Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy

TO the bird watcher the sight of a peregrine on the hunt or a heron catching a fish is a wonderful experience.

To a pigeon fancier, an angler or a gardener with a pond, then the view taken of these birds is often quite different.

Obviously, as a naturalist, I am pleased to see both species doing well.

I am also, I hope, a realist and I can understand why the peregrine and the heron annoy some people.

The peregrine in Lancashire is now doing rather well and from its position in the 1960s, when it was almost extinct, there are regular sightings.

We have to admit that it will kill pigeons but the peregrine is not the "mobile slaughterhouse" it is accused of being.

They only kill when they are hungry and, like lions, when they are fed they rest.

They may be more of a problem during the breeding season when they have young to feed. Research has proved beyond doubt that the peregrine's main diet is not racing pigeons but street pigeons and they also take a good number of gulls. I don't want to be drawn into an old argument but I am sure there is room for compromise between pigeon fanciers and ornithologists.

With regard to the heron, we have a different sort of compromise.

Most anglers are actually very good naturalists who not only enjoy catching fish but also love watching the wildlife, including goosanders and herons.

Those who make their living from farming fish and those who love having fish in the garden pond will take a very different view. A few simple remedies may work.

Try to cover the shallower areas with fine netting and avoid providing easy perches.

The heron is not a diving bird and if things are made difficult for them they will move on to easier pickings.

If you do this - and if your neighbour has a pond - perhaps you could warn them what you have done and tell them to watch out.

On the whole, however, the peregrine and the heron are a very welcome part of our country scene and I am all in favour of giving such creatures all the protection we can.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.