Northerly dispersal trends in a lowland population of Peregrines Falco peregrinus in southwest England

Abstract

ABSTRACT Little is known about the post-natal dispersal of Peregrines Falco peregrinus from lowland areas of England. We used the resighting and recovery data from 66 Peregrine nestlings (34 females, 32 males) colour-ringed in the southwest of England to outline their reported dispersal movements. Our results revealed that Peregrines, in particular females, disperse in a north-northeasterly direction, with females being resighted at greater distances than males. Males were resighted a mean of 44 km from their natal site and females significantly further (mean 117 km). Despite more recent local and regional declines in some areas of their UK range, Peregrines have been increasing at a national level in England and extending their breeding range into new areas. Our results indicate that Peregrines have the potential to continue occupying suitable vacant habitats across the UK. Dispersing birds from the southwest of England are potentially helping to increase the breeding population of Peregrines in other areas where they have been absent or scarce for many years.