Three Peregrine Chicks Born on Ealing Hospital Roof
Birds of prey start a family with encouragement from local wildlife group
One of the recently hatched chicks. Picture: Sean McCormack
A pair of peregrine falcons who made their home on the roof of Ealing Hospital have started a family.
Three chicks have been spotted on a top floor window ledge on the north-eastern corner of the building after the birds of prey decided to make it their home.
Last year, the Ealing Wildlife Group (EWG) installed a breeding box to encourage the pair to mate.
EWG has been keeping an eagle eye on developments in recent months with local vet Sean McCormack given special permission to access the building’s roof and confirm the new arrivals.
“It’s very exciting although the mother let her concern known by being very vocal while she wheeled overhead. We recently put rings on their legs so we can keep track of them when they fly the nest.”
Peregrines, whose traditional habitat are cliff faces, began migrating to urban areas after facing near extinction from now banned pesticides in the 1950s.
They find tall buildings with largely inaccessible roof space an ideal home along with a ready supply of food in the shape of London’s pigeon and parakeet population.
The three chicks on the window ledge. Picture: Sean McCormack
Sean added, “Peregrines are highly territorial and mate for life so it is great they have settled here. Their nearest neighbours are in Southall with a further pair west in Brentford.”
EWG is involved in a number of conservation projects and is always keen to hear from anyone who would like to volunteer. Current initiatives include the proposed reintroduction of beavers to the UK with the group applying for a license for a controlled enclosure trail at Paradise Fields in North Greenford.
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June 7, 2022