Wednesday 11th April around 7pm.Loud screeching noise looked up and saw what I thought was a Buzzard perched on the tower of the an old Church. Amazing sight no photos though, other people stopped to see the bird, just wondered if anyone could actually identify it, some were taking photos.
OakR Edit to remove name of Church.
I was about to pose a similiar question! I’ve been hearing the bird squawking regularly for the last week or so but have only seen it in flight on one occasion, early Wednesday morning as it swooped down past me from a cornerstone on the Church spire. Was quite a sight first thing in the morning… Not sure what it was as it went past at such speed, but shall be keeping my camera-phone to hand when I walk past to see if I get lucky enough to get a snap. Thinking maybe its nesting high up on the church?
Just been told it could be a Peregine Falcon.
Saw the Falcon yesterday evening wrestling with a Pigeon in its talons, but it had managed to break free by the time I could get my phone out.
Explains the sudden increase in feathers scattered around the church area!
Great snap, and answers to the mystery. Great to have diversity in the wildlife.
Absolutely! We moved here from Newcastle 5 years ago and still can’t believe the huge variety of wildlife we see in our garden. It’s amazing.
Finally, London’s pigeons serve a useful purpose.
I hope these beautiful sparrowhawks prosper.
Hi Tony
Is that the church in road name removed?
I’m amateur wild photographer and live in Forest Hill?
Philip
We were told they are a pair of peregrine falcons?
Size wise, they seem to fit being Peregrines
Interesting info on Londons population of them.
Peregrines have dark markings on the sides of their faces
from http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/17826169
The excellent photos from @ThorNogson would suggest peregrines.
The excellent photo from @MackemJo is clearly a sparrowhawk.
I don’t have any good photos but there is occasionally an unmistakable sound of an owl at night around my house.
For anyone like me who’s new to raptors (bear with me) and finds them intensely beautiful as well as absolutely terrifying, I recommend Raptor: A Journey Through Birds, which is a loving and interesting study. And has a rather gorgeous cover.
With all these impressive new arrivals, I’ll be looking up and around me much more regularly now!
I wonder if they eat green parrots ?
Totally agree @Michael… @ThorNogson’s photos make it totally clear. Wonderful to have all this in SE23!
By all accounts, yes.
There are peregrines on the spire of the old church opposite The Grove too.
If you’re luck enough to see them dive, their speed is amazing.
Hi Philip
Yes it is, other people have been much luckier with their photos than me.
Thanks, will try when return from my holiday
From the wingshape (seen this morning!) and the call, seems like a peregrine falcon- unless there are peregrines and sparrowhawks on the prowl?
Would somebody like to arrange a bird spotting tour of SE23 focused on some of our more unusual bird - peregrines, sparrow harks, owls, swifts, parakeets, woodpeckers, etc
I’ve no idea if it would even be possible to arrange something like that, but I think it could be good fun. We could arrange for a few dead starlings or a murder of crows to attract some of the birds of prey to the roof of a local church.
Very funny!
I don’t think parakeets count as unusual anymore though.
I don’t wish to belabour the Jurassic Park references but I am reminded of this scene.
now you’ve made me think of Q The Winged Serpent, a horror classic where the bird in question nested in the tower of the Chrysler building in NYC. Caused a stir by dining on people rather than pigeons and parakeets though.
Back to peregrine falcons though, for those who want to know more there is a tv programme about them tonight, 8pm on BBC2.
Well, I hope they are not nesting ( they were mating last week…) because flyimg a drone close to their nesting site does not strike as a very sensible thing to do.
I was quietly hoping to see one of the Peregrines take out the drone like one of those viral Eagle videos but alas they didn’t seem to be around at the time.
Indeed there has been a drone buzzing around locally recently, somewhat annoyingly.
Even if the owner is blissfully unaware of the birds being there, surely there is a serious privacy issue too with that tower being someone’s house and all.
And of course as Chris says, they are not allowed without jumping through hoops anyway.
Reported the drone issue to London Peregrine partnership, may be the can help.
I saw one of them catch a pigeon on Wednesday night, an amazing site. I wish the people flying the drone would just leave these birds alone.
Perhaps if anyone does see the drone, it could be reported on here, then maybe we could name & shame or get the thing grounded.
Tony
Hi There Reply below London Peregrine
Hi Tony,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m aware of this pair. That’s bad news about the drone. It’s quite possible whoever it is operating it is trying to film the birds. You could report it to the police however the best course of action might be to approach whoever’s doing it and video them in the process. Unfortunately if it’s a local resident and not a commercial operator then it will be difficult to do anything without identifying them.
I don’t think there’s anywhere on the church for them to nest, but they may attempt it nearby in future.
Kind regards,
Stuart Harrington
London Peregrine Partnership
www.london-peregrine-partnership.org.uk
@LdnPeregrines
the guy I met who lives in the tower told me they do not nest in the tower, but take their prey there to eat it. This was on the basis of a couple of seasons of observing the behaviour. He said he often finds bones and things on his windowsill. If this is correct I suppose the question is where exactly do/will they nest?
If anybody has the answer it is probably best to keep it to yourself to prevent anybody disturbing the nest.
How amazing would it be to find a peregrine falcon on your window sill in the morning.
Somewhere, one day, maybe in Forest Hill, someone will get a shot as awesome as this one…
Just bringing this thread back to life as I think I witnessed a Peregrine catch another small bird in our yard today. CCTV to follow hopefully if the bosses son can edit well enough.
Anyone know if there has been any recent sightings?
God I hope so! We need something to deal with the Pigeon plague.
Wow he’s pretty magnificent.
Inspired by this thread and your photo I went back to try and see one again today., having failed on previous visits. After a walk around Inthought another failure was in order until I spotted it high up and mostly hidden from some angles. I will have to go back when the sun is out but managed to get a few reasonably close up ones:
What a please to have these in SE23!
Wow! What absolutely fantastic photos. Thank you!
Incredible photos @oakr!
Superb photos! Which church was this? The one near the Grove?
Thanks @MackemJo and @Scorpion. @Howdo no it’s the road name removed just off the South Circular.
I wonder if it’s the same bird (or birds) visiting different sites?
Wow. Just wow.
