Flight of the falcon

Peregrine falcon Gucci was injured after his first attempt at flying went wrong and he fell out of his nest at the huge chimney of Fawley Power Station.

Now, after being nursed back to health by the experts at the Hampshire-based Hawk Conservatory Trust, he is back home with his parent birds who have been nesting inside the tallest structure in Hampshire for the past 15 years.

The 14-week-old bird was picked up by staff at the power station with his sister Prada and taken to the trust in Andover after both were found injured close to the power station. Yesterday staff from the trust released him next to the 198m tall chimney.

Prada is expected to return to the nest in September when her wing has fully healed.

The two fledgling falcons have been fitted with radio transmitters so that staff at the power plant can keep track on them and monitor their progress.

Andy Hinton, a curator at the Hawk Conservatory Trust, said: "For most birds on their maiden flight it's a bit precarious and unfortunately it went wrong for Gucci. He has spent 28 days with us and has had a chance to get his strength back. He knew what he was doing but unexpectedly his father came along and was not too happy to see him which caused me a little bit of concern.

"But then he went and landed near his mum on a power line so it all looks like it was pretty much successful."

Nick Stockdale, station manager at Fawley Power Station, said: "We are very proud and pleased to have our Peregrines.

"Fawley Power Station may not be an obvious choice as a wildlife sanctuary but the Peregrines are a great example of how industry and wildlife can co-exist."

Peregrines are not considered to be globally threatened but in the 1960s and 70s they suffered from the devastating effects of pesticides.

Following a ban on the most toxic substance, numbers have recovered. They have also adapted to urban environments and now breed in built-up areas such as Southampton and Winchester.