Name the peregrine falcon chicks

The three chicks

Rochdale’s famed peregrine falcons have hatched three chicks this year, and a contest has been launched to name them.

Four young falcons hatched last year and judges chose from hundreds of suggestions to name the chicks ‘Millennium Falcon’, ‘Freddie’, ‘El Superfasto’ and ‘Perrie’.

All the birds survived – despite a life-threatening fall from the nest box for Millennium - and are reported to be thriving. 

The birds have been ringed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), so their progress can be followed as they fledge before flying the nest around July 2018.

The ringing is undertaken safely, and within the law, by qualified experts. It enables the RSPB to keep track of the birds over the coming months and years.

The birds are most active at the start of the breeding season from February and March with egg-laying typically occurring by the end of March to early April.

Hatching usually takes place during the first week of May. Once hatched, the chicks are likely to take their first flight within six weeks.

One of around 1,500 breeding pairs across the UK, falcons have nested at the clock tower of the Grade-I listed building for more than a decade and are regularly seen soaring above the town centre as they hunt for food. 

As the tallest building in Rochdale town centre, the Town Hall reflects the birds’ natural habitat to breed and hunt prey. A nesting area was built for the birds, helping to provide them a safe haven to sleep, breed and raise their young.

Reaching speeds of up to 200mph during dives to catch prey, peregrine falcons are the fastest animals in the world. Although they are commonly found living and hunting in open countryside, they are increasingly being spotted in towns and cities where tall buildings provide plenty of nesting opportunities and pigeons to feed on.

Send your suggestions to Rochdale Borough Council:

• Email: falcons@rochdale.gov.uk
• Post: Name the falcon chicks competition, Communications Team, Floor Three, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU.

Full terms and conditions

• The promoter is Rochdale Borough Council, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU.
• Entry is open to residents of the UK except employees, members (and their families) of Rochdale Borough Council.
• The competition closes for entries at midnight on Wednesday 6 June 2018. After this time no further entries will be considered.
• Up to three winners will each receive a prize of afternoon tea for two at Rochdale Town Hall Clock Tower Dining Room and a short tour of Rochdale Town Hall lasting up to one hour. Children up to the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Each winner will be notified by the same media they entered the competition.
• The winners will be notified by Wednesday 13 June 2018.
• Prizes to be redeemed by Friday 14 December 2018.
• The prizes are non-transferrable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
• Should there be multiple entries with the same winning name the winner will be chosen at random.
• Rochdale Borough Council reserves the right to modify or withdraw the competition at any time and alter the winning entries without the need for permission.
• No responsibility can be accepted for entries lost, damaged or delayed in the post, or due to computer error in transit.
• The winner(s) agree(s) to the use of their name and photograph and literature by Rochdale Borough Council in any post-winning publicity.
• Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
• The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into over this decision.