Peregrine falcons
Peregrine falcons have around 90 nesting sites in Cumbria, particularly in the west and south of the county. As the Lake District boasts the highest mountains in England, the fells support a wide variety of birds associated with mountain environments. Peregrines can be found around both inland and coastal cliffs.Peregrines are specialist predators of medium sized birds such as pigeons, which they catch in a high speed chase. Sometimes they catch their prey in a power-dive called a stoop, during which they can reach speeds of over 180 mph, making the peregrine the fastest living thing on the planet.
Peregrines are a real conservation success story, during the 1970's the Cumbrian population was down to only three pairs, due to the impact of pesticides in their diet. With the banning of the pesticides, their population has recovered to the levels we see today, making Cumbria one of the best places in the world to see these spectacular birds.
Peregrines regularly breed on the nature reserve at Humphrey Head near Grange-over-Sands. For more information visit http://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/humphrey-head.html
(Image copyright Sue Tranter rspb-images.com)
Peregrine falcons can be seen in August.
View our sightings page to find local photographs.
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