Peregrines in the city

25 people attended Altarnun Village Hall to hear Nick Dixon give a fascinating illustrated talk on Peregrine Falcons. Nick is particularly interested in how Peregrines are using man-made structures - from cathedrals to pylons - as roost and nest sites, and are moving away from their traditional cliff habitats in pursuit of pigeons and gulls close to human habitation. Not a talk for those with vertigo as Nick talked about his experiences checking nest boxes on the tops of skyscrapers and bridges in New York where the birds have been captive bred and released. Returning to the UK Nick has been in search of Peregrine activity across the country, including work with the National Grid looking at how the birds have taken up residence in the steelwork of pylons. Closer to home, we learnt how peregrines in Exeter are inadvertently providing us with interesting information through the analysis of their pellets and nest debris, showing that they have preyed on 95 different  species - including parakeets. Nick also told us of new information showing that Peregrines also hunted at night - presumably using the ambient light from the city - and have been taking bats as well as night-flying birds. A fascinating evening supported, as ever, by Mary's sterling work on the refreshments.