Today, Tuesday 17 March, the live webcam overlooking the Peregrine Falcons’ nest tray at St Albans Cathedral has been switched on, inviting viewers across the globe to take a front-row seat high above the city.

The pair of Peregrine Falcons, who began capturing the public’s attention when their first chick hatched in 2022, are now breeding for the fifth successive year. One of only five breeding pairs in Hertfordshire, they have become a powerful symbol of urban wildlife success. Sighted on or around the Cathedral since early spring, these birds of prey, which typically mate for life and often remain loyal to their nesting site each year, have firmly established the Cathedral as their breeding ground.

The webcam, which has been sponsored by Opticron, who make a range of products, including binoculars and fieldscopes, offers viewers a unique bird’s-eye view of nesting, hatching and fledging. 

Lea Ellis, Engagement Manager at Herts and Middlesex Trust said:

"More and more people are getting excited about following these majestic high flyers, with more than half a million views recorded on the Cathedral’s webpage last year and an increased number following the Peregrines' journey in the media and on socials - proof that these magnificent birds have truly captured hearts.

“The Trust is continuing to connect with communities encouraging them to 'choose the wild life' and take action to protect and restore nature. This fantastic webcam gives everyone a chance to appreciate the 'wow' factor and have a unique opportunity to see just how amazing nature is, and it's happening right over our heads!  I’m hopeful that we’ll see more chicks successfully hatching this year, whilst getting a boost of wellbeing at the same time."

Pete Gamby, Sales and Marketing Manager at Opticron said:

“We’re pleased to once again be able to support this year’s Peregrine web camera project. The HD web camera, of which we supported the installation last year, will hopefully provide another exciting few weeks of insight into the lives of these magnificent raptors. It’s another fantastic opportunity for us to continue our long-standing association with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and to do what we’ve always done – bring wildlife closer to people. This year we’re supporting the costs of the video streaming service so that hundreds of thousands of people get to experience another year of Peregrine life atop the iconic St Albans Cathedral.”

Over the past four years, the pair of falcons have successfully raised ten young through to fledging, and there have been subsequent sightings of their offspring in Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Hampshire, and most recently in London Colney, just two and a half miles from St Albans City centre. But the Peregrine Falcons breeding journey has not been without complications. In April last year, the bird’s first clutch of eggs was destroyed and a huge outpouring of public upset followed. Defying the odds, the pair mated again in 2025 and made a remarkable comeback, laying a second clutch of eggs and raising three healthy chicks through to fledging. A recent statement from Herts Police confirms that their investigation into last spring’s incident remains with the CPS.

The Peregrine’s nesting tray, which the webcam focuses on, replicates their natural cliff-top nesting habitat and was purposely installed high up on the Cathedral, to an area that the birds were known to be favouring back in March 2022. The shingle enables the birds to make their shallow nest 'scrape', which is what they would do in a natural nesting site, and provides them with a safe place to lay their eggs. 

A powerful bird of prey with blue/grey plumage, a white face and a contrasting black moustache, the Peregrine Falcon is extremely quick and agile. It holds the record for being not only the fastest bird in the world, but also the fastest member of the animal kingdom with a diving speed in excess of 200 miles per hour. 

The number of breeding pairs of Peregrine Falcons in Southern England is gradually increasing and are mainly using high buildings such as cathedrals, churches and office blocks in our cities, towns and some villages, along with some more natural sites such as quarries. Despite this, the St Albans pair are thought to be one of only five pairs breeding in Hertfordshire. Other pairs have bred in Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City and Wymondley.

Barry Trevis, who supplied the nest tray and has been studying breeding Peregrine Falcons across Hertfordshire to help ensure the species’ safety said:

“Numbers of Peregrine Falcons fell through the first-half of the twentieth century to critical levels in the 1960’s but today they are protected by law as a Schedule 1 listed species of The Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is now an offence to disturb the birds in any way, and this protection has had a positive effect on their numbers, which have slowly increased to a point where the national breeding population is now considered to be in excess of 1,700 pairs. 

“The webcam is an excellent tool in helping us to monitor the breeding success of these birds at St Albans Cathedral. Should they be successful, we will look to ring the chicks which can help provide information on the birds, giving us valuable insights to their survival rates and movements.” 

Very Revd Dean Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans Cathedral, said:

“It is a joy to see the Peregrines back at the Cathedral once again. The live cam allows thousands of people to share in this remarkable glimpse of the natural world, and we remain committed to ensuring the birds are safe and able to thrive here. Shaped by the story of Alban, this Cathedral has long been a place of sanctuary, and we are proud to see it offering a home to these remarkable birds.”

The Trust has a Peregrine Sponsorship Pack, available in both postal and digital forms, with all proceeds going towards supporting local wildlife. More information can be found at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/shop

The webcam will be switched on, on Tuesday 17 March, and can be viewed at stalbanscathedral.org/peregrine-live-cam