Rescued chicks fly into the wild

Two peregrine chicks rescued from a nest near Cannock in the West Midlands after their parents were killed in illegal traps have successfully flown the nest.

The pair were placed in separate foster nests in Shropshire early last month, well away from the Cannock and Dudley areas where several illegal traps have been found at peregrine breeding sites. Both were immediately accepted by their foster parents, to the delight of the RSPB officers and volunteers from the Shropshire Peregrine Group.

Licensed raptor workers from the Shropshire Peregrine Group continued to monitor both nests until the birds left last week.

John Turner, a volunteer with the Shropshire Peregrine Group said: "We were overjoyed that both chicks were successfully adopted by their new foster families.

"Then we were absolutely over the moon to find out that they had left their nests a week ago.

"Although we are celebrating this successful rescue operation with the RSPB, we know that these birds will be under threat from illegal persecution for their entire lives."

RSPB investigations officer Guy Shorrock, who was involved in the operation, said: "We are really pleased that the two orphaned peregrines have fledged their foster nests and that the healthy youngsters are now roaming the skies over the West Midlands.

"This is the first time we have used stand-in peregrine parents to rear orphan chicks in the country.

"We are very thankful to the competent and devoted volunteers from the Shropshire Peregrine Group.

"The group members watched the nests every day to make sure that no harm happened to the chicks which had already had a rough start to their young lives."

Despite being protected by law, peregrines and other birds of prey are still the victims of trapping, shooting and poisoning.

In May, the RSPB launched a campaign to stamp out the illegal killing of birds of prey.

Anyone with information about who is responsible for setting the illegal bird traps should telephone either West Midlands Police on 0845 113 5000, Staffordshire Police on 08453 302010 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.