The Norwich Peregrines - Falco peregrinus

The Norwich peregrines are large and powerful falcons. That have long, broad, pointed wings and a relatively short tail.They are blue-grey above, with a blackish top of the head and an obvious black 'moustache' that contrasts with its white face. Their breasts is finely spotted. They are swift and agile in flight, chasing prey. The strongholds of the breeding birds in the UK are the uplands of the north and west and rocky seacoasts. In recent years they have taken to nesting on tall city centre buildings.

Peregrines have been a target for egg collectors, but better legal protection and control of pesticides (which indirectly poisoned birds) have helped the population to recover considerably from a low in the 1960s. Some birds, particularly females and juveniles, move away from the uplands in autumn.

Plummeting daylight meteor
Hurtling from on high
Avian arrow
Let loose from Apollo's bow

No human invention can exceed your device
Nor eclipse your beautiful motion
No aria, no symphony
No painting, no scuplture
Can evoke such soaring emotion

Mike Michaels

I would like to dedicate today's blip (mother and chicks on Norwich Cathedral spire) to a good Norfolk friend (J) who walks though streets below the Norwich peregrines most days and who maybe unaware of the magical hunters above her head!