Can you spot Salisbury Cathedral's peregrine falcons?
The juvenile birds are taking their first flights
Last updated 12th Jun 2021
The peregrine falcons are starting to fledge from the Salisbury Cathedral nest box and we are being asked to look up at the skies above the city, to see if we can spot them.
If you visit the Cathedral Close in June you might see the Peregrine's testing their flying skills, two did this week!
The resident female laid her first egg of the breeding season in March and by April three others were laid and a the four eggs hatched, completing this year's family.
The chicks were given a distinctive orange ring around their legs, each with three letters on, that's to identify whether it's Flo, Eliza, Teddy or Xander.
TWO TOOK FLIGHTS THIS WEEK
On Sunday both females took off from the nest. Flo (ring TND and named for Florence Nightingale) came down in the cafe gardens at Salisbury Museum.
Kate, one of the Museum staff, was on hand to film Salisbury Cathedral's Nature Conservation Officer Phil Sheldrake collecting the youngster in order to return her to the Tower balcony.
Salisbury Museum posted a video of the them both at work on their Twitter page:
Phil is picked up shortly afterwards on the balcony camera depositing Flo on the nestbox, where she hangs around until she plucks up the courage to swoop off again.
Later in the day the other female, Liza, came unstuck behind the Chapter House, where she was found by Clerk of Works, Gary Price, who returned her to the Tower too.
IS THE LACK OF WIND CAUSING MISHAPS?
Experts think the warm weather and no wind mean there is very little 'lift' for the young birds, making it hard for the heavier females to get off the ground once they go down.
At one point all four chicks were on the balcony, hopping up onto and down from the wall, making identification very difficult.
You can watch them leave the nest on the Cathedral's live stream cameras.