RETURN OF THE RAPTORS
09.05.07
At over 200mph…we enter the territory of the world's fastest animal…the Peregrine falcon… Keep up with the adventure…
Beginning in the spring of 2007…the BBC Northern Ireland has teamed up with the Quarry Products Association (QPANI) and the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group (NIRSG) to bring you the story of two families of peregrine falcons as they raise their chicks.
The quarry industry provides essential materials for Northern Ireland's roads and buildings, supplying 24 million tonnes of aggregate products per year and the raw materials to build 12 000 homes…. these quarries additionally provide homes for 40% of the peregrine population in Northern Ireland. The peregrine numbers once decimated by toxins in the food chain have now recovered and they thrive in these man-made environments, breeding new generations of the earth's fastest predator. Webcams will capture every moment of the Peregrine chicks' development from hatching to their first faltering flight and all these images will be streamed to an interactive BBC Northern Ireland website, so you will not miss a thing. The web site will also provide a valuable educational resource for pupils and teachers in its "Teachers' Zone".
Webcams will be placed at two Peregrine nesting quarries, Patrick Bradleys Ltd in Kilrea and Cemex (NI) Ltd in Carrowdore. Audiences can keep up with the adventure online, via weekly BBC Radio Ulster updates and in two television specials on BBC One Northern Ireland in the spring and autumn…and don't forget to check the websites for exciting raptor competitions.
The first programme will be broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland Friday 11th May 2007.
The Raptor Study Group and Natural Research Ltd have provided expertise, in locating nest sites and continual monitoring of the nest at which the webcams have been installed and provided information for the website. We await with anticipation the amount of information that can be discovered from the cameras on peregrine biology during the nesting period. Already it appears the male at one of the quarries has a ring on his leg and we will be able to find out all about his history…..watch this space to find out more.
Please note that visiting raptor nests requires a licence and you should not approach a raptor nest without finding out about the licencing process. Please contact us for more information 
. For more information on quarries and the dangers of playing in them check out: www.qpani.org
DOWNLOADABLE "RETURN OF THE RAPTORS" FLIER
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