i have a pair of falcons nesting in a tree next door to me. is it ok if i get near it to take some photos? if so might get you a few pics tomorrow. if there is a distance i should keep does anyone know what it is? thanx
i have a pair of falcons nesting in a tree next door to me
The law prohibits intentional
disturbance of any species included in Schedule 1 of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This applies while such
a bird is building a nest, or is in, on or near a nest
containing eggs or young. It is also illegal to intentionally
disturb dependent young of Schedule 1 birds.
SCHEDULE 1
Birds that are protected by special penalties and that may not
be photographed at or near a nest without a licence:
The identification of these birds is a puzzle to me. As has been mentioned already, Peregrine Falcons very rarely use trees to nest in. Also they don't build nests, usually they just scrape an indentation in the soft surface on their chosen nest ledge.
Also unusual is the report of the male killing rabbits. Almost always, Peregrines take their prey (birds) on the wing. The behaviour of the birds fits well with Buzzards, but they don't resemble Peregrines. The only other bird of prey (that could be found in Oxfordshire) that I can think of, that the male could take rabbits is Goshawk.
If these are indeed a pair of Peregrines, be cautious in identifying the nesting site in a public way. Peregrine chicks are worth thousands to unethical scumbags.