UK Wildlife

Peregrine Urban Breeding and Recovery

The peregrine is the world's fastest animal, reaching over 300km/h in a hunting dive, and has spectacularly recovered from DDT poisoning to colonise urban buildings across the UK.

Key Facts

Peregrine reaches over 320km/h in a hunting stoop - the fastest animal on earth
UK peregrine population recovered from just 400 pairs in 1960s to over 1,500 today
Colonised urban buildings from Edinburgh to London, nesting on cathedrals and tower blocks
DDT poisoning through contaminated prey caused eggshell thinning and breeding failure
Preys mainly on medium-sized birds caught in aerial pursuit or stoops

Welfare Considerations

Peregrine recovery is one of the greatest wildlife success stories, driven by the DDT ban and reduced illegal persecution. Urban nest sites attract public attention and require management. Illegal persecution still occurs in some areas, particularly in relation to pigeon racing.

What You Can Do

Support urban peregrine nest monitoring and viewing programmes in cities
Report suspected illegal peregrine persecution to police wildlife crime officers
Celebrate peregrine as the supreme example of wildlife recovery through legal protection