First egg of 2021 for Chichester Cathedral's peregrines
It was laid over the weekend
Last updated 29th Mar 2021
Chichester Cathedral's peregrine falcons have laid their first egg of 2021 - with more possibly on the way.
A webcam set up to record the birds of prey as they make their home in the building's spire caught the moment, at just before 9am on Sunday (March 28th).
The birds of prey were first spotted making themselves at home there just over two weeks ago.
More than 60 peregrine chicks have been fledged at the Cathedral since 2001, after they were first seen on the tower back in the mid-1990s.
They can grow up to half a metre in length and have a wingspan of over a metre. They live for 15 to 18 years and are the fastest animals in the world, diving at speeds of just under 250 miles an hour to catch their prey.
The peregrine project is run jointly by Chichester Cathedral, the Sussex Ornithological Society (SOS) and local wildlife enthusiasts David and Janet Shaw who have been observing the birds since 2001.
Janet said:
“The peregrine pair are forging a strong partnership and everyone is hopeful of another successful breeding season at this stage.”
Initial observations suggest that the female is the one who has been in residence previously with her partner, affectionally named ‘Maverick’, with whom she raised eight chicks in the last two years.
However, this year a young male has appeared and Maverick, aged at least 16 years – an amazing feat for a wild peregrine – has not been seen since Christmas Eve.
The female peregrine will fiercely defend the roost when other males or females try their luck. As last year, a pair of ravens are nesting on another section of the Spire where they managed to fledge one chick last year.
The peregrines have been seen to dispatch other birds and attack the ravens when they try to approach their nest.
A Cathedral spokesperson said:
“Last year as we went into lockdown, we had a growing number of people from all around the world following the birds’ activities via the live-stream.
"It brought a great deal of pleasure to many people who were able to engage with them and follow their daily lives, from the safety of their own homes.
"If you spot the peregrines, please do share the moment with us using the hashtag #ChichesterPeregrines on social media.”