Keep an eagle eye out for falcons

CALL of the wild . . . Tessa King looks out for the peregrine falcons

A PAIR of peregrine falcons is set to be one of the big attractions for visitors to Dovestone reservoir this summer.

From Saturday, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) staff and volunteers will be manning a special viewpoint kitted out with powerful telescopes and binoculars so visitors can watch the spectacular birds of prey in all their glory.

With its craggy rock outcrops and secluded ledges, Dovestone is a perfect spot for peregrines to nest. Generations of the birds have been resident at the site for at least 15 years.

Dave O’Hara, Dovestone site manager, said: “The wild beauty is a perfect setting to watch these magnificent birds in action.

“The female is currently incubating her eggs so, hopefully, we will be able to see new chicks soon.”

Besides these speedy birds of prey, there is a range of other wildlife to enjoy around the area.

Visitors to the Greenfield reservoir can expect to hear the bubbling calls of curlews and the plaintive whistle of golden plovers.

And people who look carefully in the streams that feed into the reservoir might even spot a water vole.

The peregrine viewpoint is near the picnic area at Ashway Gap and is staffed every Thursday to Sunday, 11am-4.30pm, weather permitting, until August 30.

The project is run as part of the RSPB’s Date with Nature programme of events, which make rare and spectacular birds accessible for everyone to see.

It is supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The RSPB scotched rumours that it was to introduce birds of prey into areas surrounding Dovestone reservoir, amid fears such plans would decimate smaller species. These peregrines are not new to the area, and have been resident at Dovestone for at least 15 years.


Peregrine factfile
The largest British breeding falcon, measuring up to 48in long with a wingspan up to 43in.

The female is considerably larger than the male.

The bird’s upper parts are dark blue-grey, and the underside is pale with fine, dark bars. The head has a black ‘hood’ with black moustache-like markings on the face. Juvenile birds are browner and heavily streaked below.

Peregrines typically pair for several years and may live for up to 10 years — the oldest on record was 15 years and 6 months.

Both adult birds tend the young, which take their first flight after 6 weeks.

They feed on medium-sized birds, which they catch in speedy aerial stoops.

Peregrine numbers crashed in the 1960s due to the impact of pesticides, and have now increased to around 1,300 breeding pairs in the UK.