Salisbury Cathedral peregrine tracked down in Guernsey

One of the peregrine falcons born at Salisbury Cathedral in 2020 has been spotted over 100 miles away from home.

Osmund, the only male chick from that year, has been seen on the coast of Guernsey - identified through the YK blue colour ring on his ankle.

It's common for peregrines to travel long distances in search of their own territory and a potential mate.

Osmund is reaching the age where he could start breeding, and has all his adult plumage now.

Ed Drewitt, from the British Trust for Ornithology, gave Osmund his blue ring as a 3-week chick on the Cathedral Tower and said:

“This is a first! Some Cornish peregrines have reached the French coast. However, I don’t know of any other colour-ringed birds, particularly from my area which includes Wiltshire and Avon, flying to the Channel Islands.”

Osmund arrived during the 800th anniversary year of Salisbury Cathedral and was named after St Osmund, the first Bishop of Salisbury who built the original cathedral at Old Sarum.

The peregrine's sister, Ela, Katherine and Honor, all had their names chosen in connection with the 'new' Salisbury Cathedral's early history.

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