Birds of prey hunt from top of former city centre cinema

A pair of peregrine falcons have found the perfect new perch for hunting - 200 ft (65m) above Glasgow at the former Cineworld building.

Bonnie and Clyde, birds of prey known for nesting in a tower at the University of Glasgow, were spotted prowling the roof of the Renfrew Street building during the first two weeks of January.

The birds have been monitored by the Glasgow Peregrine Project led by the Scottish Ornithologists' Club, the University of Glasgow and RSPB Scotland since 2022.

Clyde area bird recorder John Simpson said the former cinema was a great spot for the pair and that female, Bonnie, was a "formidable force" that dominates the city skies.

He told BBC Scotland News: "The old Cineworld building is one of the busiest spots in the city and there is shelter from the wind and rain.

"Any pigeon flying past can be easily caught without much effort from the peregrines.

"Bonnie is six-and-a-half years old now and in her prime. She is formidable and the most dominant predator in Glasgow.

"Eagles and buzzards will come into the city and even though they are bigger than her - they are no match."

Peregrines are the UK's biggest falcon. They have a white throat and cheeks, with a dark mask and moustache-style marking.

"They have a variety of hunting techniques and are the most advanced avian hunter," Simpson added.

"Peregrines have membranes over their eyes that act as safety goggles to keep any bugs out, as they fold their wings in and fall vertically at 200 miles an hour like a missile.

"The whole family used to hunt at the Cineworld but Victor left the nest over new year so it is just Bonnie and Clyde now," he said.

They parent birds were named in reference to the phrase "Bonnie Scotland" and for the River Clyde - as well as the notorious crime duo.

The pair had chicks last spring named Jack and Victor from Still Game but sadly Jack died over summer while Victor was late to leave the nest, finally taking the jump at the end of 2025.

Glasgow's Cineworld closed in September 2025 after the site was acquired by Clydebankbridge Ltd, a subsidiary of Irish cinema chain Omniplex.

It is set to reopen as an Omniplex in the middle of 2026.

When the Renfrew Street building opened in 2001, under the branding of UGC, it was claimed to be the world's tallest cinema. Cineworld took over UGC's operations in 2005.