September 12, 2025, by sustainablenottingham
Injured peregrine falcon rescued by staff and released back on campus
Back in June, a group of staff rescued a peregrine falcon found injured on University Park.
From their rooftop vantage point, staff in an office atop the Coates Building often watch a pair of peregrine falcons nesting on campus. One day, there was a lot of noise and the female was seen to be highly distressed. Avid bird watcher and RSPB volunteer Theresa Morley, soon noticed the male peregrine lying injured nearby.
The rescued male peregrine falcon
With help from colleagues Sally Hanford, Alvaro Roberts and John Horton, the raptor was captured and taken to Brinsley Animal Rescue. There, vet George – a UoN graduate – diagnosed a fractured leg. The injury was close to the joint, preventing it from being pinned. But, as the bones were aligned, chances were high they would naturally fuse back together correctly.
The raptor was transferred to an RSPCA rescue centre in Swindon with a specialist avian surgeon. No operating was needed but plenty of rest, monitoring and physio followed. Two months and a four-hour car journey later and the peregrine has now been successfully released back onto University Park, much to the delight of his mate. Peregrines mate for life and use the same nest sites year on year.
Those involved in the rescue and rerelease. From left to right: Sally Hanford, Jon from Brinsley, Emily from RSPCA, John Horton and Theresa Morley.
Arguably the fastest animal in the world, the peregrine falcon is making a comeback in the UK after years of persecution. Whilst traditionally nesting on cliff edges, they can how be found atop tall buildings and are often actively encouraged to keep pigeon numbers under control. There is at least this one breeding pair on University Park and they can often be seen and heard on the tower, chimney and other tall building around campus.
Brinsley Animal Rescue is a Nottingham charity run by volunteers and funded by donations. All money raised goes directly into helping animals.
At Brinsley Animal Rescue he wasn’t too happy being examined
Thank you to all the staff involved in the rescue, those at UoN and the animal rescue centres. Theresa and Sally, who have both since left the university, returned to watch the release.
Find out more about the wildlife on our campuses.
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