In the 1960s and 1970s the peregrine falcon, one of our most graceful birds of prey, almost became extinct because of persecution but mainly as a result of the indiscriminate use of pesticides.

They have now recovered and have been breeding successfully on the cliffs around Lancashire for some years. What I did not expect was to be shown the body of a peregrine which had died as a results of a collision with a conservatory window.

Even more of a surprise was that this was in Blackburn close to the canal.

What must have happened is that the peregrine must have swooped at a bird, perhaps a pigeon and collided with the glass. When you think that peregrines can swoop at their prey at speeds of around 150mph the bird would not survive a collision.

This is a sad story but there is a silver lining. This is that there are now enough peregrines around that they have begun to venture into towns.

After all there is no shortage of pigeons in our towns.

In recent years I have seen peregrines feeding their young on the 29th floor of a Manchester office block and from an old warehouse in Liverpool’s dockland.

Looking at this dead peregrine, however, it was impossible not to feel sorry to see the end of such a lovely bird.