First peregrine chick takes flight from Salisbury Cathedral

Rex has beaten his two sisters in fledging from their nest

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 8th Jun 2023

The first of this year's three peregrine chicks at Salisbury Cathedral has successful fledged.

Rex took his first flight from the parapet, 70 metres up, yesterday morning (Thursday 7th June).

His two sisters, Lily and Rose, are expected to follow in the coming days.

Off he goes! Rex takes his first flight from the base of the Salisbury Cathedral spire, as his sisters watch on

It comes as the RSPB's peregrine falcon experts have set up telescopes on the Cathedral lawns, trained on the nesting box area, ready to spot the fledging chicks.

We're welcome to take a look and speak to the charity's staff between 11.00am and 4.00pm most days throughout June.

They only won't be there on Sunday 12th, Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th, Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Wednesday 28th.

News of a Salisbury chick of the past

Meanwhile, the RSPB's traced one of the Salisbury Cathedral chicks born in 2021 to Hertfordshire.

Flo has taken up a nesting site in Welwyn Garden City, on the former Shredded Wheat silos.

Flo and her chicks, up in Hertfordshire

She's also got two chicks of her own up there!

The news is considered extra special, given that on average, only a third of peregrines make it through their first year.

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