resulted in infertile eggs. Happily more enlightened game keeping and the banning of pesticides have enabled numbers of this fantastically agile hunter to increase to about 40,000 breeding pairs. I saw two sparrowhawks at two different sites the other day, a female soaring high in the sky over a wood and a male flashing past a friend’s bird table.
Another bird of prey that you may see locally is the peregrine falcon. Populations of this fabulous bird have increased to the point that there is fierce competition for inland nest sites, to the extent that birds now nest on buildings in our cities. They seem to like churches and cathedrals and I have watched them in Exeter, Worcester and in London. You don’t have to go that far though, as the wardened site in Plymbridge Woods gives excellent views through telescopes that are available free to the public. This site is easily accessed by walking northwards up the disused railway line away from the car park by the bridge.
A webcam on a peregrine nest at Derby cathedral is already up and running as is one in the New Forest.
Peregrine Falcon
To access either make an internet search using the keywords ‘peregine webcam Derby’ or ‘goshawk nest webcam New Forest 2010’. There are three eggs in the peregrine nest box and possibly two eggs in the goshawk nest. Like any wildlife watching one has to be patient and lucky to
get the best views, but webcam viewing can be amazingly addictive.
If you would like to share your unusual sightings or have any bird-related queries, please contact Martin c/o the Diary. Tel: 01822 610575 or email:the-
diary@hotmail.co.uk
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