| Peregrines return to Devon quarry | |
|  | | Cann Quarry has become a regular nesting spot |
| | A 24-hour guard has been mounted to keep watch on a pair of peregrine falcons. The birds have chosen to return to Plym Bridge Woods to nest despite previous attempts on their lives and those of their chicks. |
| | | A pair of rare peregrine falcons has once again returned to a Devon quarry to breed.
The birds have successfully reared three chicks under the watchful eye of RSPB and National Trust minders.
The three chicks are now taken flight after being lured off the nest ledge by the adult female with food. All three of the young birds appear to be female.
| The birds have now left the nest and are no longer in regular view of the live webcam |
Hundreds of people have visited Plym Bridge Woods, near Plymouth, to see the peregrines rear three young chicks.
Over the coming weeks the young will be taught to hunt by the parents and this behaviour can be witnessed from Cann viaduct.
As expected, the peregrines returned to their nesting site at Cann Quarry, where this year four eggs were laid. Three chicks were hatched successfully.
For the first time, viewers on the internet have been able to keep watch on the nest via a live webcam.
The National Trust, in conjunction with RSPB, has organised a 24-hour peregrine monitoring scheme.
 | | Keeping watch on the peregrines |
A team of dedicated bird watchers has been manning the viaduct overlooking the quarry with telescopes and binoculars, ensuring that the birds come to no harm.
Previously, falcons nesting in the quarry have been poisoned.
In 2000 an adult female and two young chicks died after pigeons baited with an agricultural pesticide were left at the quarry.
The police suspect pigeon fanciers, trying to protect their birds from becoming prey.
"They were persecuted in the past but over the last couple of years we've been successful in protecting them, said National Trust Warden Gus Ferguson.
"We have a large group of people who are all rooting for the birds and are willing to put their time in to make sure they breed successfully."
 | | A peregrine falcon on the quarry face |
Last year around 5,000 people visited the quarry to look at the birds at close quarters.
"It's quite unusual they have come back to precisely the same spot as last year," said Reg Fairbairn, the Plym Bridge Peregrine Warden.
"A peregrine falcon will usually pick a different nest site, but this year they've come back to the exact same nest so they must feel particularly secure," he said.
Over the next few months even more interest is expected from people visiting both Plym Woods and the Plym Peregrines website.
WEBCAM: The birds have now left the nest and are no longer in regular view of the webcam.
You will need Windows Media Player to see the live pictures.
Photographs courtesy of the RSPB
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