Peregrine Falcon Urban Recovery: Welfare and Conservation

An evidence-based guide to the remarkable urban recovery of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) in the UK, including welfare challenges in city environments.

Key Facts

Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) were reduced to just 347 pairs in the UK by 1963 through persecution and DDT contamination — they have now recovered to over 1,900 pairs, with urban populations becoming established in most UK cities.
Urban peregrines nest on tall buildings, cathedrals, and bridges — they experience unique welfare challenges including: fledgling falls during first flights, glass strike risk, and prey contaminated with rodenticides.
Fledgling peregrines that crash-land in urban areas during their first flight attempts are vulnerable to traffic, cats, and starvation — monitoring teams (RSPB Peregrine Protection volunteers) provide rescue and support.
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) accumulate in urban prey (feral pigeons, starlings that have fed on poisoned rodents) and cause secondary poisoning in peregrines.
Peregrine falcons are Schedule 1 protected — their nest sites are protected from disturbance; some cathedral and building sites have live webcams allowing public observation without disturbance.
Urban peregrines face persecution from racing pigeon keepers — illegal shooting and poisoning of urban peregrines continues; this is a serious welfare and conservation crime.
The Hawk and Owl Trust and local Wildlife Trusts coordinate peregrine monitoring and fledgling support programs in UK cities — volunteer networks are critical to this work.

Welfare Considerations

Urban peregrines are a conservation triumph and a daily wildlife spectacle for millions of city dwellers. Their welfare depends on reducing SGAR rodenticide use, protecting nest sites from disturbance, and providing fledgling support during the dangerous first-flight period. Report injured peregrines to the RSPCA and suspected persecution to the police wildlife crime unit.

What You Can Do

Report injured peregrines to the RSPCA (0300 1234 999) or your local peregrine monitoring group
Advocate against SGAR rodenticide use in urban environments to reduce secondary poisoning risk
Report suspected persecution or nest disturbance to the police wildlife crime unit
Support local peregrine fledgling monitoring groups through the RSPB or Hawk and Owl Trust