Wildlife

Wild Peregrine Pesticide Residue Monitoring

Ongoing pesticide residue monitoring in peregrines provides early warning of chemical welfare threats to the UK's top bird predator.

Key Facts

Peregrines bioaccumulate contaminants from their prey making them sentinel species for environmental pollution
Legacy DDT metabolites still detectable in peregrine eggs decades after ban
New pesticides including anticoagulant rodenticides now detected in peregrine tissues
Persistent organic pollutants impair reproduction and cause embryo mortality

Welfare Considerations

Peregrines accumulating pesticide residues experience reproductive failure and potentially neurological welfare effects. Ongoing monitoring through programmes like the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme provides essential early warning of emerging chemical welfare threats before population effects become severe.

What You Can Do

Support Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme funding and data collection
Avoid using persistent pesticides with bioaccumulation potential
Advocate for stronger regulation of environmental persistence in pesticide approval