Peregrine Falcons Soar Over Abandoned Bradford Silk Mill

In 2025, over a quarter-century after Manningham Mills in Bradford, England shuttered its operations, the once-bustling industrial complex has transformed into an unexpected wildlife haven. The 76-meter Lister's Pride chimney, a remnant of the former silk mill, now serves as a nesting site for a pair of peregrine falcons that have made the area their home.

The arrival of the peregrines, an Asian subspecies known as the shaheen, is particularly fitting given Manningham's history as the heart of Bradford's British-Pakistani community. For decades, the mills were sustained by migrant Pakistani labor, and now these birds of prey have found a new perch atop the iconic structure.

The presence of the peregrines is thanks in part to the remarkable work of local volunteers, who funded the installation of a nesting tray on the chimney to support the falcons' breeding efforts. This community-driven initiative is just one aspect of the mills' transformation, as the once-derelict complex has also become a haven for other wildlife, including pigeons, gulls, and lush vegetation.

Wandering through the overgrown grounds, one can find hart's-tongue ferns thriving in the basements and foxes weaving through the weeds. The juxtaposition of nature reclaiming the industrial ruins creates a striking visual, a testament to the resilience of the natural world and the enduring spirit of the Manningham community.