Dusty and Freddie set their sights on hospital roof
PEREGRINE FALCON PAIR EYEING UP BUILDING TO BE THEIR NEW HOME
WEST London is preparing to welcome two new winged residents, who are eyeing up Ealing Hospital roof as a new home.
Ealing Wildlife Group has spotted a pair of peregrine falcons which have been using the hospital roof to roost on for nearly year.
In response, the group has installed a breeding box on the 10-storey building, hoping the falcons will make the east London hospital their permanent home.
The Ealing falcons are named Dusty and Freddie after Dusty Diamond and Freddie Mercury – Ealing’s most famous singers.
Sean McCormack, who founded EWG several years ago, said: “We had several reported sightings of them around the hospital.
“Peregrines are highly territorial and mate for life so we hope they will settle here.
“Their nearest neighbours are in Southall with a further pair west in Brentford.”
Peregrine falcons traditionally reside on cliff faces, but began migrating to urban areas after facing near extinction from now banned pesticides in the 1950s.
The birds found tall buildings with largely inaccessible roof spaces an ideal home, along with a ready supply of food in the shape of London’s pigeon and parakeet population.
Ealing Wildlife Group has also identified barn owls and rare types of bats. Sean said: “The hope is that we can later put in a live feed camera but will know by the spring if they have bred as we’ll be able to see them bringing food to the nest. We’d love to hear from any local businesses that might be able to help sponsoring the webcam equipment moving forward.
“Peregrines usually produce two to four chicks a year which are then taught how to hunt, after which they are driven out in the autumn to find their own territory.
“It’s very exciting news as peregrines are still relatively rare and we look forward to seeing what happens in the spring.”