Peregrines in the park (now identified as a not so common buzzard

[Maria Mac]

Hi there -

Out walking the dog in Peckham Rye Park earlier and met another walker trying to assist a bird being chased by the crows. Twice they got it down from the trees and trying to attack it but we followed and caught the bird. Sure its a peregrine falcon. It was covered to keep it calm and the person was then taking it to a rescue centre in Beckenham to see if it was ringed.

The Rangers office was shut so we couldn't ask if any nesting in the area. I checked online and found this site in case any one finds themselves in the same situation:

http://www.london-peregrine-partnership.org.uk/

If you have found a grounded/injured Peregrine in the London area please call 078 0773 8699.

Thanks

[TheArtfulDogger]

How amazing and what a beautiful bird, I had the privilege of working with a peregrine falcon in the past (via eagle heights) and they are wonderful to watch fly and hunt 'lure' prey

Hope it is okay and returned to its rightful place quickly.

[Maria Mac]

Indeed, I wish I had known the telephone number to contact the London Group but now in phone. Will look up Eagle Heights as always wanted to fly a bird. Thank you

[Mystic Mog]

Well done, what a lovely bird, great you could help.

[Grok]

Well done, Maria Mac.

[Blah Blah]

Great work. Hope the falcon finds the right place for it.

[titch juicy]

Not being deliberately difficult here; but isn't there an argument for letting nature get on with itself. Without interfering?

[cookie]

The picture looks like a buzzard. Peregrine's have dark markings on either cheek.

[MissDumpling]

Definitely a buzzard. Poor thing!

[Maria Mac]

Thanks for all your comments and yes I did have that thought should we step in and help the bird or as Titch says let nature do it's thing... and yes I expected this comment... well you gotta go with your heart and we couldn't see such a fabulous bird brought down and killed.

And yes, those comments are right... here's the latest info from the Peregrine centre:

Hi Maria,

Thanks for your email.

This bird is a Common Buzzard ? not what I was expecting as they're anything but 'common' in London itself, although they are regularly seen around the outskirts of the London area now. Peckham Rye Park is not so far out from the centre so I would imagine this is a bird, possibly a young one, that was passing through the area when it was mobbed by the crows.

If you find out where it was taken too I'd be interested to know what happened to it. I'd expect after a bit of a rest it would be fine to be on its way again.

Kind regards,

Stuart Harrington

[BrandNewGuy]

Buzzards have occasionally been seen around Sydenham Hill Woods ? and the population is increasing significantly in southern England outside cities.