FALCO Ecology was asked to provide expert advice on peregrine ecology for a development project. We have been working closely with the principal ecological consultant and principal contractor. Our aim was to provide measures that would minimise the potential for construction disturbance during the nesting period.
One of these measures was to make and install a custom made nest box. Thankfully the front plate was not required and this has allowed full camera view into the box. We also installed a Spypoint Link-S 3g cellular trail camera in front of the nesting box. Picture are upload via an app straight to our mobiles which allows us to monitor bird behaviour with construction operations to identify potential disturbance activities and therefore stop these operations to safeguard the peregrines.
It was looking like there was going to be no breeding at the site this year as many other peregrines have been laying eggs. A few days ago we had a few images of peregrines inspecting the nesting box. Then today both male and female have made several trips into the box and the male has been calling his partner to join him. This evening the female brought prey to the nesting box and eat then cached it in the corner of the nesting box.
We are now producing a detailed Toolbox Talk for the contractors.
