The peregrine falcons in the tower building at London Met [Photos: London Metropolitan University]

PEREGRINE falcons are breeding after settling in Holloway.

Experts believe the hooked-beast wonders have been feeding on luckless pigeons in north London and now feel comfortable enough to nest and lay eggs. They have been monitored after appearing at London Metropolitan University’s Tower building.

Stuart Harrington, co-founder of the London Peregrine Partnership, said a pair of falcons first showed interest in the site near Holloway Road in 2017.

Explaining the complicated connections, he said:“A two-year old female which hatched in a nest near the Thames in south-east London took over the site in 2018 and the following year the pair raised three young. This pair bred each year until 2024, when a new female ousted the resident bird in late March.”

He added: “The new female paired up with the resident male and together they raised two young which fledged in July.”

Mr Harrington said tall, isolated buildings like the one at London Met are the ideal home for peregrines. He added: “They make a good substitute for the cliff faces used by peregrines in coastal areas of the UK, however not many have suitable conditions for nesting. Peregrines are highly territorial and will usually return to the nest site when they have bred successfully.”

The birds have been known to nest in St Pancras station building during winter.

Mr Harrington said: “During the 1950s populations of peregrines dropped to dangerous levels as a result of pesticide use. They have since bounced back and moved to urban areas. Fifty years ago they were a rare sight in the UK.

“It’s a privilege to now be able to see them in busy urban areas like Holloway Road.”

You can watch a live stream on the London Met Falcon cam here: https://hml.londonmet.ac.uk/Live/34