Peregrine takes pigeon right before my eyes!

[Blackdogjnr]

I work at Nottingham trent University and a select few of us have been aware of a pair of peregrines hang out on the roof of one of our oldest and tallest university buildings.

I always thought it was funny that such a beautiful bird would choose our noisy dirty city as a home, but since I moved offices and am now on 6th floor I get a different view, I can imagine that its kinda cool swooping round the town looking for tea!

Speaking of tea, last night as I wrapped my day up, I put my coat on and just as I closed my computer down I heard a 'screee screee screeetch', looked to my left out of the window and saw a juvenille peregrine snatch a poor pigeon right before my very eyes!

So exciting, my heart was racing all the way home.
I just wanted to share this with you guys as people in my office think I'm a bit batty.

I just love the idea that this amazing natural behaviour happens up in the skies whilst down below people hustle and bustle from tesco to primark completely oblivious to it!

I always wanted to see peregrines as a kid, and as a young man I have been able to just make out a few feathery blobs up on the top of the newton building, but yesterday I felt was a really special encounter.

I wish my boss'd let me set up some gear so I can get some snaps next time it happens, but I fear I wouldn't get much work done

[djackso]

Nice to hear your story - much appreciated on this site! I know what you mean about other's thinking you are nuts.

Maybe you could tell your boss that you will do your photography in your lunch break, or come in a little earlier?

[deer boy]

Great story Blackdogjnr

I've never seen a Peregrine kill in the wild,but i did see the footage Simon King showed on his springwatch programme recently of the Peregrine killing a pigeon & that was amazing to see.
So i'm very jealous of u both now

[demicav]

Amazing story. Love peregrines, stuning Birds of prey. You're lucky to have them nearby.

[ellen h]

Know the feeling blackdogjnr!
I saw a peregrine take a pigeon as I was walking over the local marshes.So quick,what a sight,can still picture it!!!
ellen

[Bad bird watcher]

Wow, fantastic! I often walk down by the Tate modern at lunchtime and always dream that I might see this one day. Lucky you.

[rlchew]

Nice one Blackdogjnr .... I fully appreciate your excitement.

Peregrines are just amazing birds, especially if you see them hunting.

You couldn't send your bird down to me could you? The feral pigeons on the roof of our flats are driving me mad with their noise and mess!

Apart from that, Peregrine would be an addition to my "seen from the flat window" list

Richard

[Blackdogjnr]

Thanks for the comments guys, its great hear that I'm not the only one who thinks this is exciting!
I think the funniest thing for me was that the people in my office thought they were seagulls!
LOL

[moz]

Awesome site i witnessed a peregrine taking a pigeon on the wing at symonds yat no feeling like it a real privilege to see the fastest animal on the planet doing what it does best treasure the moment i say very rare.there are some excellent images on the rspb site showing the birds in worcester.

[rlchew]

Originally Posted by Blackdogjnr

I think the funniest thing for me was that the people in my office thought they were seagulls! LOL

Er? .... yes .... they are really similar

Richard

[Blackdogjnr]

Yeah, I guess they heard the blood-curdling screech of our formidable hunter and it transported them down memory lane, back to icecream and donkey rides on the skegness beaches or yore...



This morning I saw two juvenilles circling and chasing each other, lots of fun.
They look quite a bit different as youngsters compared to the parents.. more brownish.. or could that be the tinted windows?!