This morning just after 7am, I was watching 3 blackbirds eating the berries in a Rowan tree in my garden, then suddenly a huge bird swoped towards the blackbirds, they flew away quickly and the bird landed on a branch at the back of the garden. It was still a little grey outside, but I got the binoculars and couldnt make up my mind whether it was a Peregrine or would that be impossible for Helmshore, old railway line area/Gregory Fold?? I do hope its not a regualr visitor though!!!
Both are possible, but I'd say Sparrowhawk was the more likely in that habitat. The fact that you thought of Peregrine suggests a biggish bird, probably female Sparrowhawk.
They can get quite regular. Last winter a male used my feeder as a hunting site, picking off Greenfinches etc one by one.
I did see a Peregrine circling above Clough Head - coming from Musbury side heading to H'den Moorside 3 weeks ago on a Wednesday. i forgot to add it to the sightings.
