Injured Falcon Recovers After Rocky Ordeal

A peregrine falcon has been rescued after it was discovered stranded and injured on rocks near Brixham, Devon. A local fisherman found the bird in a waterlogged state and alerted a marine wildlife team. Experts believe the falcon, estimated to be a year old, may have been attacked by a dominant female peregrine or by fulmars, a type of seabird known to defend its territory by spitting oil.

The injured bird was transferred to raptor rehabilitators who noted superficial injuries and damaged feathers, likely sustained while scrambling on rocks. Despite being waterlogged and exhausted, the falcon was otherwise in good condition. Efforts are underway for its rehabilitation, with hopes of returning it to the wild if there are no complications. Peregrine falcons, now a protected species, faced significant population decline in the 1960s due to human persecution and pesticide impacts. Known for their incredible speed, they can reach up to 200 mph (322 km/h) in pursuit of prey.