Kettering Church Peregrine Falcons.

Leaving Fermyn Woods behind we stop off at Kettering and the Church of St Peter and St Paul. The Grade I listed building with its 179 feet (55 metres) is a perfected site for the resident Peregrine Falcons. During the war, fighter pilots would look out for the towering spire, higher than anything around, to navigate to the local airbase at Grafton Underwood. Four Peregrine chicks have successfully hatched and are all doing well. It has taken around ten weeks from the eggs being laid to the fledging stage. 

At the end of May the four chicks were successfully ringed, weighed and checked by the Hawk and Owl Trust.

The sex of the chicks was determined by their weight:

 

• MC Weighed 770g (Female)

• MD Weighed 900g (Female)

• MK Weighed 880g (Female)

• ML Weighed 650g (Male)

 All the photos of the Peregrines were taken by Martin Swannell. 

Female Peregrine

They are quite a prolific pair, this is their fourth year of breeding. So far they have raised a grand total of sixteen chicks in that time. The female Peregrine is much larger than the male, almost a third bigger. They also have heavier barring, or markings, the males tend to have whiter breasts. The huge talons or claws are very distinct. As we arrive the female has made a kill. A hapless local Pigeon is being served up. A staple on the lunchtime menu judging by the bones and feathers surrounding the church. Its a complete frenzy as feathers are torn from the carcass and float down like snow. A peregrine falcon can dive up to 200 miles per hour to capture prey in flight, striking in mid-air with its outstretched talons. They will also take other types of birds and sometimes bats, mice, and insects.   

It's a perfect situation really for the Peregrines, and a reason why they are so highly successful in urban surroundings.With such a high vantage point they can take advantage of prey and remain safe. A lot of Peregrine web cams have been set up for the public to monitor their progress. The photo on the left shows the approving mother watching avidly as one of her young makes a slightly ungainly take off. It has been a great experience to watch these masters of the sky at such close quarters.