Peregrine nest box installed
Loughborough Peregrine Project supported by Raptor Aid have installed a Peregrine Falcon nesting box on the top of the tower of All Saints Church in Loughborough.
An early start this morning to head over to All Saints with Holy Trinity, Loughborough to meet with Jimmi from Raptor Aid and Will from the Church to install the Peregrine nest platform. It was cold, but we enjoyed beautiful, frosty views across Loughborough whilst catching our breath after climbing up the ever narrowing, winding staircase of the Church tower.
A couple of hours later, the platform was built and in place, a quick trip to B&Q for some gravel (50kg which Will and Jimmi carried to the tower roof 🙌🙌), a few screws to install the sign and the camera and we were done.
To get to this stage has taken a couple of years of work with planning and permissions required. Advice has been sought and gratefully received from Peregrine experts and projects across the country. We are now in a really good place, a final push from Raptor Aid (who kindly donated the nest platform and Jimmi's knowledge and time) has got us over the line.
As much as it is a relief to finally get the platform in place. we're not done yet! There is a little bit of work to finish off the platform and to get the camera online. This is only phase one, we are now waiting to see if the birds like it and want to nest, it may not happen this year, it may not happen next......but you never know. We've been finding Peregrine pellets, bits of discarded prey and even some Peregrine feathers throughout the year, there were a couple more pellets this morning. The birds already visit and clearly quite like it, hopefully they'll now move in.
On Friday morning an unexpected call came from BBC East Midlands asking to carry out interviews for Radio Leicester and East Midlands Today.
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Peregrine nest box donated by Raptor Aid on top of All Saints Church Loughborough
Peregrine nesting platform install day
About Loughborough Peregrine Project
Our Mission
Our mission is to create a nesting site for urban Peregrine Falcons in Loughborough. We want to inspire the people of Loughborough and give them the opportunity to enjoy these magnificent birds on their own doorstep. A lasting legacy for the town to be proud of for many years to come.
Who We Are
Our Story
Our Story
Our Story
Loughborough Peregrine Project is built on the passion for providing a safe nesting location for these magnificent birds in our town. A pair tried to nest in 2022 but their nest failed due to the unsuitable nature of the location. This inspired me to work towards providing a safe location for future nests.
How?
Our Story
Our Story
We need to find a location that caters for the needs of the urban Peregrine.
- High up.
- Clear entry to the platform.
- Views over the hunting grounds.
The birds are already here!
When?
Our Story
When?
The nesting season runs from March - July. We want to put a platform in place as early as possible to allow the birds an opportunity to find it and return when it is time to nest.
The Plan in detail
Phase One
The first phase is to provide the infrastructure and the best opportunity to attract a pair of birds to use it. The emphasis being on getting it right first time to minimise the need to revisit the platform for anything other than routine maintenance.
- Install nesting platform on a structure within the town.
- Provide a camera to monitor behaviour.
- Create and embed all processes to ensure the birds are safe.
The success of phase one will determine the pathway.
Phase Two
Phase two will proceed when and if the nesting platform attracts a pair of birds, this may not be in year two.
- Maintain the nest platform.
- Install a 4K camera to stream to YouTube.
- Record behaviour and report on a blog.
Phase two will require a ramping up of volunteer recruitment.
Phase Three
The third phase will proceed when we have an established breeding pair.
- Provide local schools with a 'Peregrine box' containing materials that can be used to assist in providing lessons for children to learn about the birds.
- Viewing sessions to encourage people to visit and view the birds on certain days of the year. Provide binoculars and scopes bringing about a community spirit and allow people who may not normally be interested or have the equipment to view the birds.
- Talks about the birds using the previous seasons success, failures and future plans as a backdrop for future projects in the town.
Phase three dovetails the work put in and brings the Peregrines to the fore in Loughborough, becoming a talking point and nesting season an exciting yearly landmark.