Night-time Hunter

Convincing (and apparently rather rare) proof that Peregrine Falcons are catching prey at night. Aided by city lights, at 10.45pm on a freezing winters night, an adult peregrine brings a freshly caught Woodcock back to its feeding place on the tower of Derby Cathedral. England. We see the bird struggling in the firm grip of the peregrine's talons. But one swift bite to the neck of its prey swiftly dispatches it.

But then the peregrine takes off into the night again, settling first on a projecting lead gutter, then flying off to take yet another prey item. Peregrines are known to cache food items for later consumption, and cold weather may well prompt them to stock up even more. At this time of year we see species like woodcock, golden plover, snipe, redwing and lapwing as favourite prey items, and evidence of prey items help us monitor what species are moving through our towns.

It has long been known that peregrines do hunt at night, but film evidence in the UK has been hard to come by until now. A nest platform and webcameras were installed in 2006-2007 by the Derby Cathedral Peregrine Project - a partnership between Derby Museums & Art Gallery, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Derby Cathedral.

Find out more on our blog, and watch our three webcams at http://www.derby.gov.uk/peregrines

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• peregrine
• derby
• cathedral
• falco peregrinus
• urban
• predator
• museum
• wildlife
• trust

[mattaldred]

It's a Woodcock not a city bird.

[falconquester]

A great insight to the life of these wonderful falcons, I have to admit I had by doubts about night time hunting, But this pair has shown they have adapted to take prey by light generated by the city. Excellent capture by the webcam.

[aiwayamaha]

What a great video

[kawaswarf]

what fantastic footage , well done

[MrCowey]

he does finally eat this bird. I think the video shows him eat it around 14 - 16 days later. the footage is right here on Youtube

[nickholder63]

Great footage and an interesting insite into the falcons activities, but a little upsetting to watch. I know that this is what they need to do to survive, but I still have to turn away when it happens. But keep up the investigations.

[ade885]

just hope it catches a pigeon with canker then that will be the end for the peregrine,should have killed them all of in the war,they dont contribute to nothing only death of songbirds,not many songbirds left now because of these killing machineshope the igeon men keep killing them

[bouvier0]

I thought Peregrines only kill when they are hungry. I guess not. Sad they have to eat dirty city birds. The retained pollution poison can't be good for raising strong young.

[Amelandse]

Great footage! Congratulation with this proof of the night hunting of urban Peregrine Falcons.