Peregrine Falcon's have bred on Copinsay for the first time since 1986 with a single chick on the wing by Saturday 26th May. Both adult birds were in attendance, alarming constantly to inform the chick of my presence. I managed a ropey shot of the juvenile, which is still showing traces of down on the head, nape and mantle. Lorna Dow observed an alarming adult bird on 29th April - this was the first indication that a pair was perhaps in residence. The date is remarkably early for this species so far north. The pair would have had a full clutch of eggs by the end of March!!  The youngster was looking slightly stained in Fulmar oil, which is an experience many Peregrine chicks have to face around coastal sites when learning to fly. Fingers crossed it survives and that the pair settle for many more years to come...
Recently fledged Peregrine chick on Copinsay 26th May, 2012 - A.J.Leitch