A PAIR of peregrine falcons who are nesting on a rocky outcrop on Beeston Castle’s clifftop are the subject of huge attention from birdwatchers and conservationists.
Cheshire Police will be monitoring the peregrines’ every move for the next two months as volunteers try to help raise a clutch of peregrine chicks.
The peregrine watch is the subject of a Cheshire Police wildlife operation.
Beeston Castle’s visitor operations manager, Mark Hodgson, said: “We’ve had peregrines successfully nesting and breeding at Beeston Castle for many years, but sadly, some thieves broke into the castle one evening shortly after the eggs hatched last year, abseiled down the outer wall and took the chicks.”
“This year, they will not have that chance, as we’ve got one camera trained on the nest, and should have a second camera up and running shortly, too.
“We’ve also got volunteers watching the nest site from down below. The peregrines may have lost their privacy, but they will have a chance to raise their chicks largely unhampered by humans this year!”
The Beeston Peregrine Watch is being co-ordinated by Bernard Wright of the Broxton Barn Owl Group, in association with English Heritage and the RSPB. Cheshire Police is supporting the initiative, and will respond to any sign of untoward tampering with the eggs or chicks.
“We only have a handful of breeding peregrine pairs in the county, so last year’s theft was a tragedy,” says Bernard.
“When chicks were taken from the nest in 1992, we set up a successful Peregrine Watch the following year, and had no problems until last year.
Anyone interested in joining the Peregrine Watch should contact Bernard Wright on 01829 782243.
