Another busy evening tonight; returning a downed Peregrine Falcon fledgling back to the nest - this time on top of the clock tower of Rochdale Town Hall.

This young lady has had a struggle with life so far - she fell (or was she pushed) from the nest at an early age and had us all on tenterhooks, but mum fed her separately and so she has grown up ok. Many people have been following her progress from hatching to fledging on the Town Hall's webcam.

Alas, todays' heavy morning rain brought her to the ground and she was rescued by the RSPCA and brought into care. Not content with the food she was offered, she patiently waited until teatime when a combination of better weather, quieter town centre, and me finishing work, enabled her to be returned to the nest - up above the clock tower. Thankfully she is of a good weight with plenty of 'meat' on her, and I'm sure mum and dad will ensure she has a good tea tonight.

My thanks to everyone involved, especially Sue for looking after her during the day, and the Town Hall staff for making me so welcome and accompanying me up all those steps to the very top of the building. I was nearly caught out by arriving at the top at two minutes to six; making a rapid descent to the floor below, so as not to be deafened by the bells chiming at six o'clock!

Let us hope she has learned from her experience and takes better care in future - for ANY young bird leaving the nest, life is indeed a very steep learning curve.

The photos show her in both in care earlier in the day, and placed back in the nest - however she had flown back round to the main roof by the time I had descended all those steps and I was safely back at ground level!

Nigel