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Kestrel do nicelyfor a high-rise pad
FORGET leafy trees and lofty ledges – it seems Peterborough power station is fast becoming the most popular des-res for birds of prey hunting for the perfect nest.
FORGET leafy trees and lofty ledges – it seems Peterborough power station is fast becoming the most popular des-res for birds of prey hunting for the perfect nest.Two years ago, a pair of peregrine falcons reared a chick on top of the Centrica building, in Fourth Drove, Fengate, stunning twitchers who declared it a Cambridgeshire first.
And now, their spot has been gazumped by a kestrel couple, who are so snug in their new home, they are raising three newly-hatched chicks.
Staff at the station have fallen in love with their new feathered friends and can watch their every move on a webcam.
The camera and a nesting box were placed on the boiler stacks, 60ft from the ground, last winter, in the hope of attracting the falcons again.
But staff were amazed to see the kestrels had flocked to the same hideaway instead.
E-mail pictures of any wildlife spotted in the city's built-up areas to eteditor@peterboroughtoday.co.uk or send photos from your mobile phone.
Generation manager Jim Blair said: "We normally have peregrine falcons and they build quite precarious nests on top of the stack.
"We call in a local expert to try to attract them every year. Some of the guys put up a basic box with a perch on it.
"Peregrines were seen coming back, but for some reason, they decided not to nest here. The next thing we knew, two kestrels had taken up residence.
"They must have been laying eggs but we didn't know. And then we saw the three chicks."
Despite the bizarre location, the home has its perks.
"It's security for them because it's out of the way," he said.
"they've got a good view and it's close to open land where their mother can get them food.
"It has been very interesting. We have seen all sorts of things – even the birds mating."
Member of the Peterborough Bird Club and former chairman David Cromack said he was surprised to hear about the power station's new guests.
He said: "It seems very strange for this particular species because they tend to nest in tree holes.
"Peregrines are cliff-nesting birds and as they move east, the cliffs run out so they have taken to cathedrals and man- made structures with ledges. But kestrels prefer covered nests."
An annual report produced by the club in 2007 showed there were just four breeding pairs recorded in the city.
Mr Cromack said: "It shows they are not prolifically breeding in the area."
He added that the power station's new tenants would get cosy for some time yet: "They seem to have found a hunting ground close by. They don't want to make long journeys every time they catch a vole. After the young birds can fly and feed themselves, they will be encouraged to move off. That power station is turning into an attractive area for birds."
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Weather for Peterborough
Sunday 12 February 2012
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