Bird's eye view
VISITORS to New Lanark can now watch peregrine falcons flying the nest thanks to a 'Big Brother' style CCTV link.
The live link gives visitors to the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Visitor Centre a chance to observe the birds incubating eggs, bringing in prey and feeding the chicks.
There is also an opportunity to get closer to the birds with a protected site near the gorge where they are nesting known as Operation Peregrine.
Reserve manager Stephen Blow said: "Peregrine falcons have been breeding here for the last ten years producing a total of 25 fledglings. This year's Operation Peregrine started on March 22.
"There's a beautiful woodland trail to walk up to see them and this year we are delighted to be able to relay live CCTV pictures to the Visitor Centre to enable a wider audience to share the spectacle."
Stephen also confirmed they are hopeful there would be four new fledglings this year, which are expected to hatch in May.
The centre is hoping for better luck than last year when unfortunately one egg failed to hatch.
The falcons have certainly caught the imagination of the public with over 200 people hiking up to the Operation Peregrine site - just across the river from the gorge.
The birds generally nest in three different ledges at the gorge with one of their traits being, if their young try and compete for their nest, the adult male and female will chase them away.
The falcons are watched 24 hours a day by a dedicated band of workers with some working unbelievable hours for the cause.
Speaking at the gorge Stephen Kane, Peregrine protection officer, said: "Up here, we are between 160 to 180 feet away from the birds.
"We are extremely close to them, which is all to do with the birds being tolerant of us.
"Normally there is 36 days incubation and after six weeks of hatching they should be off the nest.
"I think the video link in the centre has made a big difference especially for a number of people who might not be able to get up here and it is raising the profile of the centre."
The Visitor Centre is in the Dyeworks Building at the bottom of New Lanark.
For a free map of the walks on the reserve and for up-to-date information on the peregrines drop into the Visitor Centre or call 01555 665262.
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Weather for Lanark
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 38 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South west
