Peregrines Move into Central Cardiff
11/04/2008 12:09:19A pair of peregrine falcons has nested on the clock tower of Cardiff City Hall and the birds are at the centre of a viewing project led by RSPB Cymru, National Museum Wales and Cardiff Council.
These amazing record-breaking birds reach speeds of more than 100 miles an hour as they hunt and are incredible to watch, with their menacing black hoods and bright yellow talons.
Sarah Clark of RSPB Cymru is leading the project. She said: ‘Their inner-city home just shows that anywhere can be a haven for wildlife – you don’t have to travel miles into the countryside to have a memorable experience of nature.’
The ‘Aren’t birds brilliant!’ project will encourage people in Cardiff to see the fantastic birds for themselves through telescopes and binoculars set up most days outside City Hall until the end of August.
These amazing record-breaking birds reach speeds of more than 100 miles an hour as they hunt and are incredible to watch, with their menacing black hoods and bright yellow talons.
Sarah Clark of RSPB Cymru is leading the project. She said: ‘Their inner-city home just shows that anywhere can be a haven for wildlife – you don’t have to travel miles into the countryside to have a memorable experience of nature.’
The ‘Aren’t birds brilliant!’ project will encourage people in Cardiff to see the fantastic birds for themselves through telescopes and binoculars set up most days outside City Hall until the end of August.
Nest – Cam
A nest-camera will beam live footage to a screen inside the National Museum Cardiff so that visitors can get close-up views as the pair, hopefully, raise a family. Visitors will even be able to keep up with all the action from the comfort of home by viewing the footage online at www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/peregrines/
A nest-camera will beam live footage to a screen inside the National Museum Cardiff so that visitors can get close-up views as the pair, hopefully, raise a family. Visitors will even be able to keep up with all the action from the comfort of home by viewing the footage online at www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/peregrines/
Sarah continued: ‘Peregrines have had a troubled history, suffering from intense persecution in the past, and indirectly falling victim to pesticides used in farming during the 1950s. However, thanks to better legal protection and control of pesticides the UK, the peregrine population is now increasing and their appearance in city centres like Cardiff proves the resilience and adaptability of these stunning birds.’
Full details of the project can be found on the RSPB's new look Aren’t birds brilliant! website www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant Or, for more information on how to help birds of prey like the peregrine falcon visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey
For more information on the project, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant or for details of National Museum Cardiff opening times, please visit www.museumwales.ac.uk
Location
City Hall is located in Cardiff’s Civic Centre, just a 20-minute walk from Cardiff Central bus and train station. National Museum Cardiff can be found next door to City Hall. Entrance is free, thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government, and the museum is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday.
Full details of the project can be found on the RSPB's new look Aren’t birds brilliant! website www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant Or, for more information on how to help birds of prey like the peregrine falcon visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey
For more information on the project, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/brilliant or for details of National Museum Cardiff opening times, please visit www.museumwales.ac.uk
Location
City Hall is located in Cardiff’s Civic Centre, just a 20-minute walk from Cardiff Central bus and train station. National Museum Cardiff can be found next door to City Hall. Entrance is free, thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government, and the museum is open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday.