Manchester peregrine chicks ringed on city skyscraper
28th May 2010
The peregrine chicks are the first to hatch on top of the CIS Tower
Ever since 2006, bird watchers and nature lovers in Manchester have followed the fortunes of the city's only nesting pair of peregrine falcons.
Peregrines are the UK's biggest falcon and, clocking speeds of up to 200 mph, are the fastest creatures on Earth.
However, this year the peregrines chose a new nest site - or 'scrape' - high up on the CIS tower, well away from prying eyes and our webcam.
On Thursday 27 May 2010, an expert from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) abseiled down from the top of the building to ring the two chicks.
Clare Reed, Manchester People Engagement Officer for the RSPB was there and spoke to BBC Manchester:
So how did it go?
"First of all, the CIS tower is the second tallest building in Manchester so the views were amazing.
"What happened was that the steeplejack and the ringer abseiled down to get the chicks from the nest by which time the parents were getting very concerned and flying around making lots of noise.
"There were pretty incredible views of the parents, you could see them really close up, flying around the building.
"The two chicks were then brought up to the roof then the ringer gave them a couple of swabs and put a beautiful little red ring on their legs.
"We think they might both be female because their legs are actually thicker than the males when they're younger. "
What was it like being up there?
"Seeing the peregrines so close was just breathtaking.
"They're really, really big birds and you realise that when you're so close to them.
"Seeing the chicks was amazing - they were so beautiful, beautiful little white things, but they've got big claws already and really beautiful big eyes as well.
"It was a once in a lifetime experience. "
Why do you ring the chicks?
"By ringing the birds and taking DNA samples, we stand a better chance of being able to trace them should they be stolen or something happen to them.
"We also have learned a lot about their movement, how long they live and how healthy their populations are.
"Young peregrines, for example, travel huge distances in their early years.
"In fact, the very word 'peregrine' comes from the Latin word which means 'to travel'. "
So what can you tell us about the adult birds - are they the same nesting pair we've come to know?
"It's really difficult to tell, so that's still a bit of a mystery.
"The fact that they've only got two chicks this year where they normally have four may suggest it might be a different female but really it's too difficult to say.
"It could be that they've just had a bad winter which is why they've only had two chicks.
Tell us about the nest site or 'scrape' here on the CIS Tower?
"It's about one metre by one metre and the whole point of a scrape is to mimic the cliff top nest site they might have in the wild.
"It's made of gravel and they don't make a traditional nest like other birds, so they don't use sticks and mud and twigs.
"It just tends to be a gravel pit where you'll find pigeon legs and bits of carcasses and stuff!
"It's been there about four years and was put up there by the BTO.
"The reason we think they haven't used it in the past is because there has been some construction work taking place.
"We know there's been a lot of activity on the roof in previous years, so this might just be the first year there hasn't been much activity. "
Peregrines don't get vertigo but is it in a perilous location?
"Oh definitely! It's right at the top of the building, it's overlooking the whole of the city, I don't know even know how many metres drop but it's a very, very, very long way down!"
It's your first time at the ringing of the peregrine chicks. How special was it for you?
"I guess it happens once a year in Manchester and I'm the only person [at the RSPB] who's got to do that this year.
"So it's a memory that will last a very, very long time. "
Source: BBC News - Manchester
