The peregrine falcon — fastest animal on earth, diving at speeds exceeding 300km/h — nests on the crags above Cwm Idwal and is regularly seen from the valley floor, hunting over the lake and riding thermals above the Devil's Kitchen. To watch a peregrine stoop — that vertical fold, the breathtaking acceleration — is one of the most intense wildlife experiences available in Eryri. This is Experience #61 of the Snowdonia 100.
When and Where
| Best time | March–August, when adults are attending the nest |
| Location | Crags above Llyn Idwal, particularly the Idwal Slabs area |
| Viewing | Binoculars essential; sit quietly on the valley floor |
| Behaviour | Listen for alarm calls of other birds — usually the first indication |
The Bird
The peregrine recovered from near-extinction in Britain in the 1960s — when pesticide poisoning had reduced the Welsh population to a handful of pairs — to a current population of over 1,400 pairs. The Eryri population was central to that recovery. Peregrines are year-round residents at Cwm Idwal, though breeding pairs are most active between March and July. The stooping flight — a closed-wing dive from height that can exceed 300km/h — is triggered by the presence of prey birds (usually pigeons) crossing the valley.
The Watching
Find a position on the valley floor with a clear view of the crags and simply wait. The peregrine often sits motionless on a favoured rock perch for extended periods, invisible until it moves. When it does move — particularly when it launches from the crag and begins to gain height in preparation for a stoop — the quality of attention it demands from the observer is total. This is wildlife watching at its most undiluted.
Experience #61 of 100 — Wildlife category.
Independently written — Snowdon.com