Why we cannot intervene

The 4th chick outside the nest box

 

Thank you for all the messages.   Like so many of you, we are also very concerned for the young falcon chick, but please understand that we cannot intervene.

We only ever access the nest for the annual ringing, which is to help ensure the protection of the peregrine falcon species. If we were to repeatedly interfere with the nest there would be the possibility that the adults may abandon it and any remaining chicks. This is based on the advice of professionals.

In the wild, in more rural nest sites, it is common for chicks to perish by falling from the nest, often being bullied by its larger siblings.  Our falcons are wild too, and we must let nature take its course and hope for the best.  It is also worth noting that the female is perfectly capable of continuing to feed it if she chooses to and the ledge is actually wider than in some rural sites.

The nest box was installed on a site which had already been chosen by the falcons.  It was installed by the university and the wildlife trust to prevent eggs being washed away in times of heavy rainfall.  The site has been incredibly successful for many years with twenty birds successfully fledging over the past six years.  As ever, at the end of every season we will review how our project has performed.  This always includes a review of the nest box itself and the ringing.

In 2012 during the heavy storms we received hundreds of requests to rescue the birds.  We did not intervene, despite losing three chicks.  It was incredibly difficult to watch, however when one chick managed to survive we felt privileged to have witnessed such a battle.