Flight training and a fire brigade mission: The young peregrine falcons at the Nuremberg Imperial Castle have fledged. The government of Middle Franconia announced on Tuesday that the first young bird had already flown on Sunday. On Monday, two of his siblings then mastered the jump from the take-off grid in front of the nesting site in the Sinwell Tower. The fourth young falcon will shortly make its first attempts at flight. This can sometimes lead to crashes, which is why the fire brigade had to be called out last week.
With a bit of luck, bird fans can watch the young birds during their flight training near the tower via a webcam. “During the first attempts at flight, a crash landing may well occur,” says the project homepage. “However, this does not necessarily mean that the animals are injured or in need of help.” The parents are always nearby and take care of the young birds.
According to the district government, the fire brigade and a falconer had to come to the aid of a young male bird last week. He had fallen on the roof below the nesting site during flight exercises. The rescuers brought the young bird of prey back to its siblings in the eyrie.
Since 2013, peregrine falcons have been breeding on the Sinwell Tower, which is around 40 meters high at the Kaiserburg. As in the two previous years, four young birds hatched in 2023. According to the district government, the offspring will stay near the eyrie for longer in the next few weeks. From August, the family association usually dissolves. Since 2013, 25 peregrine falcons have flown out of the Sinwell Tower.