Injured peregrine falcon trapped inside city centre skyscraper 48 storeys up saved by RSPCA

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

This is the magical moment a majestic peregrine falcon is released back into the skies above Manchester after getting trapped inside a city centre skyscraper - 48 storeys up. The bird of prey was discovered injured inside Elizabeth Tower on Pryme Street, near Deansgate.

The RSPCA believe she may have been chasing a pigeon when she flew through an open glass roof panel and became trapped inside. It's not known how long the bird was there for, but a contractor working inside the towering apartment building managed to safely catch her and alerted RSPCA rescuers.

They discovered the falcon, a female, had been flying repeatedly into the skyscraper's glass windows in a bid to get out and had a damaged wing. She was taken to a wildlife hospital for checks and treatment before being released back into the wild at Hulme Park in Hulme, Manchester.

In 2021, it was estimated there were just 13 pairs of peregrine falcons in the Greater Manchester area, nesting on urban buildings, mills, and quarries, the RSPCA said. Pairs have nested at Manchester, Rochdale, and Bolton town halls, and in mills in Stockport, Chadderton, and Wigan.

RSPCA officers have revealed how they took a towering lift journey up the glass-sided skyscraper to reach the stricken bird. A spokesman said: "The female bird was frantically flying into the glass walls of the building and may have been seriously injured had she not been caught by a contractor who was working on the floor and who alerted the RSPCA.

"After her ordeal she spent time recovering at a Cheshire wildlife hospital before being released back into the wild."

RSPCA animal rescue officer Helen Chapman and Inspector Debbie Beats showed their heads for heights to collect the stricken bird. Helen