Peregrine  Falco peregrinus

Aylesbury - July 2007 - March 2008 (at least)

Above photo copyright Mike Collard - taken in early February 2008

Above two photos copyright Tim Watts - taken in early February 2008

The male Peregrine Falcon reported below has been present in Aylesbury town centre since July 2007 and has been seen displaying with a female on several occasions.  A nesting platform was erected in February, so there are high hopes that they will breed.        (Link to Bucks County Council article.)

Compared to the  photographs below the bird is now showing a more uniform blue grey upperparts, with the grey brown feathers of the juvenile bird being gradually replaced. 

The pair have been seen almost daily throughout March and are often seen close to the platform.

Photo copyright Mike Wallen

Above photo taken on 14th July 2007

Lower photos taken on 7th July 2007

Photo copyright Mike Wallen

Photo copyright Mike Wallen

Photo copyright Mike Wallen

This 1st summer Peregrine Falcon has been present in the centre of Aylesbury from early July 2007 until early February 2008 (at least).  It seems to favour the Buckinghamshire County Council building (above).  It was initially found by Mike Wallen but has subsequently been seen by many people.  It is likely that the bird has been raised on a tall building at an inland site and hence quite at home in the centre of Aylesbury.  It is apparently feeding on Feral Pigeons of which there is a plentiful supply.  

The Buckinghamshire County Council have taken an interest in their rare visitor and a platform has been erected in the hope that the bird will attract a mate and stay to breed.  In fact during December 2007 two Peregrines were reported by an observer on the eighth floor.  To see the county councils web page on the Peregrine nesting platform, visit the following web page:

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/content/index.jsp?contentid=-682873005

Marsh Gibbon - 2nd May 2006

Photos copyright Tim Watts

This immature Peregrine was watched for 10 minutes as it sat in the middle of a large ploughed field.  It was thought to have prey in it's talons. To view a graph of Peregrine records in the county   click here.

Shardeloes - 18th August 2000

Video still copyright Dave Ferguson

This juvenile bird was found at Shardeloes Lake near Amersham by Rob Andrews.  It had a greyish ring on it's left leg but with no letters visible.  Just before dusk it flew to a nearby copse, presumably to roost.  It has not been seen since.

Video still courtesy of Dave Ferguson