Not only has the weather been from one extreme to another, but so has the peregrine watching experience.

There are moments when all that is seen of the peregrines is a fleeting glimpse as one of the juveniles pursues a parent bird above the treetops, harassing it for food. But then there are amazing moments when the juveniles are perched just a few feet away, which makes waiting for them all worthwhile.

On occasions we have been able to watch them play. Their current game is to grapple with pine cones on the floor. Many animals use play as a way of learning, so this behaviour could be helping to build their coordination, for when they have to hold on to prey in flight. At the moment they look pretty ungainly so they could probably do with the practice!

Rhian – Seasonal Ranger