Plym Bridge peregrine watch
Peregrine persecution
A quiet woodland just five miles from the centre of Plymouth is not the first place you would expect to encounter the fastest animal in the world. But, at the National Trust's Plymbridge Woods you can get up close and personal with the peregrine falcon, thought to reach speeds of up to 200km/h (124mph) as they dive to catch prey.
Peregrines have been breeding on the quarry face in Plymbridge for many years, but you don't need to scale the cliffs to see these feathered creatures close up. Instead, you can enjoy the birds from the safety of the national cycle route that runs from Plymouth to Dartmoor.
On the old Cann Viaduct, a team of volunteers are on hand every day to help people pick out the peregrines with the aid of telescopes and binoculars. There is also a large monitor which beams live pictures from a camera positioned above the peregrines' nest.
Each year a single pair of peregrines nest on the quarry face. Throughout May visitors can see the adult peregrines fetching food for the young and then in June this year's chicks will take to the air in their first tentative flights.
If you can't make it to Plymbridge yourself, then you can catch up with the exploits of the resident peregrines on the dedicated webcam at http://www.plym-peregrines.co.uk/.
Location: From the A38 at Marsh Mills flyover (near "the sails" outside Sainsbury's supermarket) take the dual carriageway away from the city and head to Plympton. Follow the signs to NT Plym Bridge. Park in the car park and walk along the cycleway to Cann Viaduct.
By bike or on foot: Join the Sustrans National Cycleway No 27 at B&Q car park at Marsh Mills. You will arrive at Cann Viaduct shortly after crossing the NT carpark at Plym Bridge.
Grid reference: SX525583
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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