Birds of Lake District National Park UK

A powerful cliff-nesting raptor that hunts by high-speed stoop, often taking medium-sized birds in flight. In the Lake District it prefers craggy fells and quarry faces near valleys and lakes where it uses thermal uplifts to hunt.

Look for a large falcon silhouette with long pointed wings and thick neck, dark 'moustache' markings on a pale face, and dramatic high-speed stoops. Plumage varies by age—immatures are browner and streaked.

Common Confusions

• Merlin Falco columbarius Much smaller and more falcon-like in wingbeat; merlins show faster wingbeats and lack the peregrine’s heavy, broad wings and strong head profile.
• Hobby Falco subbuteo More slender with longer-looking wings and a habit of catching insects on the wing; lacks the peregrine’s bulky head and broad shoulders.
• Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Hovers regularly and has a more fluttering wingbeat; much smaller and often perches on posts rather than stooping from high cliffs.
• Goshawk Accipiter gentilis More rounded wings and long tail with rapid direct flight through trees; goshawks are bulkier and show a different silhouette in straight flight.
• Swift Apus apus Smaller, scythe-shaped wings and very fast continuous flight; swifts lack the peregrine’s heavy body and head.