Both birds present today. I saw 1 mating effort take place. A request for all Rochdale birders to be vigilant( and other GM birders). Whilst taking sdome pics of the birds a middle aged male came up to me. His opening gambit was "these things ate one of my racers yesterday." I tried to explain that they not only eat racers but a whole host of other birds. He said he would take action and kill the birds. I told him that he would be committing a serious offence and he may get 6 months in prison if he did in fact kill a protected sch 1 bird. His wife was with him and he tried to enter into a pissing competion with me. He puffed up his chest- like one of his pigeons and said he would be watching them carefully.As though it may mean something to someone from Rochdale he then said " I'm Jacko". I asked for his first name but he didn't answer. He repeated his threat to harm the birds. I then produced my warrant card and identified myself as a police officer explaining that I used to be a wildlife liaison officer. I made sure he understood the serious nature of what he was threatening and his pissing comp can to an abrupt dribble. He wandered off muttering that if there was a war on they would be killed anyway!. I didn't have the heart to tell him we now use more secure ways of sending messages to our fighting troops half way around the world. Anyway, keep your eyes and ears open and any more info on" Jacko" can be passed to me just in case any harm befalls the birds.
A magpie just escaped by the skin of his beak. He had the audacity to fly onto the top of the tower only to be attacked x the female. Good flying skills and keeping close to the building saved him

-- Edited by Ivan Ellison on Tuesday 6th of March 2012 08:57:21 PM

Sightings are intermittent now from College Bank but one was feeding on a ledge this morning. Couldn't be sure of sex because no size comparison and viewing sideways on, but may have been male. Last sighting two weeks ago was definitely female.

One day last week, both sitting together on top shelf right (from College Bank) facing me. Looked later and one had turned its back. Later again both had turned their backs. Must have been something I said!!

spent an hour here 4.45- 5.45pm
just 3 peregrines about all juvenilles, 2 on the town hall & 1 on the bus station building. no signs off the others.

They are spending less time on the town hall now, but I still see them in the evening coming in to feed and roost. I would say very early in the morn or after 6pm.

went to see these peregrines for the first time today,been told you get really good views and now i know what i have been missing out on excellent views and some good pics too. both adults came in with kills (never seen that before) female with 2 juveniles and male with 1 juvenile whilst they were feeding for themselves, not sure where the fourth was at the time sure it was there somewhere. really good views off them flying overhead,awesome be back soon. thank you to roy, jill & ella.

Sorry ignore original typos caused by fat fingers on small keypad on the phone, cant edit from phone and fat fingers and predictive text keep catching me out

-- Edited by Dennis atherton on Thursday 23rd of June 2011 09:36:49 PM

The bird in question is a juvenile and fortunately was only concussed. The bird was re released on the town hall roof 10am today. So far so good. Many thanks to Judith for her great work.

There was a peregrine found by the public in Rochdale town centre at about 9pm last night. The bird may have had a broken neck but was taken to Pet Medics. I've spoken to them who inform me that the bird was taken by a Barbara Royle who treats birds of prey. Pet medics could not tell me if it was a young bird or whether it was ringed. I'll try and find out more.!!

5.00 pm saturday
saw 1 parent plucking kill on one side of tower , then flying round carpark with plucked bird ,then taking it to the chicks.
also saw chicks flapping wings before adult arrived.
steve

For the next few Fridays, the RSPB are doing a Date with Nature on The Butts. There was quite a bit of interest yesterday, and of course with the telescope, great views.

Wrong, I've now seen three chicks. I'll try and see if there's a fourth when mum & dad come back to the nest - presumably with some grub.

I hope this lot don't try and get out of the box like the Manchester chicks, bit of a slide/drop and no easy way back in.

Watch started at 17:45. Female sat on the edge of the tray preening before flying off. Flew right over my position low down (great views) before making a serious attempt at a passing Mallard (near miss). Both adults flew back to the Town Hall and sat for some time watching the nest. In total female left chick/s at the nest for 40 minutes. Both birds took off again and returned with prey. Female feeding young. Occasional glimpse of a chick whilst feeding. Female flew off with remainder of prey and was not back when watch ended 19:15.

Called up this morning at 09:15. Female already had prey item on arrival and her behaviour was consistent with feeding young. Hard to be conclusive as she was stood with her back facing our position yet her head was down the whole time. After 5 minutes or so she settled back down and remained that way until watch ended approx 10:15.

Been watching them on and off over the past few weeks. April 23rd there were 4 peregrines flying low around the tower/car park area chasing and calling. Are these last years young joining the breeding pair or are there 2 pairs in the area?

Popped along on the way back from Healey Dell and was just in time to see one of the birds (presumably the male) flying around the town centre enjoying the thermals.

Answered my own questions (by observation) - unfortunately when the female settles right down in the nest tray (she just got in @1:25 and has been there for 20 mins) I can't see her, and I've now seen both in the same view so can see the size differential. The male is happily sitting on one of his favouite perches - the gargoyle (actually it's a water spout/drain) above and to the right.

Seeing both regularly from College Bank but I viewed from the rear of the church yesterday (29th) 11.40am and also saw the female on the edge of the tray.

Yesterday I watched as the male disappeared out of sight into a cloud. Then he dived back to the Town Hall at incredible speed and they mated. She must have been impressed! Today at about 5.15 she perched on the tray for a few minutes.

Interested in Ivan's post. I have a scope permanently on the tower from College Bank flats and usually see at least one bird each day. This is on the rear of the tower, not the nest site. This has been true all over winter. Female on show as I write. Too far away, though, to see any rings. Has anyone else seen more than the regular pair?

Watched both birds on town hall today and took some flight pics. The male is a different bird this year as it is unringed on both legs, unless the regular male was away and this was an interloper trying his luck.

10.45 pair on view from College Bank.

Sorry, male on top shelf!

27th December one bird visible on shelf before top spire from College Bank flats. Spotted at day break, still there at 9.55.