Peregrine falcons nesting on mobile phone mast fly away after EE signal problems - The Solihull Observer

Peregrine falcons nesting on mobile phone mast fly away after EE signal problems

Solihull Editorial 23rd May, 2019 Updated: 23rd May, 2019   0

PEREGRINE falcons nesting on a mobile phone mast in Solihull have flown away after causing a signal blackout for customers, says provider EE.

Angry customers had contacted us or taken to social media to lament poor phone signal.

But few had expected the source of the interference was, as we reported, nesting falcons whose nests cannot be disturbed under law.

An EE spokesperson said this week: “We’ve had confirmation the birds have now flown the nest, and we completed the necessary works on the May 16 so service has been restored.”




An EE spokesperson said the birds’ nests can cause problems for transmitters – as has been seen elsewhere in the country.

West Midlands Ringing Group member and police sergeant Ben Dolan praised the company for not disturbing the nest but questioned why signal had not been transferred to another mast.


Some customers had complained of intermittent coverage while others had claimed their signal had cut off entirely.

Residents were braced for a long wait as the birds typically don’t leave until the chicks hatch – which can take up to two months.

As we reported, a falcon was put down on Monday (May 20) after being shot in the wing and chest and found in a Meriden quarry.

Bird ringers are people who catch birds and mark them with an identifying band around the leg which enables them to be tracked and analysed.

Falcons – famed for flying at speeds of nearly 200mph to catch prey – are usually seen in the uplands of the north and west of England – and on rocky seacoasts.

We heard from Solihull residents who have taken photos of the ‘beautiful’ birds in recent weeks.

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