St Michael & All Angels Mount Dinham was the first church in the UK to be occupied by nesting Peregrine falcons following their near extinction in the late 1950’s. This decline was due to the unfortunate use of pesticides in the UK. Peregrines were first recorded at the church in 1988, and have bred successfully each year since 1997.

St Michael’s Peregrines are Devon’s most famous and publicised Peregrine falcons, featuring regularly in the local press, regional TV and BBC Radio Devon. Our Peregrines are also the most productive breeders in Devon with an average of 2.8 young reared each year. This year’s youngsters bring the total number fledged from St. Michael’s to 72, with successful breeding every year since they first bred in 1997, except in 2020 when three eggs were laid but none hatched, and 2021 when no eggs were laid. The current adult pair have been present since early 2022 and reared 11 young over the past three breeding seasons.

Nick Dixon is Devon’s urban Peregrine falcon expert and has researched and documented the Peregrines at St Michael’s since their first appearance here. Nick is a wonderfully engaging speaker and draws large crowds each year to St Michael’s for his talks during the national Heritage Open Days weekend in September. Here is his summary of the History of St Michael’s Peregrines from 1997 until 2019.

Update for 2024
The peregrines bred on St. Michael’s church again this year. The adult falcons used the old tray on the north east ledge of the tower to lay their eggs and four juveniles successfully fledged between 19 and 26 June.