Wildlife

Peregrine Falcon Welfare and Persecution

Peregrine falcons recovered from pesticide near-extinction but now face nest disturbance, shooting, and poisoning — welfare interventions focus on protecting nesting pairs during the critical breeding season.

Key Facts

Peregrine populations crashed by 80% due to DDT before the 1970s ban
UK population has recovered to around 1,700 breeding pairs
Illegal disturbance of nesting peregrines causes egg and chick abandonment
Racing pigeon interests have historically driven illegal persecution
Peregrines are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Welfare Considerations

Nest disturbance during breeding causes chick death through exposure and starvation. Shooting causes acute injury and death. Poisoned bait at nest sites causes agonising death in adults and starvation of dependent chicks. Persecution is concentrated in areas with high pheasant shooting or pigeon racing activity. Nest monitoring by volunteers provides both welfare protection and deterrence.

What You Can Do

Report nest disturbance or persecution to the RSPB or police
Support Raptor Persecution UK monitoring and reporting
Advocate against pheasant poult protection orders that allow raptor disturbance
Join local raptor study groups to provide nest monitoring support