Peregrine Falcon Welfare and Urban Nesting Management

Peregrines have successfully colonised urban areas across the UK, nesting on tall buildings, cathedrals, and bridges. Urban nest management requires balancing public engagement with minimal disturbance to breeding pairs.

Key Facts

The UK peregrine population has recovered from persecution lows to over 1,600 pairs
Urban nesting has become increasingly common since the 1990s, exploiting pigeon prey
Derby Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, and many other urban sites now host webcam-monitored nests
Urban peregrines face novel welfare challenges including vehicle collision and pigeon anticoagulant secondary poisoning
Nest boxes provided on tall buildings by wildlife groups have created additional urban nesting sites

Welfare Considerations

Urban peregrines that consume pigeons that have been exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides suffer secondary poisoning causing internal haemorrhage. This is an emerging welfare concern in cities where rodenticide use is high. Webcam monitoring of popular urban nest sites creates public engagement value but must be balanced against disturbance from maintenance activities and viewing access. Individual nest site management decisions have disproportionate welfare significance for these high-profile urban birds.

What You Can Do

Support local peregrine watch groups that monitor urban nesting sites
Advocate for restriction of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide use in urban areas
Donate to BTO tracking studies of urban peregrine movement and mortality
Watch urban peregrine webcams from home rather than approaching nest buildings
Report urban peregrine casualties to RSPCA for rehabilitation and poisoning investigation