The property market may be in a slump but this has not stopped Manchester’s most famous birds of prey from moving to a new home to raise their new family.
After four years nesting in a secret location in the city centre, the Manchester peregrines have now taken up residence in a 
penthouse-style nest on a high-up ledge on our very own Grade II-listed CIS Tower, where their two chicks hatched last month.
At 118 metres tall, the CIS Tower – home of The Co-operative Financial Services, which is the second highest building in Manchester – is a natural choice of home for the birds who favour living at high altitudes.
Rod Bulmer, Managing Director, Retail, The Co-operative Financial Services, said: “We fitted a special housing nest to encourage the peregrines to move in five years ago and we were very happy to hear our efforts have finally paid off. All of us at The Co-operative are really pleased to offer the peregrines a home and hope this will be the first of many broods we see in the building.”
The two chicks took their first flights earlier this week but yesterday, in a very sad turn of events, the RSPB received the news that a dead peregrine had been found on a pavement near the CIS Tower.
Clare Reed, the RSPB’s Manchester People Engagement Manager, who runs the Manchester Peregrines Date with Nature project said: “We think that the poor thing was taking its first flight when it collided with a window. It probably got confused when, mistaking the reflection in a window for the sky."
The young female peregrine, which appeared to have a broken neck, was identified as one of the Manchester chicks by its unique British Trust For Ornithology ring, which had been attached last month.
However, the remaining chick has also been spotted this week, taking to the skies with Mum and Dad.
Peregrines are the jet fighters of the bird world and are listed in Guinness World Records as the world’s fastest animal with a flight speed of more than 200 miles per hour.
Visitors, shoppers and commuters in Manchester can now watch these spectacular birds fly above the city centre at a special peregrine view point in Exchange Square.
Staff and volunteers from the RSPB will be on hand with power telescopes and binoculars everyday (weather/location availability permitting) from 11am to 6pm until the chicks fledge in early July.
Keep up to date with the latest news on the peregrines and other stories at www.goodwithmoney.co.uk
Photo credits: Adrian Dancy