Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Peregrine is the world's fastest animal in a stoop and the Sefton Coast's wader flocks attract them regularly. Watching a Peregrine put 20,000 Knot to flight and then pick one out of the panicking flock is breathtaking. They've recovered well since organochlorine pesticides were banned and are now resident near several Lancashire towns, with birds ranging out to the coast to hunt. A single stoop can scatter every wader on the marsh.
At a Glance
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Habitat | Open coast · Coastal marsh · Estuary |
| Diet | Medium-sized birds — waders, ducks, pigeons; stoops at up to 240mph |
| UK population | Around 1,800 breeding pairs — fully recovered since organochlorine pesticide bans |
| Sefton Coast | Regular visitor; several birds range across the Sefton Coast in winter |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Anywhere along the Sefton Coast. Marshside RSPB is a good bet. They hunt over the beach, dunes and marsh.
Identification
Medium-large falcon. Blue-grey above, pale below with dark barring. Dark moustache. Pointed wings. Stoops at extreme speed with wings half-folded.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Watch for sudden panic in wader or duck flocks — that's usually a Peregrine. Check fence posts and structures for perching birds.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species is on the UK Green List, indicating a healthy population status in the UK context. It remains an important component of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can a Peregrine Falcon stoop?
A Peregrine's stoop (power dive) can reach speeds of 240mph (390kph), making it the fastest animal on Earth. On the Sefton Coast you can watch stoops over wader flocks — a sudden explosion of 10,000 birds taking to the air usually means a Peregrine is hunting.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.