The recent postings by Ian and Paul on the subject of peregrine strikes in
urban environments remind me of observations I made in 1980 while I was
working on Level 50 in the MLC Centre (in the middle of Sydney CBD). I was
alone in the office for much of the time and to alleviate boredom I had a
pair of binoculars in the office. I had observed a peregrine on top of the
American Express building which was a good vantage-point for Darling Harbour
at that time. The peregrine would take off and target single pigeons flying
over the water. The impact was quite spectacular with a mass of falling
feathers as evidence of success (from the peregrine's point of view, of
course). This was a regular occurrence several time a week. The peregrine
would then bring its prey back to the American Express rooftop. I wonder if
they ever nested on any city buildings. I have heard of this overseas and,
certainly in the City of London where I was working many years ago,
kestrels would be a regular nesting feature on old buildings.
Cilla Quested
|
