This week, we’ve celebrated three healthy Peregrine Falcon chicks fledge the nest at St Albans Cathedral, which is a real boost for nature. Since they first bred at the site in 2022, this incredible Peregrine pair have now raised 13 chicks through to fledging – that’s some achievement and adds to the ongoing recovery of the species in the UK.

For the sentimentalists and Peregrine super-fans amongst us, let’s look back at how this breeding season unfolded:

• The webcam was switched on in mid-March, once there were signs of the female making a ‘scrape,’ preparing the nest to lay eggs. She went on to lay four eggs – a record number for this Peregrine pair.
• The first of those eggs hatched in the early hours of 9 May, closely followed by two others – the fourth egg finally hatched a few days later.

• Sadly, the fourth chick didn’t make it. It was outcompeted for food by its older and bigger siblings, and it was likely that extreme heat at the time had a part to play too. But that is nature…
• The three remaining chicks were looked after well by their parents, and we witnessed their rapid growth, saw their plumage develop, and watched their interactions.
• On 29 May, the three chicks were ringed and weighed. As well as providing useful data, the information gained enabled the sexing of the birds. It was found that there were two females and one male chick on the nest tray.

• This week, it was confirmed that all three chicks had fledged, and the webcam was switched off. This breeding season saw the webcam attract over half a million page views, with the birds entering the lives of many more people through news sites and social media channels.

Debbie Bigg, Communications & PR Officer at the Trust says:

“Now that the chicks have fledged, the webcam has been switched off. For the many people who have enjoyed tuning in on a daily, and sometimes hourly, basis, we know that may leave them with a void in their lives, but we hope there is comfort in knowing they have witnessed this success story first-hand. And we all look forward to the prospect of watching another successful breeding season unfold in 2027.

“Meanwhile, those who are already missing the birds are welcome to come along to the free Peregrine Watch events, which are being held at weekends in Verulamium Park, in the area known as Abbey Orchard. Volunteers from the Trust and the St Albans Local RSPB Group are welcoming the public to come along and watch the birds through telescopes and binoculars, which are provided. The knowledgeable volunteers will also be on hand to answer questions and help with spotting the birds. Now that the juvenile birds have fledged there should be plenty of action to see!”

The pair of Peregrine Falcons at St Albans Cathedral have captured the public’s interest since their first chick hatched in 2022. They have now successfully raised 13 chicks through to fledging. Peregrine Falcons normally mate for life and often remain loyal to their nest site each year, so the Cathedral is now an established breeding ground. We are hopeful that we will see another successful breeding season in 2027!

Find more information about the Peregrine Watch events go to hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/events