Peregrine falcons, who captured residents' interest back in 2022 with the birth of a chick, have returned to St Albans Cathedral, with a popular web-cam feed back up and running.
One of only five breeding pairs in Hertfordshire, the couple have been sighted on and around the landmark since early spring, and can once again be followed using the cathedral's website.
Last year, the falcon-cam - situated within the birds' nesting tray - attracted 378,000 views.
Peregrine falcons normally mate for life and often remain loyal to their nest site each year, making the cathedral an established breeding ground.
Heidi Mansell, engagement manager at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust said: “The nesting tray which contains shingle to replicate the peregrine falcons’ natural cliff-top nesting habitat was purposely installed high up on the cathedral, to an area that the birds were known to be favouring in March 2022.
"The shingle provides the correct substrate for the peregrines to be able to make their shallow nest 'scrape', simulating the birds natural nesting sites and providing them with a safe place to lay their eggs.
“The trust is working with communities to inspire everyone to connect with and take action for local wildlife – being able to see these amazing birds in action gives everyone a chance to see the wonders of nature – in their homes and at our Peregrine Watch sessions, which we run in collaboration with the St Albans Local RSPB Group, in the cathedral grounds.
"It’s been wonderful that since the tray’s installation, we’ve all been on a journey where we have seen four chicks successfully fledge the nest.
"There has been so much interest in the birds, it’s great to know that we’ll be able to get a close up view of their antics once again and I’m hopeful that we will see more chicks in 2024.”
Other peregrine falcon pairs have bred in Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Welwyn Garden City and near Little Wymondley.
Barry Trevis, who has been studying breeding Peregrine Falcons across Hertfordshire, added: “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.
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“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.”
The webcam can be viewed by visiting www.stalbanscathedral.org/peregrine-live-cam
A schedule of viewing events, organised by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and the St Albans Local RSPB Group can be found at www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/events
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