Sustainable Development Fund

Photo credit: Peter French

The Stoke by Nayland Peregrine Project was set up early in 2023 to provide the best possible conditions for peregrine falcons to nest on St Mary’s church tower in the village, whilst also helping people to watch the birds and learn more about their place in the wider Dedham Vale National Landscape ecosystem. 

The peregrine falcon is a powerful hunter that specialises in catching birds it preys upon at high speed. The peregrine is the fastest animal on the planet having been clocked diving at a mind-boggling 242 mph!  

A lone juvenile male peregrine was originally sighted in Stoke by Nayland in 2021 by two local photographers. Then, in September 2022, two falcons, a male and female, were observed together for the first time on the church tower.  

The birds were given the names Fred and Katie and quickly became a familiar site on the church tower and in the skies around Stoke by Nayland. 

To support potential breeding, plans were made to install a nest box on the tower. The box was built by Peter Merchant, an expert in bird of prey breeding and rehabilitation. Volunteers helped install the box in February 2023 and within a matter of days the birds began to visit. 

Subsequently a high-resolution camera was installed on the nest box ready for the breeding season, Funding for the video camera was provided by the Dedham Vale National Landscape Sustainable Development Fund with a grant of £1,995. 

The camera was specially designed and fitted to the tower by video streaming experts Wildlife Windows. The live stream is available for free on YouTube and the project’s website.