Photo: Erik van Dijk | Unsplash
Webcams in Scotland and England let people follow nesting birds of prey from home. What began during the lockdown has turned into a national obsession–with almost 30 live webcams on peregrine nests alone. Britain’s birds of prey–once persecuted to the brink of extinction – are enjoying a golden summer. Once rare, there are now 250 breeding pairs of osprey and last week came the first osprey chick to hatch on the south coast of England for more than 200 years. The red kite, which almost died out, is now found across the UK. Peregrines, too, have made a comeback. Thirty-plus pairs currently nest in London and peregrines are breeding in almost every UK city. Buzzards are now the commonest bird of prey. Once rare marsh harriers now breed on wetlands all over the UK. And white-tailed eagles thrive on the Isle of Wight. Birders hope watching raptors will reduce older prejudices against them, and keep them safe.
|
|
More:
