A collaborative effort between the Scottish Wildlife Trust, RSPB and the National Wildlife Crime Unit has led to a happy ending for the chicks which hatched from eggs stolen from nests in Wales as part of an attempt to smuggle them out of the UK.  The criminal operation was prevented by authorities at Birmingham airport earlier this year in May and today 48 year old Jeffrey Paul Lendrum of Northamptionshire was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court for taking and possessing 14 wild bird eggs (Thursday 19 August).

After authorities gained possession of the unhatched eggs, they were passed over to an experienced falconer to tend to and incubate them.  The effort saw the successful hatching of 11 peregrine chicks which required a new home.

RSPB, with assistance from local raptor study groups, identified three suitable nest sites in Scotland and 7 of the rescued chicks were re-homed, 4 were placed in two undisclosed sites in the east of the country, while the remaining three were fostered by the resident pair of breeding peregrines at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre. 

The ambitious fostering plan, which involved experts abseiling down the gorge-side to add the chicks to the Falls of Clyde nest, has since proved extremely successful, with all the chicks being lovingly reared and fledging the nest.  

Willie Buttery, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre Manager, said:  “Peregrine falcons have strong parental instincts and, thankfully, they also can’t count!  Adding an extra three chicks to their nest did not faze them in the slightest.  Within only an hour of relocation, our adult female was on the nest happily feeding all of the chicks there. 

“By being re-homed in our nest, the rescued chicks’ safety was ensured thanks to our Operation Peregrine Programme which sees our staff and volunteers, with support from People Postcode Lottery, man a 24-hour surveillance watch over the nest.  Wildlife crime is an atrocity against nature and we are thankful we could save these chicks from becoming real victims of such a heartless act.” 

Ian Thomson, RSPB Scotland Investigations Officer, said:  “We’re delighted that this serious case had such a happy ending, and these fantastic birds are back where they belong in the wild. With the help of local raptor study group members licenced to monitor this species, we were able to identify nests that had only one or two young, rather than the usual three to four. This gave us a greater chance of ensuring that the fostered chicks were accepted by the parents and grew strong enough to fledge successfully The peregrine falcon population has only just recovered following severe declines in the 1950s and 60s due to toxic agricultural chemical use. Since use of these pesticides was discontinued the species has been slowly recovering but sadly, as the events in May showed, still faces threats from persecution, illegal falconry and egg thefts.” 

The Falls of Clyde peregrines can still be seen at the Peregrine Watch Site and online at www.swt.org.uk from April until the end of June when the chicks fledge and are taught to fend for themselves.  Visitors to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre enjoy CCTV highlights and may be lucky enough to spot the majestic birds’ flying through the reserve at any time of year.

Today, only about 1400 pairs of peregrine falcons remain in the UK, following a recovery after their numbers fell rapidly in the 1950s due to the effects of DDT, a pesticide which decreased reproductive success through the thinning of eggshells.  This number accounts for 20% of the EU breeding population and approximately two-thirds of these nest in Scotland.

People’s Postcode Lottery, a community lottery where players play with their postcode to win prizes and support local charities, supports the Scottish Wildlife Trust.  Recently raising over £1million to help protect Scotland’s wildlife and wild places, People’s Postcode Lottery support now funds the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Peregrine Protection Officer and helps the charity maintain over 123 wildlife reserves in postcodes across Scotland. 
 

***ENDS***

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Nicola McGovern, Scottish Wildlife Trust PR and Communications Manager
0131 312 4742; 07795 608 264
nmcgovern@swt.org.uk

Louise Smith, RSPB Scotland National Media Officer 0131 311 6536, 07540 121 457 or louise.smith@rspb.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The peregrine is afforded the highest degree of legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to intentionally take, injure or kill a peregrine or to take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young. It is also an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds close to their nest during the breeding season.  For more information on this species visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/peregrine/index.aspx

2. The Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre is open between 11 am and 5 pm throughout the year, excepting January and February when opening hours are reduced to 12 noon to 4 pm. The peregrine viewing area is now closed. Admission to the visitor centre is £1 per adult, 50p per concession, and free for SWT members.

3. Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre is one mile south of Lanark, off the A73. Follow signs for New Lanark Heritage Site. SWT visitor centre is in the Old Mill Dyeworks in New Lanark, past the Robert Owen School.

4. Operation Peregrine is managed in conjunction with The Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime initiative (PAW). This partnership is run by Scottish Natural Heritage and has the support of the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Police forces and wildlife organisations such as the Scottish Wildlife Trust and RSPB Scotland