Latest news with #peregrinefalcon
BBC News
22-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
St Albans Cathedral peregrine falcon chicks leave the nest
Three peregrine falcon chicks have successfully fledged after their parents' first set of eggs was male peregrines were born in June at St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire, which has been home to a mating pair of falcons since looked as though no offspring would survive this year when someone crushed the first clutch in April, but a second set of eggs hatched cathedral, which has a webcam trained on the nest, said: "Thank you to everyone who tuned in and supported Alban, Boudica and the chicks. We can't wait to do it all again next year!" St Albans Cathedral also thanked the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, which has partnered with the church to support the birds of Ellis, engagement manager at the trust, said: "We're delighted to see the wonderful comeback these birds have made, demonstrating just how resilient they are." The nesting platform at St Albans has been livestreamed by cameras on the cathedral's April, viewers watched as an unknown person stood on eggs that had been recently this month, Hertfordshire Police said an investigation into the destroyed eggs was ongoing. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
BT water tower peregrines prepare to fledge
A pair of peregrine falcon chicks were expected to fledge their lofty perch in the next few juveniles were offspring of the first breeding pair to nest at a newly-constructed box on the water tower at BT's Adastral Park in Martlesham, near of staff have kept track of the birds' progress, having already seen many of their fledglings take flight there since 2019."It's been a complete saga here - once these two youngsters fledge, it will be 23 birds that have come from this nest site," said raptor expert Peter Merchant. "About 3,000 staff work here, and I often have 30 to 60 people gathered around me to hear more about the birds - the enthusiasm is great." He said the chicks had survived "against the odds" and were the offspring of birds who had been regularly seen fighting. Their eggs also took 44 days to hatch, far longer than the expected 33 young birds will be registered, ringed and have DNA swabs taken to allow the British Trust for Ornithology to keep track of their progress after they leave Martlesham in about five weeks. "Once they nest we can stand a chance of locating them," added Mr Merchant."We have got birds from East Anglia in Scotland and some in Amsterdam, so they do travel quite large distances." Engineer Robert James helped install this year's replacement box some 45m (147ft) from the said the birds had done the maintenance crew a "big favour" by keeping the pigeon population down."A lot of staff are interested; there is a live feed on YouTube and people, when they have time in the offices, can sit there and watch them," he added. "It's great to see that conservational part of the site." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Times
30-06-2025
- General
- Times
St Albans Cathedral falcons bounce back as three new chicks hatch
Three peregrine falcon chicks have been hatched at St Albans Cathedral in an unexpected sign of resilience for the species after eggs were destroyed on a live webcam in April. The chicks, all male, were weighed and ringed so their movement and behaviour can be tracked by conservationists. The peregrine falcon, the fastest creature on earth, is a protected species in Britain. 'We fitted a ring on each of their legs,' said Barry Trevis, an ornithologist who has ringed every peregrine chick hatched at St Albans. 'One is a British Trust for Ornithology metal ring, a bit like a licence tag. The other is a larger ring, which is coloured orange with black lettering, which means we'll be able to track them in years to come.' Ringing lets conservationists know where peregrines come from and how old they are, and shed light on their relationships and family trees. When a pair of the birds were spotted flying around St Albans in 2018, Trevis, in partnership with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT), stepped in to build a nest installed high up on the cathedral. The falcons, named Alban and Boudica, garnered a large following online after they started breeding in 2022 and a webcam was set up to broadcast the lives of their chicks. In April this year, someone destroyed three eggs in the nest. It is illegal to disturb or go near peregrine nests, and a police investigation is under way. The birds typically lay one clutch of eggs a year, so it was thought unlikely the St Albans pair would breed again, said Debbie Bigg of HMWT. 'The fact that they have come back, they've bred again this year [and] they've got three healthy chicks is just amazing and I think that really demonstrates the resilience of nature. 'I think that because [the eggs] were destroyed fairly early in the breeding season, fortunately they did breed again and they did lay again … They have defied the odds.' Peregrines as a species have defied the odds in their comeback from endangerment. Their population severely declined in the 1960s but protection efforts have been successful and there are 1,750 breeding pairs across Britain. The peregrines at St Albans attracted particular public interest by choosing to nest on an important landmark. Videos from the nest attract hundreds of thousands of views on social media. 'The fact that there's a webcam on the nest has given people a real insight into these birds and their behaviours,' Bigg said. 'They've seen them lay their eggs, and they've seen those eggs hatch, and they've watched those chicks through to fledging in previous years. 'So I think people build a real relationship with these birds and engage in nature.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peregrine chicks celebrated in city's pilgrimage
Three peregrine falcon chicks who were born against the odds are being celebrated during a cathedral city's annual pilgrimage. The chicks were born at a nesting platform on St Albans Cathedral after their parents' first set of eggs was destroyed by a vandal in April. "As we celebrate Alban Day and honour Britain's first Christian saint, it's a delight to witness new life flourishing right here in our city," said Canon Kevin Walton. Huge puppets – including peregrine falcons and Roman centurions – will be carried through the Roman city to retell the story of St Alban's execution. The procession attracts visitors from beyond Hertfordshire as it celebrates the legacy of the saint who became Britain's first Christian martyr about 1,700 years ago, having been executed in the early 3rd Century by the Romans. Canon Walton said: "Alban's story is still powerful today as he stood up for truth and justice by sheltering a persecuted stranger. "It is also the reason why the city is proud to be called St Albans." Festival activities will take place between 12:00 and 17:00 BST in the city centre and cathedral orchard. Local theatre company OVO will re-enact "impressive battle formations" as Roman gladiators, while families can take part in a giant jigsaw based on Roman mosaics, heritage trails and clay modelling. Businesses across the city will also be joining in the activities. Vivien Cannon, manager of the St Albans City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) group, said: "It's the first time we have teamed up with the cathedral for Alban Day and we are delighted to be part of this must-experience celebration of our city's rich and fascinating heritage. "We are proud to showcase our city's extraordinary story, its incredible business and retail offering, and our award-winning food and drink." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Peregrine chick hatches in 'wonderful comeback' Cathedral pilgrimage returns to historic route Falcon puppets join city's annual pilgrimage St Albans Cathedral St Albans City Centre BID
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Peregrine chicks celebrated in St Albans pilgrimage festival
Three peregrine falcon chicks who were born against the odds are being celebrated during a cathedral city's annual chicks were born at a nesting platform on St Albans Cathedral after their parents' first set of eggs was destroyed by a vandal in April."As we celebrate Alban Day and honour Britain's first Christian saint, it's a delight to witness new life flourishing right here in our city," said Canon Kevin puppets – including peregrine falcons and Roman centurions – will be carried through the Roman city to retell the story of St Alban's execution. The procession attracts visitors from beyond Hertfordshire as it celebrates the legacy of the saint who became Britain's first Christian martyr about 1,700 years ago, having been executed in the early 3rd Century by the Walton said: "Alban's story is still powerful today as he stood up for truth and justice by sheltering a persecuted stranger. "It is also the reason why the city is proud to be called St Albans." Festival activities will take place between 12:00 and 17:00 BST in the city centre and cathedral theatre company OVO will re-enact "impressive battle formations" as Roman gladiators, while families can take part in a giant jigsaw based on Roman mosaics, heritage trails and clay modelling. Businesses across the city will also be joining in the Cannon, manager of the St Albans City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) group, said: "It's the first time we have teamed up with the cathedral for Alban Day and we are delighted to be part of this must-experience celebration of our city's rich and fascinating heritage."We are proud to showcase our city's extraordinary story, its incredible business and retail offering, and our award-winning food and drink." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
