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A Peregrine falcon sits on a ledge, with a clocktower in the background.

The University Peregrine Falcons

A Peregrine falcon sits on a ledge, with a clocktower in the background.

A pair of Peregrine Falcons have nested in Old Joe’s tower every year since 2013. Watch the livestream this Spring.

Please note: the livestream shows live footage of wild peregrine falcons, and there may be scenes of the birds hunting and eating.

Live Peregrine Falcon BirdCam - University of Birmingham

There are approximately only 1,800 pairs of Peregrine Falcons in the UK today, and the University is lucky to have one of those pairs consider our campus their preferred nesting spot.

Every springtime, like clockwork, any major activity on the University of Birmingham’s iconic Old Joe clocktower must pause and take a four-month break, including no access to the bell chamber, to allow the University’s resident peregrine falcons to take up their annual residence.

Between April and July, we are livestreaming the peregrine nest box (located at the top of Old Joe Clocktower) so our University community can see the falcons and, hopefully, their chicks.

Take a look at some key moments from this nesting season

  • A falcon stares directly to the camera from its nest.

    Tuesday 24 March

  • A peregrine falcon sits on its egg in its nest

    Tuesday 31 March

  • Two peregrine falcon eggs sit in a nest

    Thursday 2 April

  • A peregrine falcon sits in a nest with four eggs.

    Monday 13 April

How you can help protect Birmingham’s Peregrines

 

  • In the UK, Peregrines are what is known as Schedule 1 (S1) birds. This means that they are specially protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and the Wildlife (NI) order of 1985. It is therefore an offence to intentionally disturb these birds whilst they are building a nest, or in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young; or to disturb dependent young even if not in the nest. It is also an offence to intentionally harm any healthy bird. Any visit to the nest of a S1 species thus requires a special Schedule 1 licence which has to be issued by the British Trust for Ornithology prior to any activities. The two bird ringers involved with the project possess this licence.
  • When the chicks reach a certain age, (between 35-46 days from hatching), they start walking along the ledge and stretching their wings. As they do this, on occasion, they may fall and glide... finding themselves on the ground. As it’s their first flight, they often walk around the ground a bit afterwards. If you see this, inform University security and the Estates team. Keep your distance and not approach the bird without Security and/or a handler!
  • Off campus, if you see something you consider to be an ongoing offence first contact the police for an immediate response. You may also contact the RSPB Investigations directly via their confidential ‘Raptor Crime Hotline’ 0300 999 0101 but note this should ONLY be used if you have sensitive information specifically relating to the illegal targeting of birds of prey (raptor persecution).