by Emma Grove

egrove@thekmgroup.co.uk

A pair of one of the UK's rarest birds are nesting and breeding in a secret location near Sittingbourne.

Keen falconer Dave Green spotted the peregrine falcons last year and soon realised they would need assistance to encourage them to stay and breed successfully.

Where he found them was not the ideal spot as their natural habitat tends to be upland and coastal areas.

Mr Green, local area manager for NBC Bird and Pest Solutions Ltd, together with the land owners, created a custom-made nesting pan from the base of a 45 gallon drum filled with pea shingle. This was placed close to the original site.

Because the birds are so rare in Britain, they have become a target for criminals who steal their eggs to supply to collectors or the falconry trade.

In the 1960s there were only 360 breeding pairs in existence, compared to 1,402 now.

Mr Green contacted the police and Natural England for help in assisting the birds and the police installed special movement cameras, offering 24-hour protection.

Settled into their man-made nest, the peregrines laid the first of four eggs on March 29 this year and around a month later the eggs hatched and all four chicks were reared by both parents.

They were closely monitored until they were old enough to be ringed and since then, they have fledged and are being taught to hunt by their parents.

Experts from Natural England have also weighed the birds and taken DNA samples.

Once the young have matured, they will take off to find their own territories.

Because the current nesting site is not ideal, a purpose-built box has been placed close by to encourage the birds to remain and breed.

Mr Green said: "I knew in order to maximise the birds' chances of breeding successfully, I would need to ensure they were protected."

Peregrines and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and penalties for taking or disturbing the birds or their eggs, carry a heavy fine – or even a custodial sentence.

It is to protect the birds that the exact location of their nest is being kept secret.