Rare falcons find a home in Bolton (From The Bolton News)

Rare falcons find a home in Bolton

10:35am Saturday 10th May 2008 in

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PEREGRINE falcons are nesting in the clock tower of Bolton Town Hall.

A pair of the rare birds of prey have been in the town since September and started to set up home earlier this year.

For the last few weeks, the female has been sitting on her eggs in a special tray erected by the Greater Manchester County Birding (GMCB) organisation and Bolton Council.

And her sharp-eyed mate is keeping a bird's eye view of proceedings from the clock tower of Bolton Parish Church.

Judith Smith, GMCB County Recorder, said: "This is a real coup for Bolton. To have a pair of nesting peregrine falcons in the town centre is excellent news. In the past, this would have been virtually unheard of, but it is becoming increasingly common."

Before nesting at the town hall, the peregrines first had to win a battle of the skies against a rival pair of ravens, which had also set up home near to the clock tower.

The two species of birds are known for their inability to get along, and after a series of mid-air fights - witnessed from the ground by keen bird watchers - the peregrines won.

In February, a nesting tray was put up on the side of the clock tower facing Whitakers department store, but it cannot be seen from ground level.

By the end of March, the female bird was seen to be nesting.

The eggs are expected to hatch in the next few weeks and until they do so, they are being guarded by the male.

It can often be seen perched on the ornamental facade of the Parish Church clock tower.

Peregrines have excellent eyesight, and experts at the GMCB say the male is watching for predators near to its mate's nest across town, ready to strike if necessary.

While the presence of the birds is being hailed as good news, it could throw a spanner in the works of a mediaeval celebration due to take place on June 21 and 22 in Churchgate.

It will feature mediaeval markets, battle reconstructions, Morris and folk dancing and a host of colourful costumes.

But two of the event's planned highlights - a bird of prey display and trips up the parish church tower - may now have to be cancelled because of the birds' presence.

The church tower has been padlocked because it is illegal to disturb the birds during the nesting season.

Organisers are hoping the tower can be reopened in time for the mediaeval weekend but the bird of prey display may be cancelled because the wild birds would see their tethered friends as easy prey.

Ye Olde Man and Scythe pub landlord John Jewitt, who is involved in organising the mediaeval event, said: "By comparison they othe birds of prey are tame and they can't get away. It's a nice easy lump of meat for the peregrines."

Church administrator Stephen Mort said the birds were not nesting in the church but the male peregrine was still seen on the roof of the building.

The tower will remain locked until the RSPB advises that it can be entered.

An RSPB spokesman said peregrines nesting in towns and cities were becoming more common and, in some cases, were more successful than their counterparts in the countryside.

He added: "They see tall buildings as surrogate cliff faces, which is their natural habitat."

Earlier this week, it was reported that a pair of nesting peregrines were causing a stir in Worcester where they have set up home on a church spire.