Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Peregrines - the New Generation

Juvenile Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus brookei at Europa Point, Gibraltar - 10th July


It was back on the 22nd February that we got this shot of the adult peregrines mating. We've been following their progress and three weeks ago three youngsters fledged...


The juveniles are largely independent now and are terrorising the neighbourhood! Juveniles of other species that nested on the same cliffs better beware! Here a juvenile peregrine as a go at a young Yellow-legged Gull Larus micahellis which doesn't appreciate the gesture...


...but they have to watch out as mummy doesn't take kindly to their approaches.


This afternnon they had a go at a young, and noisy, Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, that managed to get away minus a few tail feathers. The lower peregrine had its crop full so she must have been helping her sister get a snack.


They are rapidly becoming experts at their job

equally at home mover the sea as over land


we'll keep an eye on them in the coming weeks but, for now, they're doing very well, even if their neighbours don't share the sentiment!

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