FOLLOWING years of persecution one of the wonders of the natural world has returned to Clee Hill.

The Peregrine Falcon is back on Clee Hill and has bred successfully this year.

It marks a remarkable success for a group that has been fighting for these remarkable birds of prey.

Following years of persecution, culminating last year in the tragic deaths by deliberate poisoning of the breeding pair of peregrine falcons and their young, a new pair of these rare falcons returned to Titterstone Clee earlier this year and in early April, nested on the cliff at the disused quarry, the same site as used the previous year.

The clutch of three eggs hatched five weeks later, and last month three chicks were observed being fed by their parents.

Now the young falcons have recently left the nest and can now be seen on the clifftop where they have been receiving flying lessons from their parents.

They will rapidly become accomplished flyers like their parents and are likely to over-winter together, only striking out on their own early in the New Year.

The Shropshire Peregrine Group was determined to stamp out the continued persecution of these magnificent birds of prey by a mindless minority who are campaigning to remove them from large areas of the country.

This year protection measures organized by the Group have included volunteer patrols by local residents, CCTV, and increased patrols by police. Quarry staff have also prevented unauthorized persons entering the quarry area.

As a result the peregrines have been able to nest undisturbed and have successfully raised their young. By returning to the area to breed, the birds have demonstrated their determination to survive in the Clee Hills as is their right.

"It is a sad reflection on society that such protection measures are necessary to prevent the continued persecution of these and other birds of prey,” said John Turner of the Peregrine Group.

“The return to the Clee Hills of the peregrine falcon should be a cause for celebration not rejection, and the Shropshire Peregrine Group will continue its' efforts to safeguard the survival of these magnificent falcons".

“On behalf of the group I wish to thank all those individuals and organizations who supported our work in any way again this year."

But the news of the return may not be welcomed by everyone.

A national group representing pigeon fanciers has called for licences to be able to move peregrines from areas where there are lofts.

They claim that peregrine falcons are major predators of pigeons and if they are in the vicinity of lofts regard pigeons as easily available ready meals.

Peregrine falcons like many birds of prey have suffered from persecution.

They are a large bird with white on the top and grey bars underneath with a white neck and noticeable black ‘moustache.’

Peregrines are noted for their speed of flight and stooping down on prey are amongst the fastest flyers. Unlike many birds of prey they tend not to glide and use rapid wind beats.