Baby peregrine falcons re-released into the wild

A wildlife rescue charity rescued, rehabilitated and released six juvenile peregrine falcons.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue in Highbridge, Somerset, said it had seen an "unprecedented influx" of young falcons this year.

The charity said each rescue involved a unique set of challenges, from cliffs and construction sites to power stations and city rooftops.

Charlotte Wroe, release coordinator for the charity, said: "To give six of them a second chance at life in the wild is a powerful reminder of the importance of wildlife rescue and the incredible results that can be achieved through collaboration."

The first arrival was a female from Weston-super-Mare Quarry, admitted with a swollen shoulder.

The charity found she had two siblings and both parents waiting for her in their cliff top nest. After nine days of rest and pain relief, the chick was well enough to be returned to her family.

Secret World said one of the most dramatic rescues was at Hinkley Point Power Station B, where three fledglings from a specially-built nesting platform were attacked by protective gulls while attempting their maiden flights.

The peregrine falcons were rehabilitated and returned to the nest, where they were reunited with their attentive mother.

Several of the birds were fitted with coloured monitoring rings, giving conservationists hope of tracking their progress and survival.

"These birds face an incredibly high mortality rate during their juvenile phase," Ms Wroe explained.

"Learning to hunt at speeds of up to 200mph while catching and killing birds mid-air is an intense and dangerous training regime that they must go through with their parents."

Secret World has just admitted a seventh Peregrine Falcon - from Bristol.

It is being assessed and cared for by its Wildlife Care Team, with the charity hoping to release it back into the wild as soon as possible.

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