A BABY peregrine falcon living on the roof of Charing Cross Hospital has gone missing.
Buster, who is seven weeks old, was born on the roof of the hospital in Fulham Palace Road along with his brother and sister, but since learning to fly a week ago, he has vanished.
Natural history film maker Simon King set up a web cam to watch the birth and progress of the peregrine chicks, and it has a massive global following, with appeals for help finding him coming from as far away as Japan.
Nathalie Mahieu, a peregrine enthusiast who has been monitoring the birds of prey since the mother peregrine appeared at the hospital in 2007 said: “Buster has been missing since Saturday and as it was within the first week of him learning how to fly we are really worried.
“The first week of flight is a really dangerous time for these birds as they haven't quite learnt how to coordinate their wings and their feet yet. He may have dropped in to a garden so we are really appealing to residents in Hammersmith surrounding the hospital to check their gardens for him. He is in danger from foxes and crows if he is on the ground.
“We have had an astonishing level of concern from across the world. People desperate for news on his whereabouts from Japan, Canada and Albania as well as across London. We just hope he comes back safe and well.”
Anyone who thinks they may have seen him should call 07956 866 617 or email fabperegrines@gmail.com.
