A NEW family has settled in an unlikely place: on top of the tallest building in Reading.
A pair of Peregrine falcons have nested atop The Blade, after successfully hatching two falcon chicks.
The falcons pair and mate for life, and generally return to the same nesting spot every year.
First spotted in 2020, the pair constructed a nest on the roof of the building.
Shortly after, the falcons sadly lost the single egg that they produced during the 2020 mating season, and during 2021, they did not return to the nest.
In order to encourage their return, the team at The Blade sought expert advice, and a nesting box was installed, along with a camera to monitor them.
After ensuring that proper conditions were set for the pair, including making sure that the box was facing north as is preferred, the falcons returned a few days later.
Now they have successfully incubated two eggs, with two falcon chicks hatching and settled at the nest.
Nick Turner, Asset Manager at The Blade, said: “It’s been very exciting to see the Peregrines back this year, and many of our occupiers have been eagerly looking out for them as they come into the office.
“Our facilities team was hard at work earlier in the year, ensuring that the roof space was ready for the birds in the hope that they decided to return, so it’s been wonderful to see them choose The Blade’s roof to nest on once again.”
Peregrine falcons are now a protected species, as a result of culling and use of pesticides, with just 1,500 nesting pairs in the UK.
A webcam feed has been set up so that members of the public can watch the falcons’ progress as they rear their young at the nest, available at: thebladereading.com
