From Bromley to Richmond Park – a Peregrine Falcon’s Journey

Photo taken 17 April 2026 at Upper Pen Ponds by Nigel Jackman

Bird ringing involves placing a lightweight, uniquely numbered metal ring around a bird’s leg. This ring is a reliable and harmless method of identifying individual birds. When these individuals are caught again, essential information is gained about how long they live, and how they move and migrate. This knowledge is important for bird conservation.

For many years an accredited bird ringer has ringed young water birds and sand martins at Pen Ponds. One bird that he ringed elsewhwere was a male Peregrine chick at Bickley, Bromley on 25th May 2023. The same bird has been identified from its ring as the Peregrine observed for some months now in Richmond Park, often perched in the birch and oak trees at the fringe of Pond Plantation overlooking Upper Pen Pond. Peregrines are described as the fastest birds on earth when they go into their stoop (diving sometimes at more than 200mph) in pursuit of prey, and this particular bird is often seen feeding on a parakeet or other catch.

Spring Bird Count

The Richmond Park Bird Group’s annual Spring Bird Count took place in favourable conditions on 26 April, when enthusiasts scoured the Park to identify as many species as possible on the day. Run since 2015, last year’s record count of 77 was eclipsed with an unexpectedly high total of 88. As well as more common species, this number included Spotted Redshank, Teal, Common Sandpiper, Water Rail, Common Tern, Yellow-legged Gull, Hobby, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Raven, Cuckoo, Northern Wheatear, Whinchat, Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Pheasant, Linnet, Siskin, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swift, Swallow, Kingfisher, Stonechat, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and  Yellow Wagtail.

Marvellous Migrants and Remarkable Residents

With spring in the park seeing migrant birds arriving, its a great time to watch our film Marvellous Migrants and Remarkable Residents. All the featured birds were seen at the Spring Bird Count, and many of them can be enjoyed by you too with a little effort, enthusiasm and ideally a pair of binoculars.

YouTube: Richmond Park’s Birds: Marvellous Migrants & Remarkable Residents