Not only do we have the great how may peregrine eggs mystery here at Falls of Clyde, we now have a second peregrine puzzle to unravel. Sadly this issue is not one of new spring arrivals but sadly of a likely winter demise. A juvenile 1^st winter peregrine was found dead on the reserve, at the base of a large oak tree recently. The body was very well decomposed and was impossible to determine the cause of dead by eye.

The bird has been sent away for analysis and we should hopefully have some results to report to you soon. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to see the bird for myself the general consensus is that the young peregrine had unfortunately found its 1^st winter to hard and had sadly starved.

As for the origin of the bird, it was complete with BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) ring and initially doesn’t appear to be a juvenile that had fledged from here, or from the immediate area. Again we wait for further news…

On a more positive note our adult breeding pair are looking alive and well, and still confusing me and the rest of the team as to with their odd single egg behavior.

 In other good news the waterfalls here are looking truly spectacular, and in full spate today. Seems the much needed rainfall have really brought them to life, best I’ve ever seen them. If the peregrines are enough to be worth the walk, the falls certainly are an added bonus at the moment.

Hope to see you soon

Adam Murphy – Peregrine Ranger