Peregrine falcon dies taking first flight in Manchester

The young peregrines hatched on the CIS Tower

One of two young peregrine falcons that hatched on top of a Manchester skyscraper has died taking its maiden flight.

On Wednesday 23 June, the RSPB learned that a dead peregrine had been found on the pavement near the CIS Tower, where the birds have been nesting.

The young female peregrine, which appeared to have a broken neck, was later identified as one of the Manchester chicks by a special identity ring, which had been attached at the end of last month.

Peregrines ringed on skyscraper

Clare Reed, the RSPB's Manchester People Engagement Officer said the juvenile bird appeared to have had an unfortunate accident.

"We think the poor thing was taking its first flight when it collided with a window," she said.

It probably got confused and mistook the reflection in a window for the sky. Clare Reed, RSPB

"It probably got confused and mistook the reflection in a window for the sky."

On a brighter note, RSPB staff and volunteers at the Date with Nature viewpoint in Exchange Square spotted the other peregrine chick taking its maiden flight together with its parents.

Visitors, shoppers and commuters in Manchester can watch the peregrines in Exchange Square daily from 11am to 6pm until the surviving chick leaves in early July.

The Manchester Peregrine project is run as part of the RSPB's Date with Nature programme of events, which make rare and spectacular birds accessible for everyone to see.

RSPB and the peregrines

• Up to the 4 July 2010, the RSPB will be showing the Manchester peregrines to the public through its Date with Nature project in Exchange Square.
• In their first year, volunteers spoke to 10,000 people, helping passers-by spot the birds and getting them to sign the RSPB's Bird of Prey pledge.
• The birds are now quite famous, having been featured on BBC's The One Show, North West Tonight with a live webcam feed shown on the BBC's Big Screen.
• There is another nesting pair of peregrines at Dove Stones reservoir near Saddleworth where RSPB staff will be on hand from April to August to provide help and advice.