falcons

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Peregrine falcons in Rochdale

Peregrine falcons have been nesting outside the clock tower at Rochdale Town Hall since 2008. The birds have attracted considerable public interest and they're regularly seen soaring above Rochdale town centre hunting for food. We built a nesting area for the birds in 2008 to help provide them a safe haven to sleep, breed and raise their young. As the tallest building in Rochdale town centre, the town hall reflects the peregrine's natural habitat to breed and hunt prey.

Our award winning Revealing the Roch project was praised for renaturalising the river and helping to bring wildlife back to the town centre. More about Revealing the Roch.

Live Rochdale Town Hall webcam

Please note: to help better manage costs, the live webcam will only be streamed around March-August which is when the falcons are nesting.

You can see the birds' progress throughout the nesting period as they raise their young at the top of Rochdale's most historic building. Our live webcam is being viewed thousands of times every week, captivating people from across the UK and beyond.

We're aware of an issue when trying to switch the webcam to full screen on some browsers. Our supplier is aware of the issue. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

As well as the live webcam, you can follow the birds' progress using the Twitter hashtag #rochfalcons or on Facebook. You can also join the chat on the RSPB website.

Nesting period

The birds are most active at the start of the breeding season from March. Egg-laying typically occurs by the end of March to early April with hatching usually occurring during the first week of May.

Falcon facts

In May 2019 3 young chicks hatched and were ringed on Thursday, 23 May 2019 by the British Trust for Ornithology. The ringing is undertaken safely, and within the law, by qualified experts. It enables them to keep track of the birds over the coming months and years.
Peregrines are the world's fastest living creatures, often reaching speeds of 200mph in stoop.
They feed off medium-sized birds, such as wading birds, pigeons and small ducks.
60 years ago the birds nearly died out across the northern hemisphere. The numbers recovered and there are estimated to be 1,500 breeding pairs in the UK.
Peregrines are increasingly found breeding on tall buildings in towns and cities, as well as on ledges and cliffs. The peregrine is afforded the highest degree of legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
It's an offence to intentionally take, injure or kill a peregrine or to take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young. It's also an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds close to their nest during the breeding season. Violation of the law can attract fines up to £5000 per offence and/or a prison sentence of up to 6 months.

Winners of the 'Name the falcon chicks competition'

Thanks to everyone who's entered the 'Name the falcon chick' competition. The winning falcon chick names are:

Year	Names of falcon chicks	Winners
2019	Pegasus	Sharon Hilton
2019	Tweety Pioneer	David Hopwood
2019	Swoop Dogg	Class 5 at St Peter's RC Primary School, Middleton
2018	BuckBeak	Class 4 at Smithy Bridge Primary School
2018	Striker	Graham Dorgan
2018	Kevin Beakon	Siobhan Griffith
2017	Freddie	Sarah Pugh
2017	Millennium Falcon	James Walsh
2017	El Superfasto	Alistair Whitehead
2017	Perrie	Class 12 at Smithy Bridge Primary School