Peregrine in Kildare?

baaba maal

Hi

I saw what appeared to be peregrine flying near me here near Prosperous in Kildare- is this possible? I have only seen them twice before- once at Glendalough and the other was on the west coast. I find it odd that I might see one here though. It was a medium to large raptor (smaller than a buzzard and bigger than a sparrowhawk), doing slow spirals quite high up on thermals (I was using binocs, so deffo not buzzard or kite, but sun was quite strong so couldn't see detail).
I'm guessing the young ones have to find new territory but this is very flat, boggy ground and I didn't think they would hunt over such areas. We have buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel and I saw a hobby once- would love to know if I have seen a peregrine here too.
Anyhow, this may seem a basic question to more experienced wildlife enthusiasts, but I would appreciate any opinions.:)

Birdnuts

baaba maal wrote: »

Hi

I saw what appeared to be peregrine flying near me here near Prosperous in Kildare- is this possible? I have only seen them twice before- once at Glendalough and the other was on the west coast. I find it odd that I might see one here though. It was a medium to large raptor (smaller than a buzzard and bigger than a sparrowhawk), doing slow spirals quite high up on thermals (I was using binocs, so deffo not buzzard or kite, but sun was quite strong so couldn't see detail).
I'm guessing the young ones have to find new territory but this is very flat, boggy ground and I didn't think they would hunt over such areas. We have buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel and I saw a hobby once- would love to know if I have seen a peregrine here too.
Anyhow, this may seem a basic question to more experienced wildlife enthusiasts, but I would appreciate any opinions.:)

Peregrines range very widely outside the breeding season so its entirely possible is was one - indeed many spend the winter months on estuaries, rough grassland, lakes etc. well away from their breeding sites.

baaba maal

Cool- I'll take that as a 'yes' then!!:)
My birdwatcing skills are fairly basic (warblers confuse the hell out of me!), but with something so rare and beautiful it really is good to be able to at least have a reasonable stab at identifying it.

Thanks for replying.

cuddlycavies

They have a pretty wide range from nesting area. I know of quarries in Kildare and Offaly where they nest.

dodderangler

There is a pair of them across road from my house and they go some distance if see them at least once or twice a month
Absolutely beautiful birds

cuddlycavies

dodderangler wrote: »

There is a pair of them across road from my house and they go some distance if see them at least once or twice a month
Absolutely beautiful birds

You're up mount seskin so?

cuddlycavies

In Kildare the hill of allen probabably has a pair as does Behans Kill and maybe Kilmeague near prosperous. Merlins also fairly plentiful

Birdnuts

cuddlycavies wrote: »

You're up mount seskin so?

Its probably best not to publisize exact locations for obvious reasons

dodderangler

Birdnuts wrote: »

cuddlycavies wrote: »

You're up mount seskin so?

Its probably best not to publize exact locations for obvious reasons

Dead right birdnuts
I won't give the location of where I seen them
As a falconer myself I'm well aware of the people on this
Some can be trusted others definately not
If I caught a rake load of pike I wouldn't give exact location of the spot as its be fished out
As for birds of prey I wouldn't give the location as certain people( won't mention them but falconers know who they are) will kill them as they find them a threat
But they are in part of Dublin and not near a mountain trust me it's near a busy road

baaba maal

Thanks for the replies and advice about locations!

I'll be keeping a look out for them in the future alright......:D

peabean

Hi
There is a family of buzzards just outside of prosperous. They have been there for the last 6 years. Park rangers have tagged them and are watching them.