Worcester Cathedral is delighted to have welcomed back its family of peregrine falcons this week.
After showing promising signs of nesting and the Cathedral’s livestream launching earlier this year, the mated pair - named Peter and Peggy by Cathedral followers (Mr and Mrs P for short) - seemingly rejected the old nest site and disappeared for a time. The livestream was shut down, and following weeks of speculation, the ‘Peregrine Falcons in Worcester’ team announced that the pair had in fact nested elsewhere in the City Centre.
The team closely monitored the nest, and last week the three healthy chicks began to fledge. Despite going missing intermittently over the following days all three chicks followed their parents and made their way to the Cathedral, which they now appear to be using as their base for flying and hunting lessons.
As a result, the livestream has been relaunched and, although there may not be lots of activity to see, viewers can certainly catch glimpses of their comings and goings. Mr and Mrs P can be seen on camera most days, usually visiting between 4am and 5am.
But viewers need not set their alarms, as there is a 12 hour play back function on the livestream. On Tuesday morning Mr P spent a good 10 minutes in the nest, with Mrs P popping in briefly for a visit.
The Interim Chief Operating Officer at Worcester Cathedral, Lynsey Breeze, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome our peregrine family back to the Cathedral.
“Following the sad events of last year, I am told it is not unusual for them to reject the site the following year. The avid team of volunteers at Peregrine Falcons in Worcester have been monitoring the situation closely and providing regular updates and we were thrilled to learn that three healthy chicks had hatched!
“We really missed them this year, despite regular visits from the adult pair. So, it is just wonderful that they have now decided to come home and bring their beautiful fledglings with them!
“We really look forward to watching them thrive over the coming weeks. This homecoming gives us hope that they may nest here again next season.” Peregrines love Cathedral towers because they are similar to their natural habitat nesting sites, which include quarry faces, sea cliffs, and mountainsides, as they like to have a high prospect looking over the area of their territory, which Cathedral towers and other tall buildings in cities provide.
The livestream can be viewed on the Cathedral's YouTube channel online.
