Peregrine Falcons lay new eggs at St Albans Cathedral after earlier clutch destroyed
A second clutch of Peregrine Falcon eggs has been laid at St Albans Cathedral after the first was destroyed in an incident last month, sparking widespread public upset
A pair of Peregrine Falcons nesting at St Albans Cathedral have laid fresh eggs just weeks after their initial clutch was destroyed on 7 April. The new eggs were laid on 4 and 7 May, with the possibility of more to follow. The incident prompted a police investigation and led to the temporary shutdown of a live webcam feed.
The birds first attracted public attention in 2022 when a chick successfully hatched. Since 2023, people have been able to follow their breeding season through a live webcam mounted on the Cathedral. The feed had drawn more than half a million views last year alone.
The webcam, sponsored by optics company Opticron, will be switched back on at 12.30pm on 7 May, allowing the public to follow the falcons once again.
Chloë Edwards, Director of Nature Recovery at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, said:
“It’s wonderful that the Peregrine Falcons have laid eggs for the second time in this breeding season, and it shows just how resilient nature can be — given the right habitat and conditions species will continue to thrive.”
“With the St Albans Cathedral Peregrines being one of only five breeding pairs in Hertfordshire, this is a much-needed boost for all those who cherish these remarkable birds of prey and champion our local wildlife.”
The Dean of St Albans Cathedral, the Very Revd Jo Kelly-Moore, said:
“These extraordinary birds have once again reminded us of nature’s strength and beauty. We are heartened by their return, and we remain fully committed to their safety and wellbeing.”
The Peregrine Falcon is a powerful bird of prey known for its speed. It can reach diving speeds of over 200 miles per hour, making it the fastest animal in the world. In Southern England, more pairs are now breeding on tall structures such as cathedrals and office blocks, though natural sites like quarries are also used.
Barry Trevis, a licensed bird ringer who monitors breeding Peregrines across Hertfordshire, said:
“Numbers of Peregrine Falcons fell through the first half of the twentieth century to critical levels in the 1960s, but today they are protected by law as a Schedule 1 listed species. This protection has had a positive effect on their numbers, which have slowly increased.”
He added:
“The webcam is an excellent tool in helping us to monitor the breeding success of these birds at St Albans Cathedral. Should they be successful, we will look to ring the chicks which can help provide information on the birds, giving us valuable insights to their survival rates and movements.”
The Wildlife Trust has launched a Peregrine Sponsorship Pack, with proceeds supporting local wildlife. More details are available at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/shop.
The live webcam will be available from 12.30pm on 7 May at stalbanscathedral.org/peregrine-live-cam.