Peregrines used to breed in the Avon Gorge many years ago but along with many other species of birds of prey, they went into sharp decline due to the impact of harmful pesticides in the food chain. The situation recovered in the 1970’s and breeding Peregrines returned to the gorge in 1990. The Club has organised and led breeding watches of these birds since 1991. This year we are celebrating twenty years of the Peregrines returning to and breeding in the Avon Gorge.

 

2010

The Peregrine chicks in the Avon Gorge were ringed in mid-May. There are five chicks which is unusual for Peregrines, although a brood of five was also recorded at this site in 2008. When a female lays a clutch of five eggs, it is common for her to repeat this in future years. The chicks were colour ringed BS, BT, BV, BX and BY. They were all healthy, even weights and looked to all be female. Hopefully the chicks will all survive - with five to feed it's always possible one or two may not survive. The event was filmed for the BBC's Springwatch and appeared on our screens at the beginning of June. You can re-watch the film here.

All five chicks have fledged successfully and the family of seven birds can be seen over the Avon Gorge most days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peregrine Watch

The Club's Peregrine Watches took place on the weekends of the 5/6 June and the 19/20 June 2010. They will return again in 2011.

Meanwhile, you can still visit Clifton Downs to see the Peregrines. For location details click here: Peregrine Watch Location. Peregrines will be displaying throughout March followed by egg laying at the end of March. The chicks will be hatching at the beginning of May and will leave the nest around the middle of June.

Click here to view our new peregrine leaflet produced by the BOC and the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project.