Peregrine Falcons are nesting on our office roof
Our company name is Peregrine Cloud, which is named after the Peregrine Falcon, a bird for whom the owners have a healthy respect. It was a very pleasant surprise to find that Peregrine Falcons are nesting on our office roof.
The Peregrine Falcon is truly an amazing animal. It is the fastest member of the animal kingdom and its streamlined body, powerful muscles and swept-back wing shape are perfect for fast flight. During level flight, with motion generated by wing-beats alone, they can reach speeds between 40-60 mph. This is one of the fastest known speeds for level flight with only a few species of duck, wader and pigeon known to reach similar speeds in comparable flight.
However, in a stoop (or dive) used whilst hunting, recordings have been made of birds exceeding an amazing 240 mph!! The forces that the peregrine is exposed to during a stoop are mind boggling. What makes it even more fascinating is that at the end of the stoop, this unique raptor is still able to deliver a controlled blow to its prey and to carry away the unfortunate victim. To see with your own eyes the speeds it can achieve in a short distance is an awesome spectacle and we’d recommend anyone to make the effort to see them in action if they get the chance.
Peregrines prefer open landscapes, but are increasingly exploiting towns and cities where there are tall buildings for nesting and plenty of pigeons for prey. We love the fact that Peregrine Falcons are nesting and bringing up their young on the roof of our own office, Export House in Woking. A certain business owner can often be found looking up at the office building, but he’s not checking out the office, he’s looking for Peregrines!!
If you don’t believe the stories about the incredible speed of the Peregrine Falcon, then watch the embedded video (from National Geographic Channel) of a falcon being clocked at incredible diving speeds!
This is a link to the original National Geographic Channel web page which featured the video.