‘I’ve known some of these peregrines for 15 years’: protecting Scotland’s raptors – in pictures

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The fastest birds in the world, peregrine falcons are sought after for racing and can sell for up to £250,000 in the Middle East. Poaching is a constant threat, with eggs and chicks stolen to supply the hidden market. Now, there are nationwide efforts under way to ring and take DNA from wild chicks – but just reaching their nests can be perilous

Main image: Raptor expert George Smith ringing a peregrine chick

  • George Smith frees a peregrine he has trapped on its nest, while ecologist Rebecca Dickson records its data. Smith is a peregrine coordinator with Lothian and Borders Raptor Study Group, which covers a large area of central and southern Scotland. Throughout the nesting season his evenings and weekends are spent with the raptors. ‘I’ve known some of these peregrines for 15 years and I think they probably recognise me’
    Raptor expert George Smith holds a captive peregrine falcon, with its wings outstretched, by its feet, while ecologist Rebecca records the bird's data.

  • Smith begins each season by checking which falcons have returned and to which sites. Once they have settled in and produced eggs he abseils down to the nest to trap the adult bird
    A man abseiling down into a disused quarry, seen from above.

  • To catch an adult peregrine, a special trap is placed on top of its nest. Captured birds are ringed and in some cases microchipped and a DNA sample is taken to ensure wild-caught birds can be identified on the illicit market. Once the data gathering is complete the falcon is released
    A circular trap of twisted wire and twine of the type used to catch an adult peregrine falcon in its nest

  • To avoid eggs being damaged by the trapped birds, Smith replaces them with fakes. Once the data gathering is complete the real eggs are returned to the nest
    Fake peregrine falcon eggs are used to prevent damage by trapped birds. Once the data gathering is complete the eggs are returned to the nest

  • Once a peregrine is chipped, a microchip reader in the nest will provide information about the birds’ movements, for example the frequency and ratio of visits by the male and female parents
    A man in climbing gear holds a peregrine falcon with outstretched wings

  • According to the National Wildlife Crime Unit, racing falcons can fetch as much as £250,000 in the Middle East
    Peregrine falcon being held by its feet.

  • Smith with a variety of racing pigeon rings he has recovered from peregrine falcon nests – leg bones are still visible in some. His haul includes one from the late queen’s pigeon loft – a royal racing bird outrun and eaten
    Cupped hands filled with racing pigeon rings recovered from peregrine falcon nests, leg bones are still visible in some

  • A clutch of four-week-old chicks get a little animated before being ringed and DNA swabbed. The DNA can be used to support police investigations and prosecutions
    A clutch of four-week old peregrine falcon chicks in their nest

  • One of the chicks tries to hide in a rock cleft as Smith approaches
    Peregrine falcon chick tries to hide in a rock cleft

  • In recent years Operation Tantallon, the UK’s biggest wildlife crime police investigation, has led to prosecutions and convictions for the alleged theft and smuggling of wild peregrines in Scotland and northern England. The data gathered by Smith and his colleagues forms the forensic bedrock – leading to more than 3,000 active inquiries
    A peregrine falcon in distant flight against a blue sky

  • Peregrines often nest in inaccessible places – quarry cliffs or cathedral roofs – so getting to them is dangerous. George sits on a ledge in a quarry and records the details of a clutch of four-week-old chicks he has ringed and DNA swabbed
    A man in climbing gear sits on a ledge in a quarry and records the details of a clutch of four-week-old peregrine falcon chicks

  • Smith ringing peregrine chicks on a cliff ledge while roped to a tree above
    Raptor expert George Smith ringing peregrine chicks on a cliff ledge while roped to a tree above

  • The United Arab Emirates is the largest importer of live raptors. Captive-bred peregrine falcons can be legally sold but wild birds are protected – to take eggs or chicks, sell the birds or keep them in captivity is a serious crime
    Peregrine falcon's head in profile

  • Dickson releases a peregrine after collecting its data
    Ecologist Rebecca releases a peregrine falcon into the blue sky after collecting its data
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