Latest news with #LeaEllis
BBC News
15 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Peregrine falcon chick hatches at St Albans Cathedral
A peregrine falcon chick has successfully hatched after its parents' first set of eggs – known as a clutch – was destroyed by a chick is the first to hatch this year at St Albans Cathedral, with the new baby seen on a live belonging to the birds of prey were deliberately smashed in April, but the pair of falcons were not deterred and laid a second clutch."We're delighted to see the wonderful comeback these birds have made, demonstrating just how resilient they are," said Lea Ellis, engagement manager at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. The peregrine is a species of large crow-sized falcon and can travel at more than 200mph (320 km/h), making it the fastest diving bird in the falcon pair - who were named Alban and Boudica after local historical figures - captured the public's interest since producing chicks every year since new chick emerged on Monday from one of three eggs, with onlookers waiting to see if any brothers or sisters would Ellis said: "The hatching of their first chick this year signifies hope, and I am optimistic that we will see more chicks on the nest tray in the very near future."It is not unusual for the eggs to hatch hours or days apart and sometimes eggs do not hatch, as they can be infertile." She added: "For those watching the webcam, there will be times when the parents will be out of sight, but I'd urge people not to worry about this, as they will be close by to protect the chick or chicks."Hertfordshire Police opened an investigation into the vandalised clutch in April and previously said inquiries were "ongoing". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Improved cameras for peregrine falcon live stream
A cathedral has turned on new higher quality cameras to live stream a pair of peregrine falcons living in its roof. The birds of prey have nested on the roof at St Albans Cathedral since 2022. Last year more than half a million people watched the falcons, which are one of five breeding pairs in Hertfordshire, via a webcam available on the cathedral's website. A spokesperson said the "enhanced" cameras were bought by the cathedral after sponsorship from Luton-based company Opticron. The shingle nesting tray replicates the bird's natural clifftop nesting habitat. As peregrine falcons remain loyal to their nest site, the cathedral is now an established breeding ground. For four years viewers of the online video feed have witnessed the birds lay and hatch peregrine chicks. Lea Ellis, engagement manager at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust said: "The webcam give us all an opportunity to marvel at the wonder of nature first-hand and enjoy the wellbeing benefits that come with that. "I'm hopeful that we'll see more chicks successfully hatching this year." St Albans Cathedral dates back 1700 years and is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. Canon Will Gibbs added: "This is wonderful news and yet another expression of our core commitment to the environment and all creation and to the cathedral and its grounds being a place of welcome for humans and animals alike." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Three falcon chicks hatch in cathedral nest Falcons return to cathedral for third year in a row Live stream of cathedral's falcon pair launched St Albans Cathedral Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
BBC News
24-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
New cameras for St Albans Cathedral's peregrine falcon live stream
A cathedral has turned on new higher quality cameras to live stream a pair of peregrine falcons living in its birds of prey have nested on the roof at St Albans Cathedral since year more than half a million people watched the falcons, which are one of five breeding pairs in Hertfordshire, via a webcam available on the cathedral's website.A spokesperson said the "enhanced" cameras were bought by the cathedral after sponsorship from Luton-based company Opticron. The shingle nesting tray replicates the bird's natural clifftop nesting peregrine falcons remain loyal to their nest site, the cathedral is now an established breeding four years viewers of the online video feed have witnessed the birds lay and hatch peregrine chicks. Lea Ellis, engagement manager at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust said: "The webcam give us all an opportunity to marvel at the wonder of nature first-hand and enjoy the wellbeing benefits that come with that. "I'm hopeful that we'll see more chicks successfully hatching this year." St Albans Cathedral dates back 1700 years and is the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Will Gibbs added: "This is wonderful news and yet another expression of our core commitment to the environment and all creation and to the cathedral and its grounds being a place of welcome for humans and animals alike." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
