Peregrine
falcon fledgling rescued in Huddersfield town centre
By
16:40, 18
JUN 2019
A
fledgling Peregrine Falcon is lucky to be alive after it was found being
attacked by crows in Huddersfield town
centre.
The bird
was found in a Northumberland Street car park today (Mon) by a member of staff
being mobbed by crows.
Roger
Underwood, director of insurance brokers, Eastwood & Partners Ltd, said:
"These are very rare birds which have only recently started to nest in
town centres.
"We
have had it rescued and arranged for it to be rehabilitated."
The
falcon may be the same one which Grahame Andrews, of Bosuns Brewery,
Huddersfield, discovered recently.
A
wildlife enthusiast, he said: "I spotted it being fed at an old mill by
its parents. It was making a right racket, you've never heard a noise quite
like it.
"I
hope they breed successfully and come back next year."
Peregrines
are renowned for their incredible speed making the species the fastest bird in
the world and capable of reaching 200mph when they dive onto their hapless
prey.
However,
there are only 1,500 pairs in the UK and their numbers reached a low point in
the 1960s due to human persecution and the impact of pesticides in the food
chain.
However,
since those dark days improved legislation and protection has helped the birds
to recover and they are now seen occasionally in many urban areas.
Sadly,
they are still persecuted with birds being illegally killed to prevent
predation on game birds and racing pigeons.
In
addition their eggs and chicks are taken for collections and falconry.
They feed
on medium-sized birds, such as pigeons and small ducks.
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