Peregrine falcon nest installed 250 feet up mill chimney

The Bradford Peregrine Trail was launched today, connecting some of the most iconic buildings in the district.

The launch was marked with the installation of a peregrine nesting box on the top of the chimney at Lister Mill.

The project is led by Bradford Urban Wildlife Group, and is funded by Natural England and supported by Chris Packham.

Steeplejacks completed installation of a Peregrine nest box and livestream cameras on the 250ft high chimney in Manningham, which will be a key location for the trail.

The nest on the top of Lister Mill chimney - image by Highlife Rope Access (Image: Highlife Rope Access)

Earlier this year the project was granted planning permission, but the scheme divided opinion.

Although there were numerous letters to Bradford Council supporting the scheme, concern by many in the racing pigeon community led to a flurry of objections too.

Now the nest is installed, it is hoped the mill will soon host a family of Falcons in its newest and highest penthouse apartment.

Peregrine nest installation, image by Harry Jelley (Image: Harry Jelley)

This work marks a key milestone of the project which aims to boost the breeding success of resident urban Peregrine Falcons whilst bringing the benefits of engaging with wildlife to local people from across Bradford.

Paul Wheatley, volunteer conservationist and Peregrine Project Lead at Bradford Urban Wildlife Group, said “Peregrine Falcons have been resident at the chimney for at least two decades, but rarely have breeding success. So we hope our new nest box will give them a helping hand. Our volunteers, our project partners and our contractors, particularly our amazing steeplejacks from Highlife Access who installed the nestbox, have done an amazing job in bringing together this exciting project.”

Steeplejacks on the top of the Lister Mill chimney (Image: Bradford Peregrine Trail)

The scheme was also supported by Bradford 2025.

Jenny Harris, Head of Producing at Bradford 2025, said "We are delighted that our work with the mill is supporting the campaign to preserve the presence of the Peregrine Falcons in such a historic and special location of the city."

David Campbell, Biodiversity Officer at Bradford Council, said “Apex predators play a critical role in the ecosystem and present no threat to populations of our native songbirds. We understand that pigeon racers were concerned about the impact of the Peregrines, but it’s worth noting that the project is merely working to improve nesting conditions for birds already resident in Bradford and will certainly not attract more Peregrines, as has been suggested.”

The Bradford Peregrine Trail (Image: Bradford Peregrine Trail)

The Bradford Peregrine Trail currently links five locations across the region - Dalton Mills in Keighley, the Damart Factory in Bingley, Salts Mill in Saltaire, Lister Mills in Manningham and City Hall.