Record-breaking year for peregrines nesting in NI quarries

Ninety-two young peregrine falcons fledge from 37 nests in quarries in Northern Ireland 

IT has been a record year for peregrine falcons nesting in Northern Ireland’s quarries, with no fewer than 92 young fledged from 37 successful nests.

Peregrines were first found nesting in a quarry in north Antrim in 1978 and over the last 47 years the number of pairs using this type of habitat has increased dramatically with over 80 sites occupied at some point.

In 2025 more than 60% of the Northern Ireland’s peregrine population were using quarries, with 75% of these still being used for rock extraction. Normal quarry activities seem to have no impact on the nesting peregrines – indeed Northern Ireland’s quarry population is the most successful in the UK, doing much better than natural habitats such as Scottish sea cliffs or the high cliffs of the Lake District.

The Northern Ireland results were reported by Jim Wells, who has been studying the species for 49 years along with other members of the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group.

Commenting on the 2025 season to the Mineral Products Association Northern Ireland (MPANI), Mr Wells said: ‘Our peregrines have had a great season and much of the credit for this success must go to the many quarry owners, managers, and staff who have done so much to protect their nesting pairs.

‘From Fermanagh to the north coast, I find that quarry workers are very positive about their peregrines and other wildlife and work to ensure that they nest successfully. They are also quick to alert Raptor Study Group members if any problems arise, which I am pleased to report happens very infrequently.

‘All the suitable quarries west of the Bann have now been occupied but there are still vacant sites in the Belfast Hills and parts of County Down. I am hopeful that the increase will continue, as in 2025 we found no fewer than five new quarry sites, including two which were reported to us by quarry staff.

‘While I and other fieldworkers spend many hours checking quarries, I have no doubt that we have not found all the pairs in Northern Ireland and would welcome any information that MPANI members have about this iconic bird of prey. The Raptor Group can be contacted at: raptorofficerni@gmail.com