A QUESTION mark continues to hang over peregrine falcons at the Jumbo Tower which may or may not be breeding.

Word circulated over Facebook recently of one having become two since the Gazette last reported on the bird of prey in May.

Several bird enthusiasts rushed to the site at Balkerne Gate to photograph the elusive species - some of whom had never spotted a peregrine before in Colchester.

However, wildlife experts say there has been no evidence of peregrine falcons breeding here this year.

Until then the birds pose minimal threat to upcoming developments at the water tower as they have "little to no protection" outside of their breeding season between March and May - and a further two months afterwards while chicks are taught to hunt.

Gazette:

Kieren Alexander, biodiversity project officer at Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "In terms of the law, they are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which this makes it illegal to recklessly and intentionally disturb them while breeding, or near the breeding season.

"If this law is broken, it can result in £5,000 fine or six months in prison.

"It's fantastic news sightings have been reported recently on and around Jumbo and also in the Hythe area.

"It would be worth people looking out for territorial behaviour such as food passing and increased interaction between the birds in spring."

Peregrine falcons are renowned for their speed with the fastest ever recorded being 242mph during its hunting stoop.

They are loyal to their territory and should the pair choose to stay at Jumbo, appropriate mitigation measures should be taken by providing another nearby nesting location or designing any development schemes in a way which allows nesting to continue.

Paul Ost, 59, who has been an amateur photographer for five years, feels the peregrines could become a tourism attraction.

He said: "In Norwich Cathedral, the public can watch their activities through a webcam so something similar in Colchester might be good and it would certainly highlight Jumbo a bit more."

Keen to photograph birds of prey, Sharon Raubach Shrimpton, from Colchester, was also delighted at the news.

She added: "I will be visiting Jumbo on a regular basis now to keep an eye on them and see if they ever become a pair and breed.

"I'm unsure of what sex they are so this should be an interesting development."