Chichester Peregrine Blog

Our monitoring equipment was down for a few days, so we’re not sure when the first egg was laid, either the 21st, or 22nd, but by the 23rd, there were two!  Another two are expected over the next few days, then after all four have been laid, mum will start to incubate them, and rely on dad to feed her and give her breaks.  We’ll then be able to predict when they’re due to hatch, and of course keep you posted on here.  Check back soon for more exciting news!

Mum has been seen on camera really scraping out the nest and making it comfortable for her eggs.  The webcam should be live soon so that we can all watch the minute by minute events.  No eggs as yet.NEW UPDATE – The RSPB will be at the Cathedral from 13th April to 10th July.  This is a new update on the dates which has just been confirmed, they will be in the Cloister Cafe garden from 13th April.

What looked to be a fairly unpromising, quiet day, turned out to be very exciting and action-packed!We arrived early afternoon to find dad sitting on his high spire perch, with no sign of mum.  Nothing happened for about an hour – then a female interloper arrived.  She obviously had her eye on the nest site, and seemed quite persistent, so dad had to work quite hard to chase her off with lots of squawking.  Mum appeared from wherever she’d been hiding, and sat guarding the nest turret while dad saw to the intruder.  He returned full of energy, perched briefly, the two of them chattered for a while, then, with a little encouragement from her, he flew down and they mated.  Must’ve been the adrenalin rush from the chase!It wasn’t long though before the female intruder returned – mum and dad were both very upset, flustered and squawking – again, he chased her away – this time giving us a tremendous display, diving very fast as if to attack the unwelcome guest, barely missing her – this continued for a couple of minutes, as he drove her further east, away from the cathedral.  He returned full of vigour, so pumped full of adrenalin he flew incredibly fast in an elaborate display around the cathedral, showing off and burning off his excess energy.  He eventually landed in the NE turret for a well-earned rest, presumably exhausted!  We all started breathing again, having been holding it during the excitement.Moments later, a buzzard appeared.  This didn’t concern our pair at all, he just flew lazily high overhead before drifting away.  This was followed shortly afterwards by a red kite, again a slow leisurely flight over the cathedral and away to the west.  A fantastic sight!Minutes later, we couldn’t believe it when we saw the female interloper back again – she really was very determined!  She came very close, flying right over the nest turret, and around the spire.  She stayed for a while, with our pair watching from their perches, squawking but not chasing.  We were stunned that neither of them did anything – after a couple of minutes, the intruder left of her own accord.  We wondered if she may be one of our pair’s daughters from a few years ago, but can’t be sure.Both birds were very fidgety for a while, understandably!  They delighted us by mating again!  Twice within an hour, both times caught on camera – incredible!Mum hopped into the nest after that, and chattered – dad got the message eventually and went to get her some food – he took it into the turret for her, and they stayed there together, enjoying a peaceful meal.We decided there probably wouldn’t be any more excitement, so packed up the tripods etc.  Just as we were saying goodbye, two buzzards appeared – we watched while they flew and frolicked for a minute or two just to the north of the cathedral.  They appeared to be a courting pair out enjoying the sunday afternoon together.  What a lovely way to end the exciting afternoon at the peregrines home!

They’ve been seen mating!  Mum hasn’t yet settled into her scrape, but it certainly won’t be long before she does.  We’ll be monitoring closely and keeping you informed when anything exciting happens, eggs appearing etc…

Both birds seem to be getting rather excited and twitchy.  Over the last week or so, I’ve seen them both on the nest turret, popping inside, and sitting on a pinnacle above looking in.  Yesterday, dad was squawking and fidgety, mum dropped into the nest turret and started making the chittering noise she makes during breeding time.  Won’t be long now!…

Both Mum and Dad were sunning themselves on the Cathedral late yesterday afternoon.  Mum inspected the nest turret and Dad watched with interest and then disappeared from her prying eyes by perching on the ledge below the south west turret – unusually low perch for him!  The presence of the rather large rickety ladder which has now been in place for a while on the west side of the spire seems not to be a problem for the birds.For those of you who heard the rumour that there was a dead peregrine on the side of the road by the Prebendal playing fields (Chartres Avenue) don’t panic – after investigation it was a juvenile gull which had probably chanced his life trying to get food from the middle of the road!!

Mum has been sitting on the nest turret, while dad looks on from his perch high on the spire.  I haven’t seen her on there all winter, so I guess she’s starting to get a bit broody…

After a few months of things being very quiet, I saw a bit of action today.  One of the peregrines flew in from the north and hovered slightly before landing on the central blind window.  Shortly afterwards, the other came in and dived at the perched bird, both then tumbling around each other in the air, squawking loudly.  They they flew for a while around over nearby buildings, chasing each other, before disappearing from view.  I definitely saw a male and female, but it all happened too quickly to see who started it – could be the beginning of courtship behaviour…

A  slightly unusual post – it’s 150 years since the spire of the cathedral collapsed and was subseqently replaced.  I arrived today to see a very, very long, rickety looking ladder on the balcony where the peregrines nest, going right up to the weathervane.  It’s held in place with ropes – I’m still glad I won’t be climbing it!  It’s there for the spire to be closely inspected and maintained.  The birds don’t seem at all fazed – they’re used to building works going on around their home over the years.

Both peregrines seen at the cathedral over the weekend.  Dad was guarding the nesting site from all-comers on a dull Saturday lunchtime and on Sunday in brilliant sunshine Mum was sunning herself on the west of the spire.  What a way to spend the weekend!