Chichester Peregrine Blog

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!

Mum and dad seen together sitting on the cathedral after having a very good meal.

Mum and dad have both been enjoying the sunshine of the last few days, yesterday afternoon both sitting on the south side of the cathedral, mum sheltered from the wind on a low ledge, and dad sitting higher up to keep a lookout.

In stark contrast to yesterday both Mum and Dad were enjoying the clean, crisp air of a winter Sunday morning on Chichester Cathedral.

Yesterday afternoon was grey and wet in Chichester.  I glanced up to check on the peregrines as I was passing, and ended up watching for a while.  Both were there, on the north side where it was slightly more sheltered, looking somewhat bedraggled from the rain.  Mum was sitting on the low ledge below the turret, preening, and Dad was restless, moving from perch to perch above her.  Around dusk, he got himself a quick meal from one of the larder turrets, and sat plucking and eating on the north blind window.  He didn’t seem inclined to share – it didn’t look big enough anyway.  I doubt if she’d have been impressed if he had!

Great to know that both peregrines were there later in the afternoon.  We managed a picture of one in the early afternoon.

I was watching both birds sunning themselves on the cathedral this afternoon, and quite a few people walked by, asking if they’re still around, is mum back yet, when will they have eggs, etc.  Well, as far as I can tell, mum never left – I’ve seen her and dad together several times over the Autumn/Winter, usually just sitting comfortably – no doubt enjoying the peace and quiet before the next brood disturbs them!

We expect courtship behaviour (dad feeding mum etc) to start soon, in few weeks time, then mating/egg laying during March.  All being well, eggs normally hatch towards the end of April.

Watch this space for updates…

What a beautiful day! There’s blue sky, sunshine and both peregrines are in residence on the cathedral!!

I saw dad on his own in his usual spot on Tuesday afternoon, but no sign of mum.  Yesterday I again saw him, but sitting on the nest turret. I walked around to see if I could spot mum, and spotted her on the E.central pinnacle.  Then I realised that dad wasn’t on the turret any more – maybe he’d moved to the pinnacle and it wasn’t mum after all…  I ran round again, saw one back on the turret, but the one on the pinnacle had gone – was it the same one, or were they playing both with me?  This went on for about ten minutes, until finally I saw one fly southwards – when it landed back on the SE panel of the spire moments later, I saw that mum was already sitting comfortably on the S panel, so dad had landed next to her.  Whew, at last, confirmation that they’re both still there enjoying sunsets together!