks have recently fledged from their cliff side nest in the Avon Gorge and can be seen swooping through the air above the Gorge and the Downs, as they perfect their aerial skills.
This year is the 20th anniversary of peregrine falcons breeding in the Gorge and now is the best time to view the birds as they can be seen screeching and wheeling through the air.
Ben Garrod, Education Officer for the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project said: “Having peregrine falcons right here on the edge of the Downs is great. You can turn up right now, wait a while and, with a bit of luck, you’ll be rewarded with several of the chicks flying right over your head.
“They’re noisy, boisterous and inquisitive but they’re also majestic, agile and above all beautiful – we’re so lucky to have our own peregrines in Bristol and if you’ve not been up to see them yet, then now’s the best time to come along.”
Kate Atwell, Overseer of Birds at Bristol Zoo Gardens, helped local peregrine expert Ed Drewitt ring the five chicks,under licence from Natural England,before they fledged.
Kate said: “Ringing the birds is important because it allows us to identify them so that we can track their movements and record their survival rates, breeding and life expectancy. Peregrine falcons are amazing birds; they are the fastest animal in the world, with the ability to fly at speeds of up to 200mph. Having the chance to view these birds on our doorstep is an opportunity not to be missed.”
The young birds are keeping their parents busy and are constantly on the lookout for food.
As part of their ‘training’, the parents give the food to their offspring in mid air, a manoeuvre known as a ‘food pass’.
The best place the view the birds is from the Peregrine Watch Point on the Downs; take binoculars, listen out for the telltale screeching of the young and look for the distinct shape of the peregrines’ scythe-like wings.
The Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project produces various leaflets which can be picked up at the Downs Tea Room. Some, such as ‘Peregrines in the Avon Gorge’, (produced in conjunction with the Bristol Ornithological Club) and the ‘Downs’ Bird Trail’, give details of the best spots to view the birds.
To order a copy of either leaflet, or for the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events programme, call Mandy Leivers or Ben Garrod on 0117 903 0609 . Alternatively visit the website www.avongorge.org.uk
ENDS
For more information please contact Bristol Zoo’s press office:
Lucy Parkinson, T: 0117 974 7306, or email: lparkinson@bristolzoo.org.uk
Vanessa Hollier, T: 0117 974 7309, email: vhollier@bristolzoo.org.uk
or call Mandy Leivers or Ben Garrod from the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project: 0117 903 0609.
Notes to the Editor:
Peregrines: The Facts
- Peregrine falcons can fly at over 200mph, making them the fastest animals on the planet.
- The peregrine falcon is the largest British breeding falcon. It is 38-48cm long, with a wingspan of 95-110cm.
- The female (the falcon) is considerably larger than the male (the tiercel).
- Numbers of peregrine falcons dropped in the 1950s-60s because of pesticides and persecution. Now, their numbers have increased to around 13,000 breeding pairs in the UK.
- The peregrine falcon is a highly protected species and is safeguarded by various national and international laws.
- In the twenty years since 1990, the Avon Gorge peregrine falcons have successfully fledged 54 chicks.
- Peregrine falcons prey on other birds and need between 1-2 medium-sized birds each day.
- Recently, peregrine falcons have been observed using streetlights to hunt at night, catching unwary birds migrating through towns.
BristolZoo Gardens
- BristolZoo Gardensis an education and conservation charity and relies on the income from visitors to support its work.
- Throughout 2010 Bristol Zoo will be running a series of events to highlight the importance of conserving the world’s biodiversity, as part of the international Year of Biodiversity. For more information visit the Zoo website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk/about/conservation/campaigns/iyob
- To find out more about the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity visit the website at www.biodiversityislife.net
- Bristol Zoo is open from 9am every day except Christmas Day.
- The Zoo is involved with more than 100 co-ordinated breeding programmes for threatened wildlife species.
- Itemploys 140 full and part-time staff to care for the animals and run a successful visitor attraction to support its conservation and education work.
- BristolZoo Gardens supports – through finance and skill sharing - 15 projects in the UK and abroad that conserveand protectsome of the world’s most endangered species.
- BristolZoo Gardensis a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums. BIAZA represents more than 90 member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.
Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project
- The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is a partnership of Bristol Zoo Gardens, Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, Bristol City Council, Natural England, the Downs Committee, the University of Bristol and the Society of Merchant Venturers.
- The Project is also working with the National Trust which manages part of Leigh Woods on the North Somerset side of the Gorge.
- The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project is working to secure the outstanding wildlife interest of the Bristol side of the Avon Gorge and Clifton and Durdham Downs and to raise awareness and understanding of this unique location and its importance for people and wildlife.
- Details of other Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project events can be found at www.avongorge.org.uk
All photos have been taken by (and should be credited to) Denice Stout of the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project.
All photos are the property of the project and must not be used for any purposes outside of this press release without prior permission.
