Peregrine Falcon

As a child, Peregrine seemed like a near-mythical beast. Extraordinarily rare, a creature of wild places. Of course, I had read that it was the fastest bird on the planet and its illustration was in every wildlife and science related book I could find. With a vision of speed I imagined the Peregrine to be a slender lithe 'racing-snake' of a bird. I remember vividly when I did, finally, come across my first real Peregrine being stunned by its beauty, but also very surprised at its stockiness and size. It was apparent to me in that moment that a Peregrine's speed derived entirely from sheer power.

From those rare and fleeting encounters in earlier years to a situation where Peregrine's now share our urban centres with us this is a bird that has always fascinated me, and never failed to impress when I happen upon one. So, here is a book to sate any Peregrine lovers. Written by Patrick Stirling-Aird, a man with some 40 years of experience working with and watching these birds, the book looks at Peregrine's place in the falcon family and then investigates in depth the species biology, lavishly illustrated throughout. One hopeful chapter near the end was not just entitled 'Future Threats' but, tellingly 'Future Threats and Opportunities'. It is good, sometimes, not to be too dark in our outlook for wildlife - that a top predator can adapt to live, seemingly at ease, in our cities, must give us hope.