Editor: Giving Bill Oddie a run for his money

Jun 6 2008 by Alison Lowson

IF you haven’t dropped into Perth’s very own ‘Springwatch’ then you are missing a trick!

The RSPB has joined forces with St Matthew’s in Tay Street to give Bill Oddie wannabees the chance to get up close and personal with the peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird.

Telescopes and binoculars have been set up to give folks a close-up view of these beautiful birds of prey, feeding and perching on the church’s steeple.

When I popped in the other day, I was really impressed by the scope of the project and the enthusiasm of both the church and the RSPB.

It was also interesting to hear how – after a few initial hiccups – the peregrines came to share roof-space with the Fair City congregation.

Apparently, when the falcons first moved into the church they caused a certain amount of consternation by dropping pigeon parts on wedding parties when they returned to their aerial eyries for a spot of lunch (the birds that is, not the bride and groom!).

However, their new found celebrity status seems to have prompted an improvement in table manners. The chap from the RSPB told me that the birds have modified their flight plan and now approach the steeple from the other direction.