On 24-hour peregrine falcon watch

Perched on a cliff ledge, high above the River Clyde, one of nature's most effective hunters sits protecting her chicks.

Across on the other side of the gorge, a team of dedicated volunteers keeps watch over the persecuted birds, guarding them against poachers - and unintentional disturbance from walkers.

Peregrine falcons are the fastest creatures on the planet, swooping to attack pigeons and songbirds at speeds approaching 200mph. The birds, which are Britain's largest native falcons, dive on their prey from above, and can kill geese, pheasants and even swans using their devastating speed.

Large parts of Scotland are a refuge for the peregrine - Latin name Falco peregrinus - with two-thirds of the UK's population spending their summers north of the Border. They nest in a remarkably wide variety of places, from buildings in cities, to rocky cliff faces, such as those found at the Scottish Wildlife Trust's (SWT) Falls of Clyde reserve, which forms part of the New Lanark world heritage site.

The birds are about the size of a crow, with long, broad, pointed wings and relatively short tails, white feathers on their underside and darker backs - and powerful talons and hooked yellow beaks.

Peregrine numbers suffered a catastrophic drop worldwide during the 1950s and 1960s, prompting new laws to protect the birds from pesticides used in agriculture. The species has bred at the Falls of Clyde since 1997, prompting the SWT to launch Operation Peregrine in 1999, a round-the-clock project to watch over the nest site. The two chicks born on the reserve this year bring the total number hatched to 27, a significant contribution to the resurrection of the species.

The volunteers and SWT staff who make up the team monitor the peregrines' progress all day and one member stays on in a caravan overnight to protect the birds from trouble.

"Egg collecting and the theft of young birds are still big problems," says Stephen Blow, reserve manager, who warns that baby peregrines are often stolen and sold on the continent for falconry. "We haven't had problems here because our nest is well-protected, but some of the more rural locations, away from people, are still under threat."

But thieves and egg collectors have a tough job on their hands: on top of Operation Peregrine, the SWT also works closely with Strathclyde Police's local wildlife officer. "The police can read number plates using overhead cameras on the M6 and M74," Blow explains. "If they spot a known egg collector heading north from England, then they can warn us in advance."

Falls of Clyde markets itself as one of the best places to see peregrine falcons in their natural habitat and it's easy to see why. Instead of a traditional enclosed bird hide, visitors can watch the peregrine nest from behind a screen, with telescopes poking through gaps in the sticks. Also, passers-by walking along the paths beside the River Clyde are encouraged to pause for a moment and watch the birds.

Similar peregrine protection programmes are run at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Aberfoyle, by the Forestry Commission, and at Grey Mare's Tail, Dumfries, by the National Trust for Scotland. Other places to watch peregrines are Huntly Peregrine Wildwatch, Aberdeenshire, and Craigellachie National Nature Reserve, near Aviemore.

Peregrine falcons - where to see them

Scottish Wildlife Trust Falls of Clyde

New Lanark Heritage Village
Tel: 01555-665262
www.swt.org.uk

Huntly Peregrine Wild-watch

Aberdeenshire
Tel: 01466-794161
www.forestry.gov.uk/peregrines

Isle of Mull Wildlife Expeditions

Ulva Ferry
Mull
Tel: 01688-500121
www.scotlandwildlife.com

Isle of Mull Island Encounter

Wildlife & Bird-watching Safaris
Aros
Isle of Mull
Tel: 01680-300441
www.mullwildlife.co.uk

Glenlivet Wildlife

Cairngorms National Park
Tel: 01807-590241
www.glenlivet-wildlife.co.uk

Loch Gruinart

Islay
Tel: 01496-850505
www.rspb.org.uk

Where to stay

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