This quarry in Co. Kerry has a lot of heavy machinery, noise, dust, and occasional explosions as limestone is quarried for building material, yet, amidst the noise and dust, two species of raptor are present.
The enormous excavation in a quarry in Co. Kerry, July 2013 (M.O'Clery).
Kestrels are nesting in a large cavity in the quarry face in one of the quieter corners, while Peregrine Falcons are seen every day in and around the artificial cliffs. The quarry owner is very keen on wildlife and is looking to provide a nesting ledge on the otherwise vertical cliff faces, for the Peregines to nest.
The owners were also able to provide some heavy machinery to allow us to inspect the Kestrel nest which otherwise would have been very difficult to access.
A bit of a lift - much easier than abseiling, or lugging 40ft ladders around! (M.O'Clery).
One of the Kestrel chicks which were in the nest at the quarry (M.O'Clery).
There were three eggs laid in the Kestrel's nest at this site in late May, and two chicks were present during our visit today, both close to fledging. Peregrines haven't nested in the quarry in several years, but with the owners help, and the provision of a suitable nesting ledge, it is hoped they will do so in the next year or so.
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Peregrine Falcon (Brendan Shiels).
