Peregrine Falcons in Dumfries and Galloway

Peregrine FalconThe fastest animal in the world, peregrines can reach speeds of up to 250 miles per hour in their hunting ‘stoop’. Their main prey consists of birds, but they will also sometimes take small mammals. The peregrine is a large, blue-grey falcon, with a barred breast, a black head and ‘moustache’, and a yellow beak. The female is considerably larger than the male, with less conspicuous colouring. The peregrine often looks like the shape of an anchor in flight.

The rocky sea cliffs of the west of Dumfries and Galloway are a good place to view peregrines, with pairs inhabiting territories at the Mull of Galloway and at Dunskey Castle outside Portpatrick. Peregrines are resident all year round.