Happy Again

Today's Blip, not the best I have taken! is of a Peregrine Falcon in flight. I took advantage of Southern Trains on-line offer of 27% off any advance booked fare and went down to Chichester. I knew that Peregrines have succesfully bred at their nest site atop of the Cathedral in Chichester and was only expecting a fleeting glimpse. After about 20 Minutes, first the male took to the air, followed about 15 minutes later by the female, leaving the 4 chicks on in the nest, they are big enough now not to need their parents in constant attention. Both parent birds then flew off towards Chichester Harbour - The all Hell broke lose! Firstly a Buzzard just drifting by was soon set upon by both parent Peregrines after about 5 minutes of aerial jousting the Buzzard got the message that he wasn't welcome and flew off only to be replaced by a third Peregrine, who according to the RSPB guys, has been trying his luck over the past couple of days in trying to take over the territory, but again his luck was out as he was given short shrift by the resident male.

The two resident birs have bred succesfully for 11 years now raising 38 chicks from 40 eggs laid, it is believed that the female is the most succesful breeding Peregrine Falcon anywhere in the World.

If anyone is in the Chichester area I would reccomend a visit to the Cathedral to see these magnificent birds. The RSPB have set up a special Peregrine watch area in the Cloisters cafe and will be there until the chicks fledge in about 3 weeks time - It is free to enter.